"BRITAIN'S LONGEST SERVING MONARCH DIES AT 96"

QUEEN ELIZABETH II PASSES, CHARLES III IS KING

London, U.K. (JFK+50) Yesterday, September 8, 2022, Queen Elizabeth II* passed away at Balmoral**, her estate in Scotland.  The Queen, 96 years old, is Britain's longest-serving monarch.  Her son, the former Prince of Wales, is now King Charles III.

On June 5, 1961, President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy attended a banquet at Buckingham Palace.  Later, in a thank you note, JFK appreciated the "cordial hospitality" offered by the Queen and Prince Philip. 

The President wrote.."we shall always cherish the memory of that delightful evening."

President Kennedy presented the Queen with "a signed picture in a silver Tiffany's frame."

*Elizabeth Alexandra Mary (1926-2022) was born in Mayfair, London, U.K. & served (full-time) in the Auxiliary Territorial Service during WWII & ascended to the throne in 1952 (age 25) upon the death of her father, King George VI.

**Balmoral Castle is a large estate in Aberdeenshire, Scotland.  It opened in 1856.

JFK+50 NOTE

During her 70 year 7 month reign, Queen Elizabeth II met with 13 of the 14 presidents of the United States who served during the span of her reign.  The only president who didn't meet with her was LBJ. 

There will be a ten day period of mourning in honor of the Queen in the British Commonwealth.  

SOURCES

"Queen Elizabeth II Dies At Age 96," MSNBC Reports, September 8 & 9, 2022.

"Queen Elizabeth II has died, Buckingham Palace announces," BBC News, www.bbc.com/

"The True Story of How the Kennedys Met the Queen," by Caroline Hallemann, December 19, 2017, Town and Country, www.townandcountrymagazine.com/ 

 

 

Queen Elizabeth II & President Kennedy

Buckingham Palace

June 5 1961

Associated Press Photo

 

JFK'S FIRST BOOK PUBLISHED

WHY ENGLAND SLEPT PUBLISHED 75 YEARS AGO TODAY

New York City (JFK+50)  Three-quarters of a century ago today, August 1, 1940, twenty-three year old John F. Kennedy's first book,was published here in New York City by Funk, Inc.

The book, titled Why England Slept, adapted from Mr. Kennedy's senior thesis at Harvard University, was an analysis of Great Britain's delay in building up its military while Adolf Hitler's Third Reich was in the process of rearming.

The title of the book is based on the 1938 work While England Slept by JFK's hero Winston Churchill.

The introduction is  written by Henry R. Luce of Time Magazine. 

Mr. Luce writes:

"In recent months there has been a certain amount of alarm concerning the 'attitude' of the younger generation.  If John Kennedy is characteristic of the younger generation--and I believe he is--many of us would be happy to have the destiny of the Republic handed over to his generation at once."

First Edition 

Original Price $2

Why England Slept sold 80,000 copies in Great Britain and the United States. Proceeds from sales in the U.K. were donated to the town of Plymouth which had been bombed by the German air force.

According to  a 2005 book review available at www.TaoYue.com...

"'Why England Slept' is not overwhelmingly brilliant....but it does provide an intriguing glance at the attitude of 1940 and at the formative years of a legendary American political figure of the 20th century.  

Kennedy's articulate style forms a lucid account of all the facts and occasionally flashes into a foreshadowing of future brilliance."

According to an article in UK's Daily Mail dated December 6, 2013, a signed copy of JFK's first book was on the auction block.  The copy, said to be purchased by the owner in Stamford, Lincolnshire in 2001, was intended to be presented to Queen Elizabeth II while President Kennedy was visiting the UK in June 1963.  The book was reportedly never given to the Queen because she was in Scotland at the time of JFK's visit.*

The article includes a photograph of the following inscription inside the book...

"To Elizabeth with affection, John F. Kennedy"

and the following phrase adapted from his inaugural address...

"we must not fear to negotiate"

The copy was being auctioned in December 2013 by Picollecta.com/.  JFK+50 does not know if the book sold.

*JFK+50 UPDATE

We have found verification that President Kennedy visited Birch Grove in Sussex on June 30, 1963 and attended a luncheon with Prime Minister Harold Macmillan.  We cannot, however, find evidence of the whereabouts of the Queen on this date.  

SOURCE

"Signed copy of JFK book Why England Slept, meant as present for Queen Elizabeth before his assassination, to go under the hammer," Daily Mail, December 6, 2013, www.dailymail.co.uk/

JFK+50 Note:

We have seen many copies of JFK's signature but in all honesty the writing alleged to be his in this book does not look anything like we've seen before.  It certainly does not even resemble JFK's handwriting in 1963.  JFK's signature has been the subject of much controversy over the years.  Authentication could only be done by a reputable, trained and experienced autograph expert.  Also, perhaps some other sources could shed light on whether President Kennedy did, in fact, sign a copy of his book for the Queen.

WINSTON CHURCHILL

WINSTON CHURCHILL BECAME BRITISH PM 75 YEARS AGO TODAY

London (JFK+50) Neville Chamberlain resigned as Prime Minister of Britain 75 years ago today, May 10, 1940 and was replaced by Winston Churchill.

