"I ALWAYS KNEW YOU WOULD MAKE IT TO THE TOP"

RICHARD NIXON BORN IN YORBA LINDA CALIFORNIA

Yorba Linda (JFK+50) On January 9, 1913, the future 37th POTUS, Richard Milhous Nixon*, was born here in Yorba Linda.  His parents were Quakers and ran a lemon ranch.  Nixon's early life was influenced by Quaker theology which included no alcohol, dancing or swearing.

Richard Nixon earned his B.A. at Whittier College and his L.L.B. from Duke University Law School.

According to Chris Matthews, John F. Kennedy and Richard M. Nixon "were good friends."  When they were elected to Congress in 1946, both "already shared the same lofty goal, the presidency...and respected each other because of it." 

JFK gave a "large contribution" to Nixon's bid for the Senate in 1950 and when Eisenhower chose him as his running mate in 1952, Congressman Kennedy sent a note which read...

"I always knew you would make it to the top.  I just didn't think it would come this soon."

JFK+50 NOTE

JFK would tell a funny story about Nixon at the Alfred E. Smith dinner in New York during the 1960 presidential campaign.  JFK said that a Nixon supporter had spoken to the Vice-President after an event saying, "That was a damn fine speech."  Mr. Nixon replied, "I appreciate the compliment but not the language."  The man continued, "yes sir I liked it so much I gave a thousand dollars to your campaign."  Mr. Nixon replied, "The hell you say!" 

*Richard Milhous Nixon (1913-1994) served in the U.S. Navy during WWII & the House of Representatives (R-CA) 1947-1950, Senate 1950-1953, as VPOTUS 1953-1961 & POTUS 1969-1974.  After his election to a 2nd term in 1972, RMN was forced to reign the presidency as a result of the Watergate scandal.

SOURCES

"Kennedy and Nixon:  The Rivalry That Shaped Postwar America," by Chris Matthews, Simon and Schuster, 1996.

"Such Good Friends," by Douglas Brinkley, June 2, 1996, The Washington Post, www.washingtonpost.com/ 

 

 

Kennedy & Nixon At First TV Debate

September 26 1960

Chicago, Illinois

AP Photo

"BORN IN A HOME PUT TOGETHER FROM A KIT"

BIRTHDAY OF PRESIDENT NIXON

Yorba Linda, California (JFK+50) On January 9, 1913, the 37th President of the United States, Richard M. Nixon, was born here in Yorba Linda.  According to Robert Lyons, docent at the Nixon Library, the future POTUS's early days were "in every way...a typical farm life."

The house in which RMN was born was built by his father, Frank Nixon, in 1912.  He put the 900 square foot home together from a kit. In 1922, after the failure of their citrus ranch, the Nixons moved to Whittier where Frank ran a grocery store and gas station.

Richard Nixon attended Whittier College where he became a champion debater and then went on to Duke Law School where he graduated third in his class in 1937.

Nixon married Pat Ryan in 1940 and the couple had two daughters, Tricia and Julie.  Mr. Nixon served in the US Navy in WWII and after the war was elected to the United States Congress.

On January 3, 1947, RMN was sworn in as a member of the 80th Congress of the United States.  Nixon was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1950.   After serving 8 years as VPOTUS with Dwight D. Eisenhower, he was narrowly defeated by Senator John F. Kennedy for the presidency.  In 1968, he once again won the Republican nomination and went on to defeat Hubert H. Humphrey and become the 37th POTUS.

SOURCE

"Nixon birthplace hits 100 years," by Michael Mello,  June 12, 2012, The Orange County Register, www.ocregister.com/ 

Birthplace of Richard M. Nixon

Yorba Linda, California

National Park Service Photo

"IN EVERY WAY... A TYPICAL FARM LIFE"

RICHARD NIXON BORN IN YORBA LINDA

Yorba Linda, California (JFK+50) On January 9, 1913, the 37th President of the United States, Richard M. Nixon, was born here in Yorba Linda, a very small town of 31 residents.  According to Robert Lyons, docent at the Nixon Library, the future POTUS's early days were "in every way...a typical farm life."

