May 9, 1962 - An advance sale of “well over” 400 tickets at $1,000 each for the “New York Birthday Salute to President Kennedy” was hailed today as a sign that the May 19 event at Madison Square Garden would be the first $1 million political event in New York history. Meanwhile, former President Harry S. Truman arrived in town for a reception at the Carlyle Hotel that helped push ticket sales. More than 17,000 seats, priced at $10, $25, $100, and $1,000 are available for the party, which will feature the President and entertainment by leading stars. Jack Benny has joined Henry Fonda as a master of ceremonies for the show, which will present Maria Callas, Diahann Carroll, Bobby Darin, Jimmy Durante, Danny Kaye, Peggy Lee, Marilyn Monroe, Peter Lawford, and others. Proceeds will be used to pay off state and national deficits and build the party war chest for the coming Congressional and state campaigns.
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