THIS SIDE OF PARADISE

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 1900

F. SCOTT FITZGERALD PUBLISHED 1ST NOVEL 96 YEARS AGO

New York City (JFK+50) F. Scott Fitzgerald published his first novel, This Side of Paradise, ninety-six years ago today, March 26, 1920.  The novel examines the lives and morality of youth of the post-World War I era.

The 3ooo copies making up the First Printing sold out in only three days.  By the time the 12th Printing had been completed, 49,078 copies were sold.

The book's publisher was Charles Scribner and Sons.  Critic, H.L. Mencken called the work... the "best American novel I have seen of late."
Most of Fitzgerald's characters, including Amory Blaine, the protagonist, were based on people in the author's own life.

In the 1920s, Fitzgerald published his masterpiece, The Great Gatsby.

*Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald (1896-1940) was born in St. Paul, MN & named after his famous second cousin, author of the Star Spangled Banner.  FSKF graduated from Newman Prep School in New Jersey in 1913 & attended Princeton University before joining the US Army as a 2nd Lt.

After the war, FSKF married Zelda Sayre at St. Paul's Cathedral in NYC. They began a life of glamorous parties and luxurious living.  By 1925, they were living in Europe where Fitzgerald wrote "The Great Gatsby". 

Zelda Fitzgerald died in a sanitarium and her husband died of a heart attack at the age of 44.

F. Scott Fitzgerald

"The World's Work"

June 1921

CAPTURE OF HUE, SOUTH VIETNAM

NORTH VIETNAMESE ARMY CAPTURED HUE 40 YEARS AGO TODAY

Hue, South Vietnam (JFK+50) Forty years ago today, March 26 1975*, the city of Hue**, located in the northernmost part of South Vietnam, fell to the North Vietnamese Army.

The city was captured without resistance after a three day siege.  Troops of the South Vietnamese Army "broke and ran" from other threatened areas. Chu Lai was also evacuated.

NVA forces captured Da Nang, the second largest city in South Vietnam, on March 30 along with 100,000 South Vietnamese soldiers after they had been abandoned by their commanding officers.

By April 1, 1975, the NVA launched its final push toward the South Vietnamese capital, Saigon, which fell by the end of the month.

*This and additional dates listed are based on United States time zones.

**Hue, Vietnam was the Imperial Capital City of the Nguyen Dynasty 1802-1945.  With a population of 340,000, it is located in the central part of the country on the banks of the Perfume River and a few miles from the South China Sea.

Buddhism is prominent in the city and it was in 1963 that Buddhist monk, Thich Quong Duc traveled to Saigon to protest the anti-Buddhist policies of the South Vietnamese government by setting himself on fire.

Railway Station in Hue

April 15, 2014

Photo by Tlonorbis

F. SCOTT FITZGERALD PUBLISHES FIRST NOVEL

New York City (JFK+50) F. Scott Fitzgerald published his first novel, This Side of Paradise, ninety-five years ago today, March 26, 1920.

The novel examines the lives and morality of youth of the post-World War I era.

Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and was named after his famous ancestor, Francis Scott Key, the author of the Star Spangled Banner.

The book's publisher was Charles Scribner and Sons.  Critic, H.L. Mencken called the work... the "best American novel I have seen of late".

*Fitzgerald would marry Zelda Sayre a week later and they would begin a life of glamorous parties and luxurious living.  By 1925, they were living in Europe where Fitzgerald wrote his most famous work, "The Great Gatsby".  Zelda Fitzgerald died in a sanitarium and her husband died of a heart attack at the age of 44.

Camp David Accords

CAMP DAVID ACCORDS SIGNED 35 YEARS AGO 

Camp David, Maryland (JFK+50) Thirty-five years ago today, March 26, 1979, President Anwar el-Sadat of Egypt and Prime Minister Menachem Begin of Israel signed a monumental peace agreement here at the presidential retreat in Maryland.

The Camp David Accords, sponsored by President Jimmy Carter, officially ended thirty years of hostilities between the two Middle-Eastern nations and establishes diplomatic and commercial ties as well.

Began and Sadat were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978. 

The two middle eastern nations formally opened diplomatic relations with each other in 1982.

 Sadat, Carter and Begin 

at Camp David

"THIS SIDE OF PARADISE" PUBLISHED

Ninety-four years ago today, March 26, 1920, F. Scott Fitzgerald published his first novel, This Side of Paradise, which examines the lives and morality of youth of the post-World War I era.

Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and is named after his famous ancestor, Francis Scott Key, the author of the "Star Spangled Banner".

The book's publisher was Charles Scribner and Sons of New York.

H.L. Mencken wrote that This Side of Paradise was the...

"best American novel I have seen of late".

Fitzgerald was wed to Zelda Sayre a week later and they began a life of glamorous parties and luxurious living.  

By 1925, they were living in Europe where Fitzgerald wrote his most famous work, "The Great Gatsby".

Zelda Fitzgerald died in a sanitarium and her husband died of a heart attack at the age of 44.

JFK-MACMILLAN DISCUSSED LAOS IN KEY WEST

Key West, Florida (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy and British Prime Minister Harold MacMillan met for the first time 53 years ago today. March 26, 1961, here in Key West and focused their discussions on the situation in Laos.

The two free world leaders were determined to end the civil war in Southeast Asia between the Royal government and the pro-Communist rebels.

In a joint statement they said:

"The situation....cannot be allowed to continue to deteriorate."