As Churchill assumed the position, word came that Hitler's forces had invaded both Holland and Belgium.

Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, was born at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England on November 30, 1874.  He was the son of Lord Randolph Churchill and American socialite, Jennie Jerome.  Lord Randolph's father, John Strange Spencer-Churchill, was the 7th Duke of Marlborough.

Winston Churchill was 1st educated by a governess in Dublin, Ireland but later had a poor academic record in school.  WC graduated from Royal Military College.  In 1904, WC married Clementine Hozier.

After a short service in the military, WC was elected to Parliament in 1900 & became the First Lord of the Admirality in 1911 and served in that capacity again in 1939.

In May 1940, WC became PM and served until 1955. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.  Known for his great oratory, WC said he wrote every word of his speeches and spent an hour working on one minute of a speech.

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy said:

"In the dark days...when England stood alone...he mobilized the English language and sent it into battle."

One of the most quoted Churchill lines is:

"Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duty & so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say "This was their finest hour.'"

Winston Churchill

May 20, 1940

Imperial War Museum Photo

KENNEDY & DE GAULLE FINISH SUMMIT

June 2, 1961


KENNEDY & DE GAULLE FINISH SUMMIT


Today the Presidents of the United States & the French Republic concluded their meetings in Paris.


The major issues discussed included aid to Third World countries, the strength & security of the Atlantic Alliance & the relationship of the West with the Communist bloc nations.


Mr. Kennedy & Mr. De Gaulle reaffirmed their mutual commitment to Berlin.


JFK spoke at a press luncheon at the Palais de Chaillot.


Mr. & Mrs. Kennedy will leave Paris tomorrow morning on Air Force One for Vienna.

              President Charles de Gaulle


June 2, 1961


GOVERNOR WALLACE STILL PLANS TO BLOCK THE DOORWAY


Governor George C. Wallace of the state of Alabama said today that he still has plans to personally block the entrance of two African-American students into the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa.


The Governor said that his state cannot guarantee the safety of the two students who plan to enroll.

     Foster Auditorium & Malone Plaza
     University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa
          Photo by Ttownfeen (2010)


June 2, 1956


JFK SPEAKS TO GRADS AT ROCKHURST


Senator John F. Kennedy spoke at Rockhurst College in Kansas City, Missouri today.


He urged the United States government to speak out against colonialism.


JFK said that even though such a position will be frowned upon by our allies, "it will displease even more the Soviets who have hypocritically assumed the role of freedom's defender."

          Rockhurst College Bell Tower
              photo by Jon Bell (2009)


June 2, 1953


QUEEN ELIZABETH II IS CORONATED


Queen Elizabeth was formally crowned Queen of the United Kingdom today at Westminster Abbey in London.


The proceedings were broadcast live on both radio & television.


The Queen, 27 years old, was accompanied by her husband, Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, on a 5 mile procession in which they rode in a gilded horse-drawn carriage.


After the parade, the Queen & her family waved to the crowd of well-wishers from the balcony of Buckingham Palace.*


*Elizabeth II is still the reigning Queen today at the age of 85.

       Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Philip
                          June 2, 1953
           Library & Archives of Canada


June 2, 1950


CONGRESSMAN KENNEDY SPEAKS AT RIVERDALE


JFK's old school, Riverdale,  welcomed him back today as he was the guest speaker at their commencement exercises.


The Congressman addressed the Riverdale-on-Hudson School class of 1950.


He said the United States requires young "men & women of integrity & courage in public service".


JFK was a student at the school from 1927-1930.

           Riverdale Country School
                  Bronx, New York
         Photo by Anthony22 (2006)


June 2, 1924


COOLIDGE SIGNS INDIAN CITIZENS ACT


President Calvin Coolidge signed into law today the Indian Citizens Act.


This legislation will grant automatic American citizenship to Native Americans born in the United States.


After the signing ceremony, the President posed with 4 Osage tribal leaders.

            President Calvin Coolidge


June 2, 1886


MAY & DECEMBER WEDDING IN JUNE AT THE WHITE HOUSE


President Grover Cleveland & Frances Folsom were married in a ceremony which took place at 7 this evening in the Blue Room at the White House.


The invited guests were only relatives, close friends & the President's cabinet & their wives.


The President is 49 years old while his wife, the daughter of his late law partner, is 21.  Mrs. Cleveland will be the  youngest 1st Lady in US History.


This was also the 1st time a sitting President has been married at the White House.


Mrs. Cleveland was born in Buffalo, New York & attended Wells College in Aurora, New York.

          Frances Folsom Cleveland
          Library of Congress Photo


The couple were joined together by the Rev. Byron Sutherland.  Music was provided by John Philip Sousa & the United States Marine Band.


Although today was a regular "working day" for the President, he & the 1st Lady are off for a 5 day honeymoon in the Cumberland Mountains of western Maryland.*


*The Clevelands will have 3 daughters & 2 sons, the 2nd child, Esther born in 1893, was the 1st child to be born in the White House.

  Presidential Wedding in the Blue Room