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Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-215
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of September 12, 1963 (News Conference 61). The President begins the press conference with a statement on the importance of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, and urges the Senate to pass the legislation. He goes on to announce that in the previous two weeks, schools in 150 Southern cities were desegregated with little difficulty. Following these statements the President answers questions on a variety of topics including the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, Vietnam, Cuba, and civil rights.
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-208
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of August 1, 1963 (News Conference 59). The President begins the press conference with a statement on the importance of education and urged parents and members of the community to help children stay in school. Following this announcement the President answers questions on a variety of topics including the nuclear test ban treaty, underground testing for nuclear weapons, miscegenation laws, civil rights demonstrations, and the second anniversary of the Alliance for Progress.
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White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-203-005
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s remarks to Prime Minister Harold Macmillan upon his departure from Gatwick Airport in Gatwick, England. In his speech the President thanks the Prime Minister for his hospitality and expresses his hopes for negotiations leading to the regulation of nuclear weapons.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-203-004
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s remarks to Prime Minister Harold Macmillan upon arrival at Gatwick Airport in Gatwick, England. In his speech the President identifies two major issues which he hopes to examine during his visit: cooperative international relations and nuclear weapon regulation.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-197
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of June 24, 1963 (News Conference 57) from the Foreign Ministry in Bonn, Germany. Some questions asked by the press are in German and interpreted by a translator. The President begins the press conference by thanking the German people for their generous welcome, and the German press corps for their invitation to host the press conference. During the press conference President Kennedy answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the relationship between the United States and Germany, the role Germany plays in European development, discussions in Moscow concerning nuclear weapons testing, economic cooperation between Europe and the U.S., Berlin, and U.S. troops in Western Europe.
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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.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-087
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of April 18, 1962 (News Conference 31). The President begins the press conference by announcing that the United States had that day presented an outline of basic provisions for a treaty on general and complete nuclear disarmament at Geneva. He then says a few words in follow-up to the previous week’s events concerning steel prices emphasizing the goodwill and the commonality of goals between his administration and American industry. Then he announces that he had directed the Army to cancel the trial of reservist Private Larry D. Chidester and to remit the balance of sentence of reservist Private Bernis G. Owen, both court marshaled for their complaints about being called up for active service. Finally, the President briefly announces the release of reports by the Presidential Commission on Campaign Costs and that former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower has agreed to serve as honorary co-chairman, with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, of the National Cultural Center. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the situation with the steel industry, nuclear disarmament and the status of a test ban treaty, and the situation in Berlin.
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White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-081
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of March 21, 1962 (News Conference 28). The President begins the press conference with an announcement concerning the reply he received from Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to his letter regarding on United States-Soviet cooperation in outer space exploration. Following this announcement the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including disarmament discussions in Geneva, the United Nations bond issue proposal, Guantanamo Bay, and demonstrations by United States military reservists.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-079
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of March 14, 1962 (News Conference 27). The President begins the press conference by reading an excerpt of his letter to Secretary of State Dean Rusk regarding the United Nations disarmament conference in Geneva and United States policy objectives for the conference. Following this announcement the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the possible cutting of funds for foreign aid, the current state of the economy, nuclear testing, and the Alliance for Progress.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-078
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of March 7, 1962 (News Conference 26). The President begins the press conference by reading the text of a telegram he sent to the chief executive officers of the major steel companies and to the President of the Steelworkers Union concerning steel labor negations. He then discusses the tariff and trade agreements obtained at Geneva between the United States and the European Common Market, the United Kingdom, and other countries. Following the announcements the President answers questions on a variety of topics including the forthcoming Geneva negotiations for a nuclear test ban treaty, foreign aid to underdeveloped countries, and possible legislative action by Congress concerning funds for the B-70 supersonic bomber.
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White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-143-004
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s radio and television statement on the dismantling of Soviet missile bases in Cuba. In his speech President Kennedy indicates that the missile bases are in the dismantlement process, and explains that the naval quarantine on Cuba will remain in effect until the situation is resolved.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-142-001
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s radio and television address to the nation regarding the former Soviet Union’s military presence in Cuba. In his speech President Kennedy reports the establishment of offensive missile sites presumably intended to launch a nuclear offensive against Western nations. The President characterizes the transformation of Cuba into an important strategic base as an explicit threat to American security, and explains seven components to his proposed course of action: quarantine all offensive military equipment under shipment to Cuba, increase the degree of surveillance, regard a possible attack launched from Cuba as a Soviet attack, reinforce the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, call for a meeting of the Organ of Consultation, call for an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, and demand that Premier Nikita Khrushchev cease his current course of action. In his speech the President famously states, “Our goal is not the victory of might, but the vindication of right- not peace at the expense of freedom, but both peace and freedom, here in this Hemisphere, and, we hope, around the world.”