The house in which RMN was born was built by his father, Frank Nixon, in 1912.  He put the 900 square foot home together from a kit. In 1922, after the failure of their citrus ranch, the Nixons moved to Whittier, California where Frank ran a grocery store and gas station.

Richard Nixon attended Whittier College where he became a champion debater and then went on to Duke Law School in North Carolina where he graduated third in his class in 1937.

Nixon married Pat Ryan in 1940 and the couple had two daughters, Tricia and Julie.  Mr. Nixon served in the US Navy in WWII and after the war was elected to the United States Congress.

On January 3, 1947, Mr. Nixon, along with John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts, was sworn in as a member of the 80th Congress of the United States.  Nixon was almost 34 years old, while JFK was 29.  

Congressman Nixon was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1950.  JFK was elected to the Senate in 1952, the same year Senator Nixon ran for Vice-President.  After 8 years as VP under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Mr. Nixon was narrowly defeated by Senator John F. Kennedy for the presidency, but in 1968 defeated Hubert H. Humphrey to become the 37th POTUS.

SOURCE

"Nixon birthplace hits 100 years," by Michael Mello,  June 12, 2012, The Orange County Register, www.ocregister.com/ 

Birthplace of Richard M. Nixon

Yorba Linda, California

National Park Service Photo

RICHARD NIXON'S BIRTHDAY

JFK+50:  Volume 6, No. 1823

PRESIDENT RICHARD M. NIXON'S 103RD BIRTHDAY

Yorba Linda, California (JFK+50) 103 years ago today, January 9, 1913, the 37th President of the United States, Richard M. Nixon, was born here in Yorba Linda, California.

Nixon's father, Frank, owned a lemon ranch but in 1922, after the failure of the ranch, the Nixons moved to Whittier, California where Frank ran a grocery store and gas station.

Richard Nixon attended Whittier College where he became a champion debater and then went on to Duke Law School in North Carolina where he graduated third in his class in 1937.

Nixon married Pat Ryan in 1940 and the couple had two daughters, Tricia and Julie.  Mr. Nixon served in the US Navy in WWII and after the war was elected to the United States Congress.

On January 3, 1947, Mr. Nixon, along with John F. Kennedy of Massachusetts, was sworn in as a member of the 80th Congress of the United States.  Nixon was almost 34 years old, while Kennedy was 29.  The two future presidents served together on the Education and Labor Committee.

Congressman Nixon was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1950.  JFK was elected to the Senate in 1952, the same year Senator Nixon ran for Vice-President.

After 8 years as VP under President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Mr. Nixon was narrowly defeated by Senator John F. Kennedy for the presidency, but in 1968 defeated Hubert H. Humphrey to become the 37th POTUS.

After a successful first term, particularly in the area of foreign policy, President Nixon won an overwhelming victory over George McGovern in 1972.  In 1974, however, Nixon was forced to resign as a result of the Watergate scandal.

Richard M. Nixon died in New York City on April 22, 1994 at the age of 81.

Birthplace of Richard M. Nixon

Yorba Linda, California

National Park Service Photo

NIXON LIBRARY DEDICATION

FOUR PRESIDENTS ATTENDED NIXON LIBRARY DEDICATION 25 YEARS AGO TODAY

Yorba Linda, California (JFK+50) A quarter-century has passed since four Presidents of the United States came here to Yorba Linda to attend the dedication of the Richard M. Nixon Presidential Library and Birthplace.

In fact, it was the first time in history that four POTUS were seen together at a public event.  Sitting president George Herbert Walker Bush was joined by former presidents Gerald R. Ford, Richard M. Nixon and Ronald Reagan.  All were Republicans while former Democratic president Jimmy Carter did not attend due to a previous commitment.

According to the Los Angeles Times...

"Three brass bands played, red-suited trumpeters heralded the arrival of the Presidents and organizers sent red, white and blue balloons aloft..."

Fifty thousand people were on hand to witness the historic event which saw all four attending presidents make formal remarks.  In his characteristic style, President Reagan said...

"Much has been written and said about Richard Nixon.  Some of it has even been true."

The $21 million presidential library, the first in the state of California, was built near the home where the future 37th President was born in 1913.

