Close
Not finding the information you're looking for? Please contact the Archives research staff.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-52-1
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy dictating a memoir entry in November 1963. He talks about the coup in Saigon, South Vietnam, and the assassinations of Ngo Dinh Diem and Ngo Dinh Nhu, about the Soviet Union's stand on autobahn access, about American oil contracts in Latin-American countries, and about a statement by West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer concerning the Berlin Wall. President Kennedy also speaks with his son John F. Kennedy, Jr.The recording ends abruptly.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-44-2
Sound recording of a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of State Dean Rusk. They discuss stoning incidents in Berlin and dealings with the Soviet Union.The recording begins in mid-conversation.
This sound recording was originally recorded on Dictation Belt 44, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. To hear all of the recordings on the Dictation Belt, see Digital Identifier: JFKPOF-TPH-44, Title: Telephone Recordings: Dictation Belt 44.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-44
Dictation Belt 44 contains three sound recordings. Item 44.1 is a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy, Special Counsel to the President Theodore C. Sorensen, and Secretary of Agriculture Orville L. Freeman. President Kennedy and Secretary Freeman discuss a farm bill. Sorensen and Secretary Freeman discuss a trade bill and its effect on the cotton industry. There is an echo during part of the recording. Machine noise follows the conversation. Item 44.2 is a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of State Dean Rusk. They discuss stoning incidents in Berlin and dealings with the Soviet Union. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Item 44.3 is a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. They discuss defense appropriations and issues concerning the United States Air Force. The recording begins in mid-conversation and ends abruptly.Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-30-2
Sound recording of three telephone exchanges. The first exchange is a telephone conversation held on October 22, 1962, between President John F. Kennedy and former President Dwight D. Eisenhower. They discuss ways to deal with the Cuban Missile Crisis and consider possible consequences, including nuclear war and actions taken by the Soviet Union in Berlin, Germany. The recording begins in mid-conversation.The second exchange is chatter involving [White House Operators?]. Machine noise follows.
The third exchange is a brief fragment of a telephone conversation between Secretary of State Dean Rusk and an unidentified man. They talk about an impending address to the nation on providing an “effective quarantine” against a threat.
This sound recording was originally recorded on Dictation Belt 30, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding this one. To hear all of the recordings on the Dictation Belt, see Digital Identifier: JFKPOF-TPH-30, Title: Telephone recordings: Dictation Belt 30.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-30
Dictation Belt 30 contains two sound recordings from October 22, 1962. Item 30.1 is a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and John J. McCloy. President Kennedy asks McCloy to return to the United States from Frankfurt am Main, Germany, to support the handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis at the United Nations (U.N.). The recording begins in mid-conversation. Item 30.2 is a recording of three telephone exchanges. The first exchange is a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and former President Dwight D. Eisenhower. They discuss ways to deal with the Cuban Missile Crisis and consider possible consequences, including nuclear war and actions taken by the Soviet Union in Berlin, Germany. The recording begins in mid-conversation. The second exchange is chatter involving [White House Operators?]. Machine noise follows. The third exchange is a brief fragment of a telephone conversation between Secretary of State Dean Rusk and an unidentified man. They talk about an impending address to the nation on providing an “effective quarantine” against a threat.Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-27A-4
Sound recording of a brief telephone exchange in October 1963 between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of State Dean Rusk. Secretary Rusk reports on Soviet officials and issues involving the Berlin access situation. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Machine noise follows the conversation.
Transcript included. This sound recording was originally recorded on Dictation Belt 27A, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. To hear all of the recordings on the Dictation Belt, see Digital Identifier: JFKPOF-TPH-27A, Title: Telephone recordings: Dictation Belt 27A.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-27A-3
Sound recording of a telephone conversation held on October 10, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. They discuss the Soviets permitting convoys to move at Berlin. Machine noise follows the conversation.
Transcript included. This sound recording was originally recorded on Dictation Belt 27A, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. To hear all of the recordings on the Dictation Belt, see Digital Identifier: JFKPOF-TPH-27A, Title: Telephone recordings: Dictation Belt 27A.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-27A-1
Sound recording of a telephone conversation held on October 10, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. They discuss a situation involving access at Berlin and related talks with Soviet officials.The recording begins in mid-conversation.
