“We sincerely appreciate the many true Americans who insist on equal rights for all.” -Jackie Robinson Telegram to the White House, August 13, 1957 Jack Roosevelt Robinson (1919-72) was the first black man to “officially” play in the big leagues in the 20th century. In the course of a distinguished 10-year career beginning in 1947, Robinson led the Brooklyn Dodgers to six National League titles and one victorious World Series. Beyond his many and baseball feats, Jackie Robinson went on to champion the cause of civil rights when he retired from the game.  Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson all received candid correspondence from Robinson on the need to act for civil rights.    Our holdings at the Presidential Libraries and National Archives include numerous records relating to Jackie Robinson.   You can see a number of the telegrams and letters Robinson sent to the White House here. Image: Telegram to the White House from Jackie Robinson regarding the 1957 Civil Rights Act from the Eisenhower Library. Jackie Robinson January 31, 1919 - October 24, 1972
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“We sincerely appreciate the many true Americans who insist on equal rights for all.”

-Jackie Robinson

Telegram to the White House, August 13, 1957

Jack Roosevelt Robinson (1919-72) was the first black man to “officially” play in the big leagues in the 20th century. In the course of a distinguished 10-year career beginning in 1947, Robinson led the Brooklyn Dodgers to six National League titles and one victorious World Series.

Beyond his many and baseball feats, Jackie Robinson went on to champion the cause of civil rights when he retired from the game.  Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Johnson all received candid correspondence from Robinson on the need to act for civil rights.   

Our holdings at the Presidential Libraries and National Archives include numerous records relating to Jackie Robinson.   You can see a number of the telegrams and letters Robinson sent to the White House here.

Image: Telegram to the White House from Jackie Robinson regarding the 1957 Civil Rights Act from the Eisenhower Library.

Jackie Robinson

January 31, 1919 - October 24, 1972

The First Inaugural Poet: Robert Frost Today, the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced Richard Blanco as the inaugural poet for Barack Obama’s upcoming ceremony. Blanco will become the fifth inaugural poet in the history of U.S. Presidents. John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inauguration was the first to feature a poet at the swearing-in ceremony, and he named Robert Frost for the honor.  Frost wrote an original poem for the occasion called “Dedication.”  He presented a handwritten version of the poem to President Kennedy.  Jacqueline Kennedy framed the poem and wrote on the backside in pencil, “For Jack.  First thing I had framed to be put in your office.  First thing to be hung there.” Frost had planned to read a typed copy of the poem during President Kennedy’s Inauguration, but due to sun glare reflecting off the snow, he was unable to read his own draft.   Instead, he recited “The Gift Outright” from memory. The handwritten poem now resides at the JFK Library in Boston. Image: Framed poem, “Dedication,” handwritten by Robert Frost for the Inauguration of John F. Kennedy.
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The First Inaugural Poet: Robert Frost

Today, the Presidential Inaugural Committee announced Richard Blanco as the inaugural poet for Barack Obama’s upcoming ceremony. Blanco will become the fifth inaugural poet in the history of U.S. Presidents.

John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inauguration was the first to feature a poet at the swearing-in ceremony, and he named Robert Frost for the honor. 

Frost wrote an original poem for the occasion called “Dedication.”  He presented a handwritten version of the poem to President Kennedy.  Jacqueline Kennedy framed the poem and wrote on the backside in pencil,

“For Jack.  First thing I had framed to be put in your office.  First thing to be hung there.”

Frost had planned to read a typed copy of the poem during President Kennedy’s Inauguration, but due to sun glare reflecting off the snow, he was unable to read his own draft.   Instead, he recited “The Gift Outright” from memory.

The handwritten poem now resides at the JFK Library in Boston.

Image: Framed poem, “Dedication,” handwritten by Robert Frost for the Inauguration of John F. Kennedy.

Source: jfklibrary.org

todaysdocument: Mona Lisa in Washington For 27 days, the Mona Lisa was lent to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC for a very special one picture loan.  This special exhibition was arranged by the White House and was viewed by 518,525 people in Washington before it traveled to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York from February 7-March 4, 1963. Unveiling of the Mona Lisa. President Kennedy, Madame Malraux, French Minister of Cultural Affairs Andre Malraux, Mrs. Kennedy, Vice President Johnson. Washington, D.C., National Gallery of Art., 01/08/1963
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todaysdocument:

Mona Lisa in Washington

For 27 days, the Mona Lisa was lent to the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC for a very special one picture loan.  This special exhibition was arranged by the White House and was viewed by 518,525 people in Washington before it traveled to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York from February 7-March 4, 1963.