*Richard Milhous Nixon (1913-1994) was born in Yorba Linda, CA.  His father, Frank Nixon, owned a lemon ranch but after it failed, the Nixons moved to Whittier, CA.  RMN was a graduate of Whittier College where he became a champion debater and Duke Law School.

RMN served in the US Navy and was elected to the United States Congress in 1946. re-elected in 1948, and elected to the United States Senate in 1950.  He was Vice-President from 1953-1961 and POTUS 1969-1974.  RMN resigned the presidency due to the Watergate scandal.

SOURCES

"Nixon Library Opens In Pomp and Tributes:  Dedication," by John Needham and Dave Lesher, Los Angeles Times, July 20, 1990, www.articles.latimes.com/

"White House Reunions:  Presidential Library Dedications, The National Archives, Prologue:  Pieces of History," www.blogs.archives.gov/

The Fords, Reagans, Nixons & Bushs

Dedication of Nixon Presidential Library

July 19, 1990

Richard Nixon Foundation/National Archives

PRESIDENT NIXON'S BIRTHDAY

PRESIDENT NIXON BORN 101 YEARS AGO TODAY

Yorba Linda, California (JFK+50) 101 years ago today, January 9, 1913, Richard Milhous Nixon, the future 37th President of the United States, was born here in Yorba Linda, California.

Nixon's father, Frank Nixon, owned a lemon ranch but the family struggled financially and grieved the deaths of two of Richard's brothers.

Birthplace of Richard M. Nixon

Yorba Linda, California

National Park Service Photo

In 1922, after the failure of the ranch, the Nixons moved to Whittier, California where Frank ran a grocery store and service station.

Richard Nixon attended Whittier College where he became a champion debater and went on to Duke Law School in North Carolina where he graduated third in his class in 1937.

Nixon married Patricia Ryan in 1940 and the couple would have two daughters, Tricia and Julie.

Like John F. Kennedy, Mr. Nixon served in the United States Navy in World War II and after the war was elected to the United States Congress.

Having been re-elected to Congress in 1948, Richard Nixon was elected to the United States Senate in 1950.

Richard Nixon served as Vice President of the United States during the Eisenhower years, but was defeated by JFK in the presidential election of 1960.

Nixon was then defeated for Governor of California in 1962, but defeated Hubert Humphrey in 1968 to become the 37th President.

After a successful 1st term, particularly in the area of foreign policy, President Nixon won an overwhelming victory over George McGovern in 1972.

In 1974, however, Nixon was forced to resign after the Watergate scandal.

Richard M. Nixon died in New York City on April 22, 1994 at the age of 81.

RICHARD M. NIXON BORN 100 YEARS AGO TODAY

January 9, 2013

RICHARD M. NIXON BORN 100 YEARS AGO TODAY

Yorba Linda, California (JFK+50) A century ago today, January 9, 1913, Richard M. Nixon, who would become the 37th President of the United States, was born here in Yorba Linda, California.

Nixon's father, Frank, owned a lemon ranch but the family struggled financially & grieved the deaths of two of Richard's brothers.

        Birthplace of Richard M. Nixon
              Yorba Linda, California
          National Park Service Photo

In 1922, after the failure of the ranch, the Nixons moved to Whittier, California where Frank ran a grocery store & gas station.

Richard Nixon attended Whittier College where he became a champion debater & went on to Duke Law School in North Carolina where he graduated 3rd in his class in 1937.

Nixon married Pat Ryan in 1940 & the couple would have 2 daughters, Tricia & Julie.

Mr. Nixon served in the US Navy in WWII & after the war was elected to the United States Congress.

Re-elected in 1948, Nixon ran for the US Senate in 1950 & won.

Richard Nixon served as Vice President of the United States during the Eisenhower years, but was defeated by JFK in the presidential election of 1960.

Having been defeated for Governor of California in 1962, Mr. Nixon defeated Hubert Humphrey in 1968 to become the 37th President.

After a successful 1st term, particularly in the area of foreign policy, President Nixon won an overwhelming victory over George McGovern in 1972.

In 1974, however, Nixon was forced to resign after the Watergate scandal.

Richard M. Nixon died in New York City on April 22, 1994 at the age of 81.