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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-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-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.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-340-027
This file contains copies of National Security Action Memoranda number 239 (NSAM 239) titled, “U.S. Disarmament Proposals,” to Director of the United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency (ACDA) William C. Foster and the Committee of Principals from President John F. Kennedy. Also included is a response to NSAM 239 by the ACDA titled, “A Gradual Approach to Arms Control and Disarmament.”
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-103-001
Sound recording of a meeting held on July 31, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Director of Livermore Laboratories Dr. John Foster, Director of the Los Alamos Laboratory Dr. Norris Bradbury, Dr. Glenn Seaborg, and Commissioner of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) John Palfrey. President Kennedy and the four scientists discuss the functions of the treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) or the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT). President Kennedy attempts to gauge their support or lack of support for the Treaty since the scientists will likely be asked to testify before the U.S. Senate as scientific nuclear experts. During the early part of the meeting, President Kennedy comments on the possibility of the Treaty bringing about a détente with the Soviet Union. Nine segments of the recording totaling 24 minutes and 38 seconds have been removed for reasons of national security. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 103, which contains additional sound recording(s) following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 103 in its entirety.