Unveiling of the Mona Lisa. President Kennedy, Madame Malraux, French Minister of Cultural Affairs Andre Malraux, Mrs. Kennedy, Vice President Johnson. Washington, D.C., National Gallery of Art., 01/08/1963

Let us not seek the Republican answer or the Democratic answer, but the right answer. Let us not seek to fix the blame for the past. Let us accept our own responsibility for the future.
–Senator John F. Kennedy, Loyola College Alumni Banquet, Baltimore, Maryland, February 18, 1958 (via jfklibrary)
lbjlibrary: January 2, 1960. JFK announces his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination, joining Hubert Humphrey as the only announced candidates.
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lbjlibrary:

January 2, 1960. JFK announces his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination, joining Hubert Humphrey as the only announced candidates.

President Kennedy’s 1962 Thanksgiving Day Proclamation.

Source: facebook.com

(Not) Good Eating, Mr. President President John F. Kennedy received a Thanksgiving Turkey from members of the Poultry and Egg National Board on November 19, 1963. Although this was before the formal tradition of pardoning a White House turkey each Thanksgiving, President Kennedy spontaneously spared this turkey. -from the JFK Library
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(Not) Good Eating, Mr. President

President John F. Kennedy received a Thanksgiving Turkey from members of the Poultry and Egg National Board on November 19, 1963.

Although this was before the formal tradition of pardoning a White House turkey each Thanksgiving, President Kennedy spontaneously spared this turkey.

-from the JFK Library

Source: facebook.com

Candidates, 1960 Senator John F. Kennedy visiting Senator Lyndon B. Johnson at the LBJ Ranch in Texas during the 1960 Presidential campaign.  November 16, 1960.
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Candidates, 1960

Senator John F. Kennedy visiting Senator Lyndon B. Johnson at the LBJ Ranch in Texas during the 1960 Presidential campaign.  November 16, 1960.

Source: presidentialtimeline.org

@JFK1962 Live-Tweets the Cuban Missile Crisis

jfklibrary:

Today marks the first day of the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis, one of the most perilous moments in American history, and certainly the greatest test of John F. Kennedy’s presidency. To mark this momentous occasion, we will be tweeting archival documents, audio and video clips, and quotes from the Kennedy administration with our historical Twitter account, @JFK1962. Follow every crucial moment from the #13days here!

usnatarchives: This morning, our new exhibit opens to the public. “To the Brink: JFK and the Cuban Missile Crisis” covers the 13 days when the world teetered on the brink of thermonuclear war. Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev ordered a secret deployment of a nuclear strike force in Cuba, just 90 miles from the United States—with missiles that could reach most major U.S. cities in less than five minutes. President Kennedy stated that the missiles would not be tolerated, and insisted on their removal. Khrushchev refused. Now, 50 years later, curators at the Kennedy Library and designers from the National Archives have created an exhibit where you can listen to secret real-time White House recordings from Kennedy’s meetings with his advisors during the 13 terrifying days in October 1962. Do you remember the Cuban Missile Crisis? Image: Medium Range Ballistic Missile Field Launch Site in San Cristobal, Cuba, taken October, 14, 1962. From the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Learn more about the JFK Library here: http://go.usa.gov/Y8f9
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usnatarchives:

This morning, our new exhibit opens to the public. “To the Brink: JFK and the Cuban Missile Crisis” covers the 13 days when the world teetered on the brink of thermonuclear war.

Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev ordered a secret deployment of a nuclear strike force in Cuba, just 90 miles from the United States—with missiles that could reach most major U.S. cities in less than five minutes. President Kennedy stated that the missiles would not be tolerated, and insisted on their removal. Khrushchev refused.


Now, 50 years later, curators at the Kennedy Library and designers from the National Archives have created an exhibit where you can listen to secret real-time White House recordings from Kennedy’s meetings with his advisors during the 13 terrifying days in October 1962.

Do you remember the Cuban Missile Crisis?

Image: Medium Range Ballistic Missile Field Launch Site in San Cristobal, Cuba, taken October, 14, 1962. From the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Learn more about the JFK Library here: http://go.usa.gov/Y8f9