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Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-228-004
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s statement in the White House Treaty Room upon the signing of the treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) or the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT). In his speech President Kennedy describes the treaty as a beginning of effective disarmament and peaceful negotiations with the Soviet Union. The recording does not contain an introduction.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-218
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s address to the 18th General Assembly of the United Nations. In his speech the President discusses the recently signed treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests (later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty or Limited Test Ban Treaty), remarking that peace may be attainable when two nations with incompatible ideologies successfully negotiate. The President famously asks, "Space offers no problems of sovereignty…Why, therefore, should man's first flight to the moon be a matter of national competition?" President Kennedy also explains that the task of maintaining peace and decreasing global tension must be shared by all nations. He proposes ways for the United Nations to increase and improve their efforts in developing countries, specifically focusing on health, human rights, agriculture, communication, and the environment.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-217-005
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s radio and television address to the nation on pending legislation for tax reductions and a treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests (later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty or Limited Test Ban Treaty). In his speech the President explains how tax reform will improve the American economy and protect against a recession, citing increased employment, increased family incomes, improved strength of the American dollar, and new international markets.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-210
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of August 20, 1963 (News Conference 60). The President begins the press conference with a statement urging the House of Representatives to pass the Mutual Defense and Assistance Bill of 1964, stating that the foreign aid program is essential to the strength of the free world. Following this announcement the President answers questions on a variety of topics including the four safeguards proposed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to protect the country under the limited language of the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT), the upcoming civil rights march in Washington D.C., atmospheric nuclear testing, British Guiana, and legislation.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-207
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s radio and television address to the American people on the passage of a treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) or Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT). In his speech the President explains that the treaty will strengthen national security, lessen the risk and fear of radioactive fallout, reduce world tension by encouraging further dialogue, and prevent acquisition of nuclear weapons by nations not currently possessing them. The President emphasizes that while the treaty does not eliminate the threat of nuclear war, a limited test ban is safer than an unlimited arms race.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-205
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of July 17, 1963 (News Conference 58). The President begins the press conference with an update on the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty negotiations occurring in Moscow between the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union, and expresses satisfaction at their progress. He then announces the preliminary budget results for fiscal year 1963 and urges a reduction and revision of taxes in order to further boost the economy. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the space program, Cuba, civil rights demonstrations, and the current economic state of the country.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-190-002
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s address at the 1963 commencement ceremony for The American University held at the John M. Reeves Athletic Center in Washington, D.C. In his speech the President asks the graduates to re-examine their attitudes towards peace, the Soviet Union, and the Cold War, famously remarking, "If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can make the world safe for diversity." The President also announces that he, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, and British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan have agreed to hold discussions concerning a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty. Finally, he explains that the United States will not conduct atmospheric nuclear tests on the condition that other countries uphold this same promise.