"I NEVER MET A MAN I DIDN'T LIKE"

WILL ROGERS NOT IMPRESSED WITH POLITICANS

Watauga County, North Carolina (JFK+50) In Will Rogers'* column, published in the Watauga Democrat on October 8, 1925, he writes...

"I just finished hearing a Politician talk on Abraham Lincoln.  When a Politician ain't talking about himself he is talking about Lincoln.  Lincoln has had more public men speak of his good qualities, and fewer copy any of them, than any man America ever produced."

Rogers' closes by saying that our sixteenth president had "said more"  in his two hundred word Gettysburg Address than has been said in the Nation's Capital in the last decade.

*William Penn Adair Rogers (1879-1935) was born in Oologah, Oklahoma & became a vaudeville performer, actor & humorist.  His most famous saying is "I never met a man I didn't like."

JFK+50 NOTE

Watauga County, founded 1849, is located in the extremely mountainous region of western North Carolina & was named after the Watauga River.  Its county seat & largest community is Boone with a population (1924) of 54,997.  It is the home of Appalachian State University.

SOURCE

"Improving on History," by Will Rogers, Watauga Democrat, Watauga County, North Carolina, October 8, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Will Rogers

Photo by Melbourne Spurr

1922

Internet Archive (PD)

Woodstock Music Festival Opens

August 15, 1969


WOODSTOCK MUSIC & ART FESTIVAL OPENS


Bethel, New York (JFK+50) The Woodstock Music & Art Festival opened today on Max Yasgur's 600 acre dairy farm near the village of White Lake.


The festival is billed as "An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music".


Scheduled to entertain include Joan Baez, Arlo Guthrie, Jefferson Airplane, The Who, The Grateful Dead, Sly & the Family Stone, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix & Creedence Clearwater Revival.*


*32 acts would perform over 4 days.  "Rolling Stone" would later list Woodstock as one of the 50 moments that changed the history of rock n roll.

                    Woodstock Nation
           Photo by Derek Redmond
                    & Paul Campbell


After the festival, the organizers were left with a $1 million debt & faced 70 lawsuits filed against them.


August 15, 1965


THE BEATLES PLAY SHEA STADIUM


New York City (JFK+50) The British rock group, "The Beatles", performed this evening before 55,600 fans at New York's Shea Stadium.


The performance was promoted by Sid Bernstein.


The popular group was introduced on stage by television host Ed Sullivan who said to the crowd:


"Now, Ladies & Gentlemen, honored by their country, decorated by their Queen & loved here in America, here are the Beatles."

   The Beatles Perform at Shea Stadium


August 15, 1962


JFK INSPECTS USCG's "EAGLE"


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy today inspected the United States Coast Guard Academy's training barque "Eagle" today at Pier 2 of the Navy Yard Annex here in Washington, D.C.


August 15, 1961


PRESIDENT ATTENDS ALL SAINTS' DAY MASS


Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy attended an All Saints Day mass celebrated at St. Matthew's Cathedral on Rhode Island Avenue here in Washington this morning.


Attending with the President were assistants Kenneth O'Donnell, David Powers & Timothy Reardon.

            St. Matthew's Cathedral
               Rhode Island Avenue
                    Washington, D.C.
               Photo by John White
                      July 14, 2003


August 15, 1947


INDIA GRANTED INDEPENDENCE FROM UK


New Delhi, India (JFK+50) India was granted independence today from the United Kingdom.


The 1st prime minister of an independent India, Jawaharial Nehru, addressed his people.

          Soviet Stamp Honoring Nehru


August 15, 1935


WILL ROGERS & WILEY POST DIE IN AIR CRASH


Barrow, Alaska (JFK+50) Comedian & entertainer Will Rogers & aviator Wiley Post perished today in attempting to take off in bad weather near Barrow, Alaska.

Will Rogers & Wiley Post (on wing)


Post had landed the plane in a lagoon & then when he attempted to take off again experienced engine problems.


Both men died instantly in the crash.


Will Rogers, called the Oklahoma Cowboy, was an actor, comic, columnist & radio personality.


Mr. Rogers had once told his audience:


"My epitaph is going to read: 'I never met a man I didn't like'."*


*Will Rogers once proclaimed: "I am not a member of an organized political party. I am a Democrat."

                            Will Rogers
                              1879-1935