1960s Timeline

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Nov 20, 2021

White House Releases JFK Jr.'s Official Portrait

Nov. 20, 1961 - John Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr. flashes a happy smile in official birthday pictures released today by the White House. He...

Nov 19, 2021

John Birch Society Responds to Kennedy's Speech

Nov. 19, 1961 - President Kennedy’s comment on the “discordant voices of extremism” in his speech at the Hollywood Palladium last night...

Nov 19, 2021

"National Indignation Day" in Dallas

Nov. 19, 1961 - Ultraconservatives will hold a “National Indignation Convention” next Wednesday night in the Memorial Auditorium in...

Nov 19, 2021

President Kennedy Talks Extremism in Los Angeles

Nov. 19, 1961 - President Kennedy spoke out last night against the right-wing John Birch Society and the so-called Minutemen in a speech...

Nov 18, 2021

Speaker Rayburn is Buried in Texas

Nov. 18, 1961 - House Speaker Sam Rayburn was buried today in the rich Texas earth that nurtured him. Funeral services were held in the...

Nov 18, 2021

President Kennedy Honors Sen. Hayden in Arizona

Nov. 18, 1961 - President Kennedy declared last night that the nation should regard with pride the “heavy burden” of preserving freedom...

Nov 16, 2021

President Kennedy Honors Senator Magnuson

Nov. 16 - After his speech at the University of Washington, President Kennedy paid high tribute to Senator Warren G. Magnuson (left),...

Nov 16, 2021

Secretary Freeman Talks Agriculture's Value in Cold War

Nov. 16, 1961 - Secretary of Agriculture Orville L. Freeman (right) said today that agriculture was this country’s “strongest deterrent”...

Nov 16, 2021

Sen. Carl Hayden Next in Line for Presidency after Johnson

Nov. 16, 1961 - The death of Speaker Sam Rayburn places Senator Carl Hayden (right), Democrat of Arizona, behind Vice President Johnson...

Nov 16, 2021

Vice President Johnson's Tribute to Sam Rayburn

Nov. 16, 1961 - Here is Vice President Johnson’s statement on the passing of his friend and colleague of long standing, Speaker Sam...

Nov 16, 2021

"Crazy" Joe Gallo Convicted of Extortion, Conspiracy

Nov. 16, 1961 - Joseph Gallo, 32-year-old gangland figure and jukebox racketeer, was found guilty of attempted extortion and conspiracy...

Nov 16, 2021

President Speaks at University of Washington

Nov. 16 - President Kennedy declared today that it was “a test of our national maturity” to accept the prospect that negotiations on...

Nov 16, 2021

President Kennedy's Tribute to Sam Rayburn

Nov. 16, 1961 - Following is President Kennedy’s expression of tribute and statement of regret at the death today of Sam Rayburn (left),...

Nov 16, 2021

Speaker Sam Rayburn Dead at 79

Nov. 16, 1961 - House Speaker Sam Rayburn died of cancer in his sleep today. He was 79 years old. President Kennedy led the nation —...

Nov 16, 2021

President Kennedy's Plan for Vietnam

Nov. 16, 1961 - President Kennedy has decided on the measures that the U.S. is prepared to take to strengthen South Vietnam against...

Nov 14, 2021

Gangland Leader Joseph Gallo Sent to Jail

Nov. 14, 1961 - Joseph Gallo, the 32-year-old gangland figure on trial for conspiracy and attempted extortion, was remanded to jail today...

Nov 14, 2021

President Welcomes Two Special Girls to White House

Nov. 14, 1961 - President Kennedy told two little White House visitors today that they were better behaved than his own children. Sheila...

Nov 13, 2021

President Kennedy Receives Gift of Torah

Nov. 13, 1961 - President Kennedy received the gift of a Sacred Torah from the Union of American Hebrew Congregations in the Rose Garden...

Nov 12, 2021

Air Force Flies Reconnaissance Missions over South Vietnam

Nov. 12, 1961 - Reliable informants said today that U.S. Air Force jets were flying reconnaissance missions over South Vietnam to...

Nov 11, 2021

Rayburn's Doctor Issues Dire Bulletin

Nov. 11, 1961 - Speaker Sam Rayburn’s physician, Dr. Joe Risser (pictured), issued a bulletin this afternoon on the condition of his...