TREASURY DEPARTMENT FOUNDED

September 2, 1779

TREASURY DEPARTMENT FOUNDED

New York City (JFK+50) Today President George Washington announced the founding of the United States Department of the Treasury.

The newest department of the Executive Branch of the government of the United States created by the Constitution of the United States of America will be responsible for collecting federal taxes & managing federal debt instruments.

The Treasury Department will also direct the minting of the coinage of the United States of America as well as the printing of paper currency.

President Washington is expected to name the 1st Secretary of the Department of the Treasury later this month.

It is rumored that the President will offer the post to Robert Morris of New York.*

*On September 11, 1789, Alexander Hamilton was named the 1st Secretary of the Treasury & sworn into office on that date.  He would propose a plan for reviving the nation's economy as well as funding the national debt.

THE TREASURY BUILDING
WASHINGTON, D.C.

The headquarters of today's United States Treasury Department is the Treasury Building in the Nation's Capital which was built beginning in 1836 & designed by architect Robert Mills.

The Treasury Building is located at 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW.

The statue of Alexander Hamilton in front of the Treasury Building was done by James Earle Fraser.

                    Treasury Building

                     Washington, D.C.

           Photo by Karen Nutini, 2004

SECRETARY C. DOUGLAS DILLON

President John F. Kennedy appointed C. Douglas Dillon as his Secretary of Treasury.

Mr. Dillon, who was born in 1909, like JFK was a graduate of Harvard University as well as a World War II veteran of the United States Navy.

The Secretary was a Republican who worked in Dwight D. Eisenhower's 1952 Presidential campaign & was appointed ambassador to France in 1953.*

*The current 75th Secretary of Treasury serving under President Obama is Timothy Geithner.

            Secretary Timothy Geithner

                US Treasury Department

                        Washington, D.C.

                      White House Photo

JFK SIGNS MINIMUM WAGE BILL

September 2, 1961


JFK SIGNS MINIMUM WAGE BILL


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy signed into law today the Minimum Wage Bill of 1961.


This legislation will raise the minimum wage to $1.15 an hour for workers previously covered & to $1.00 an hour for newly covered workers.


The administration says the bill will provide millions of American workers a chance to enjoy a greater share of our nations economic progress.


JFK said:


"This is one of the most important domestic accomplishments so far of this administration."


September 2, 1963


CRONKITE INTERVIEWS JFK AT BRAMBLETYDE


Squaw Island, Cape Cod, Massachusetts (JFK+50) CBS News anchorman Walter Cronkite conducted an interview with President John F. Kennedy today on the grounds of "Brambletyde".


The President discussed the issues facing the United States in Southeast Asia.


JFK said his government will continue to support South Vietnam & President Ngo Dinh Diem, but he said ultimately "it is their war....to win or lose".


The President added:


"I don't think that unless a greater effort is made by the government to win popular support that the war can be won out there.  Forty-seven Americans have been killed...but this is a very important struggle even though it is far away."

                Walter Cronkite & JFK 
                     At Brambletyde*


*According to a posting on www.pinkpillbox.com, Brambletyde was leased to the Kennedy family.


September 2, 1945


WE CELEBRATE VJ DAY, JAPAN SURRENDERS


Tokyo, Japan (JFK+50) Representatives of the Empire of Japan signed the Instrument of Surrender today aboard the USS Missouri docked in Tokyo Bay.

  Japanese Minister M. Shigemitsu
Signs for the Japanese Government
  Lt.Gen. R.K. Sutherland Watches


General Douglas MacArthur stepped before microphones on the deck of "Big Mo" at 0902 hours.  


MacArthur said:


"It is my hope that a better world shall emerge out of the blood & carnage of the past & the fulfillment of....freedom, tolerance & justice."

              General Douglas MacArthur
               Signs for the United States

          VJ Celebration at Oak Ridge
                    September 2, 1945
                Photo by Ed Westcott
American Museum of Science & Energy
               Oak Ridge, Tennessee


September 2, 1944


LT. JG GEORGE H.W. BUSH WINS "FLYING CROSS"


Chi Chi Jima (JFK+50) US Naval Reserve Lieutenant J.G. George H.W. Bush was in the process of conducting a bombing mission with his squadron on the island of Chi Chi Jima today when his airplane was hit by anti-aircraft fire.


Lt. Bush managed to fly back to the vicinity of his aircraft carrier where he bailed out into the sea.


After floating on a raft for 4 hours, Bush was rescued. Bush is to be awarded the "Distinguished Flying Cross".


*The future 41st President of the United States flew 58 combat missions during the war & in the process won 3 Air Medals & a Presidential Unit Citation.

                       George H.W. Bush
    www.georgehwbushsr.blogspot.com


September 2, 1938


AMBASSADOR KENNEDY CALLS FOR "COMMON SENSE" TO AVERT A 2ND WORLD WAR


Aberdeen, Scotland (JFK+50) United States Ambassador to Great Britain, Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr., came to Scotland today to lay the cornerstone of a memorial to be built at the Aberdeen Cathedral in honor of Samuel Seabury, America's first Anglican bishop.

                       Samuel Seabury
                              1729-1796


The Ambassador used the opportunity to attack governments which practice religious persecution & also cautioned that another world war could be averted by the use of "common sense" & "spiritual courage".


September 2, 1789


US TREASURY DEPARTMENT FOUNDED


New York City (JFK+50) President George Washington has named his former military aide, Alexander Hamilton of New York, to be the 1st Secretary of the Department of the Treasury.*


The newly founded Treasury Department will print & mint all US paper currency & coins as well as collect all Federal taxes.


*Hamilton, sworn in on September 11, 1789, will present a plan for reviving the nation's failing economy. (Where is Hamilton now that we really need him).  The Federal Government will pay $75 million in war debts.

               US Treasury Official
                With New Currency
    National Archives Photo (1907)