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-124
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of August 29, 1962 (News Conference 42). The President begins the press conference by announcing the retirement of Associate Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter for health reasons and the appointment of Secretary of Labor Arthur J. Goldberg to fill the vacancy. He also announces that the Soviet representative in Geneva has proposed a cut-off date of January 1, 1963 for all nuclear weapons testing. The President agrees with the proposed date and urges all affected governments to accelerate negotiations in order to meet the goal. The President then answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including nuclear test agreements, Berlin, the influx of supplies and technicians into Cuba from the Soviet Union, and a scientific investigation into the side effects of pesticides, particularly DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane).
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White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-041
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of June 28, 1961 (News Conference 13). President Kennedy begins the press conference with a statement concerning the death of journalist Ed Koterba, followed by lengthy statements concerning the situation in Berlin and the Soviets’ refusal to negotiate on a nuclear test ban at Geneva. He then responds to Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev’s statement that the Soviet Union would out produce the United States by 1970. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the situation in Berlin, the rate of economic growth in the United States, and foreign policymaking for Latin America.
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White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-028
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of May 5, 1961 (News Conference 11). President Kennedy begins the press conference with an update on the status of the nuclear test ban negotiations in Geneva. He then announces that Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson would be undertaking a fact finding mission to Asia; that the United States representative on the Council of the Organization of American states would be proposing a meeting of the Inter-American Economic and Social Council to discuss economic and social development in the Americas. Finally, he announces the sale of an aluminum extrusion plant in Adrian, Michigan. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including problems facing the United States as a free society, the United States space program, and the successful launching of the first American astronaut, Alan B. Shepard, into space.
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White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-004
Sound recording of the President's News Conference of January 25, 1961 (News Conference 1). President Kennedy begins the press conference with a statement concerning the scheduling of the Geneva negotiations for a nuclear test ban. He then announces that the United States Government has decided to increase famine relief for the Congo and that the Soviet Union has released two members from the crew of the United States Air Force RB-47 aircraft. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including United States policy on nuclear disarmament negotiations, diplomatic relations with Cuba, and communications with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.
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White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-164
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of February 21, 1963 (News Conference 50). The President begins the press conference with a statement regarding the needs of senior citizens, recommending a reduction in taxes and an increase in social security. He also announces a revised hospital insurance program bill. The President then urges the unions involved in the New York City newspaper strike to submit their differences independently so as to arrive at a swift resolution. Following this statement the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the attack on a shrimp boat by a Cuban MiG fighter aircraft, the tax program, and a nuclear test ban treaty.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-155-009
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s to Harold Macmillan, Prime Minister of Great Britain, upon arrival at Windsor Field in Nassau, The Bahamas.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-154
Sound recording of the second part of President John F. Kennedy’s edited radio and television interview entitled “After Two Years: A Conversation with the President” broadcast by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), and the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). In the interview President Kennedy discusses America’s conflict with the Soviet Union, the spread of communism, and nuclear weapons proliferation. The interview includes remarks from journalists Bill Lawrence of ABC, George H. Herman of CBS, and Sander Vancour of NBC. Part one of the interview begins with JFKWHA-153.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-151
Sound recording of the second part of President John F. Kennedy’s unedited radio and television interview entitled “After Two Years: A Conversation with the President” broadcast by the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), and the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). In the interview President Kennedy discusses America’s conflict with the Soviet Union, the spread of communism, nuclear weapons proliferation, efforts to improve international communication, and foreign policy, with particular emphasis on Berlin and Cuba. The interview was recorded on December 16, 1962, and broadcast on December 17, 1962. Part one of the interview begins with JFKWHA-150 and part three continues with JFKWHA-152.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-076-001
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s address, “Nuclear Testing and Disarmament.” In his speech President Kennedy announces and explains his decision to resume nuclear testing as a matter of national security, noting that true security can only be achieved in mutual disarmament with effective inspection, and that tests might be cancelled by the signing of a satisfactory treaty with the Soviet Union.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-071
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of February 7, 1962 (News Conference 23). The President begins the press conference by discussing United States nuclear disarmament policy and preparations by the United States to resume the atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons. He then expresses his pleasure over the Senate’s decision to retain the scholarship provision in the pending college-aid bill. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the guerilla war in South Vietnam, atmospheric nuclear testing, nuclear disarmament, and the status of negotiations for a test ban treaty.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-053-007
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s remarks concerning the testing and development of nuclear weapons. In his statement President Kennedy explains his policy concerning the testing and development of nuclear weapons, and characterizes the recent series of nuclear tests conducted by the Soviet Union as dangerous and irresponsible.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-050
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s address before the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York City. In his speech President Kennedy discusses the recent death of U.N. Secretary-General Dag Hammarskjöld, presents six proposals for a new disarmament program, and provides information on the current crises in Laos, South Vietnam, and Berlin, Germany. The President also famously states, “Mankind must put an end to war or war will put an end to mankind.”