JFK and Harold Macmillan

 on the USS Sequoia

April 6, 1961

Photo by Abbie Rowe

They urged the Soviets to accept a British cease-fire proposal which would be arranged by the International Control Commission composed of representatives from Canada, India and Poland.

COURT RULES IN BAKER V. CARR

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) The Supreme Court of the United States, led by Chief Justice Earl Warren, handed down its landmark decision 52 years ago today, March 26, 1962, in Baker v. Carr.

The majority ruling was that Federal courts can determine whether state legislatures reapportionment  plans are constitutional.

The case, which had been argued for almost a year, was brought by Charles Baker, a Shelby County, Tennessee Republican who complained that Tennessee had not redistricted, as required by the state constitution, since 1901.

The failure to redistrict had resulted in a higher value of votes in less populated rural counties.

The defendant was Tennessee Secretary of State, Joe Carr, who was the person responsible for state elections.

The Supreme Court decision established a "one person, one vote" standard for legislative redistricting which holds that each individual must be weighed equally in apportionment.

After his retirement, Earl Warren said that "Baker v Carr" was one of the most important cases of his tenure as Chief Justice.

THIS SIDE OF PARADISE IS PUBLISHED

March 26, 1920

"THIS SIDE OF PARADISE"  IS PUBLISHED

F. Scott Fitzgerald published his 1st novel today, This Side of Paradise, which examines the lives & morality of youth of the post-world war.

Fitzgerald was born in St. Paul, Minnesota & is named after his famous ancestor, Francis Scott Key, the author of the "Star Spangled Banner".

The book's publisher is Charles Scribner & Sons of New York.  Critic, H.L. Mencken says that this is the "best American novel I have seen of late".

*Fitzgerald would marry Zelda Sayre a week later & they would begin a life of glamorous parties & luxurious living.  By 1925, they were living in Europe where Fitzgerald wrote his most famous work, "The Great Gatsby".

Zelda Fitzgerald died in a sanitarium & her husband died of a heart attack at the age of 44.

March 26, 1961

JFK & MACMILLAN WANT TRUCE IN LAOS


President Kennedy & British Prime Minister Harold MacMillan met for the 1st time today in Key West, Florida & focused their discussions on the situation in Laos.


They are determined to end the civil war there between the Royal government & the pro-Communist rebels.


In a joint statement they said:


"The situation....cannot be allowed to continue to deteriorate."

JFK & Macmillan on the USS Sequoia
April 6, 1961
Photo by Abbie Rowe


They urged the USSR to accept a British cease-fire proposal which would be arranged by the International Control Commission composed of representatives from Canada, India & Poland.






March 26, 1961


JFK WANTS MORE MONEY FOR DEFENSE


President Kennedy submitted a budget today which calls for an increase in long-range missiles along with a reduction in B-70 supersonic bombers.

              B70 Supersonic Bomber


The JFK budget proposal is about $2 billion higher than Eisenhower's budget of a year ago.


JFK wants more Minutemen ICBM bases & an increase in Polaris submarines.


He said:


"Our interest lies in peaceful solutions, in reducing tensions, in settling disputes..."






March 26, 1962


HIGH COURT RULES IN REDISTRICTING CASE


The Supreme Court led by Chief Justice Earl Warren has handed down a landmark decision today in Baker v. Carr.


The majority ruling is that Federal courts can determine whether state legislatures reapportionment  plans are constitutional.


The case, which has been argued for almost a year, was brought by Charles Baker, a Shelby County, Tennessee Republican who complained that Tennessee had not redistricted, as required by the state constitution, since 1901.


The failure to redistrict had resulted in a higher value of votes in less populated rural counties.


The defendant is Tennessee Secretary of State, Joe Carr, who is the person responsible for state elections.


The Supreme Court decision establishes a "one person, one vote" standard for legislative redistricting which holds that each individual must be weighed equally in apportionment.*


*After his retirement, Earl Warren said that "Baker v Carr" was one of the most important cases of his tenure as Chief Justice.

March 26, 1963


JFK WARY OF PROLIFERATION OF NUCLEAR WEAPONS


President Kennedy, who said in his televised conversation with reporters in December 1962 that the development of nuclear weapons by other countries presents a major threat to world peace, asked the State Department today to find ways to stop nuclear weapons development in other countries.


JFK targeted Israel, Egypt & Syria in his memorandum.*


*JFK's concern about nuclear proliferation has proven to be warranted.  Today there are 5 nations considered to be "nuclear powers", the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France & China & there are 3 more nations which have done nuclear testing: India, Pakistan & North Korea.  A 9th nation, Israel, is believed to also have nuclear capability. 

March 26, 1975


HUE FALLS TO NVA


Hue, located in the northernmost part of South Vietnam, has fallen to the North Vietnamese Army today.*


*The NVA will go on to seize Da Nang, South Vietnam's 2nd largest city, resulting in many military & civilian casualties.  Saigon falls on April 30, 1975 & the Vietnam War ends.

           North Vietnamese Pith Helmet
                     Photo by DO'Neil

March 26, 1979

EGYPT & ISRAEL SIGN PEACE TREATY

President Anwar el-Sadat of Egypt & Prime Minister Menachem Begin of Israel signed a monumental peace agreement today at Camp David, Maryland.

The peace agreement, sponsored by President Jimmy Carter, officially ends 30 years of hostilities between the two Middle-Eastern nations & establishes diplomatic & commercial ties as well.*

*Began & Sadat were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1978 & their nations formally opened diplomatic relations with each other in 1982.

 Sadat, Carter & Begin at Camp David