Transcript included. This sound recording was originally recorded on Dictation Belt 27A, which contains additional sound recording(s) following this one. To hear all of the recordings on the Dictation Belt, see Digital Identifier: JFKPOF-TPH-27A, Title: Telephone recordings: Dictation Belt 27A.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-27A
Dictation Belt 27A contains six sound recordings. Item 27A.1 is a telephone conversation held on October 10, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. They discuss a situation involving access at Berlin and related talks with Soviet officials. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Item 27A.2 is a telephone conversation held on October 10, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. They talk about the hospitalization of newspaperman Ed Lahey and plan a future discussion. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Machine noise follows the conversation. Item 27A.3 is a telephone conversation held on October 10, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. They discuss the Soviets permitting convoys to move at Berlin. Machine noise follows the conversation. Item 27A.3A is a brief fragment of a telephone conversation held in October 1963. An unidentified man (possibly Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara) says he will report back when he hears more information. The recording begins in mid-sentence. Item 27A.4 is a brief telephone exchange in October 1963 between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of State Dean Rusk. Secretary Rusk reports on Soviet officials and issues involving the Berlin access situation. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Machine noise follows the conversation. Item 27A.5 is a telephone conversation held in October 1963 between Personal Secretary Evelyn Lincoln and Gerald G. Wagner. Lincoln reports that she has not relayed Wagner’s letter. [White House Operator?] announces the call. Machine noise follows the conversation.Transcript included. Each item listed above is also available individually as an excerpt derived from this full-length digitized recording. See Related Records for more information.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-201-001
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s address at the Free University of Berlin in Berlin, Germany. In his speech the President thanks the school for the Honorary Citizen award bestowed upon him, describes his hopes for the reunification of Germany, and discusses the future of Berlin in the context of the ideals of truth, justice, and liberty.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-200-002
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s remarks at the United States Headquarters in West Berlin, Germany. In his speech the President commends the United States military forces for their efforts concerning German-Soviet relations and the division of the city of Berlin.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-200-001
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s remarks upon signing the Golden Book at the Rathaus Schöneberg on Rudolph Wilde Platz in Berlin, Germany. In his speech the President discusses his hopes for the reunification of Germany, and emphasizes the philosophical differences between capitalism and communism, noting, "Freedom is indivisible, and when one man is enslaved, all are not free." In his remarks President Kennedy famously proclaims, "Ich bin ein Berliner." The recording has been noticeably edited.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-198-008
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s toast to Willy Brandt, Mayor of West Berlin, during a luncheon in the Brandenburg Room of the Rathaus Schöneberg in Berlin, Germany.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-198-006
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s remarks upon arrival at Tegel Airport in Berlin, Germany. In his speech the President discusses the support of West Berlin by France, Great Britain, and the United States, and also how the morale and spirit of the people of West Berlin have inspired the world.
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.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-093
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of May 9, 1962 (News Conference (32). The President begins the press conference with a statement defending the pending legislation to withhold taxes on dividends and interests against misleading information distributed by the banks and savings and loan associations. Following this statement the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including negotiations with the Soviets over access control to Berlin, cease-fire violations in Laos, whether Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson would be dropped from the democratic ticket in the 1964 Presidential election, and if recent proposals concerning Berlin constituted a recognition of the East German Government by the United States.
Sound recording
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.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-063-003
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s recorded Christmas message to the people of West Berlin. In his speech President Kennedy discusses the international pursuit of peace.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-052
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of October 11, 1961 (News Conference 17). President Kennedy begins the press conference by announcing that General Maxwell D. Taylor will be undertaking a trip to Saigon to meet officials regarding the recent attacks on the people of South Vietnam. He then discusses his appointment of a panel to study the problem of mental retardation and recommend a program of action. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the situation in Berlin and the construction of the Berlin wall.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-048
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of August 30, 1961 (News Conference 16). President Kennedy begins the press conference by congratulating officials and residents of Atlanta, Georgia for the orderly manner in which four high schools were desegregated. He announces that the Foreign Ministers of France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and West Germany (Federal Republic) would be meeting on September 14, 1961 to consult about the situation in Berlin and the appointment of General Lucius Clay as his personal representative in Berlin. The President then reads the text of his message to the conference of unaligned states scheduled to convene in Belgrade on September 1, 1961. Following the announcements the President answeres questions from the press on a variety of topics including the situation in Berlin, United States-Soviet relations, and steel prices.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-047-006
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s remarks in the White House Fish Room upon the return of Vice President Lyndon Johnson from Germany. In his remarks President Kennedy discusses Vice President Johnson’s report on the division of the city of Berlin.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-045
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s address to the American public regarding the impending possibility of war between the United States and the Soviet Union over the crisis in Berlin, Germany. In his speech the President discusses the Soviet Union’s attempts to cut off American access to West Berlin, thus making it impossible to secure freedom from communism for the people of Berlin. President Kennedy also discusses the imminent threat of nuclear war and his plan to increase funding and manpower for the military, provide appropriate communications for air raid warnings, and ensure that all Americans have access to fall-out shelters in the event of a nuclear holocaust. The recording contains some distortion.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-043
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of July 19, 1961 (News Conference 14). President Kennedy begins the press conference by reading a statement concerning the situation in Germany following Communist threats to close the border to East Berlin. He then makes several brief announcements concerning the Untied States economy; and announces that he would not be attending the Inter-American Economic and Social Council in Montevideo, Uruguay, but would send a delegation led by Secretary of the Treasury Douglas Dillon in his place. Following these statements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including federal aid to education, defense expenditures and funds, the Freedom Riders movement, and Undersecretary of State Chester Bowles.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-119-005
Sound recording of a meeting about Berlin, Germany, held on November 5, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy, Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) John McCone, Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, United States Ambassador to the Soviet Union Llewellyn Thompson, and President Kennedy’s Personal Representative in Berlin General Lucius Clay. Topics of discussion include the stopping of a United States convoy in Berlin, a review of the situation, speculation on its significance, alternative courses of action, press guidance, the Soviet Union’s November celebration, diplomatic representation, the use of small force, Soviet ship movements, and possible Allied action. They also discuss the Ambassadorial Group, Soviet press coverage, and a possible conversation with the Canadian foreign minister. There is further discussion of the possible situation that may arise in Berlin and the possible U.S. response and contingency plans. One segment of the recording totaling 1 minute has been removed in accordance with Section 3.4 (b) (1), (3) of Executive Order 13526. This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 119/A55, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 119/A55 in its entirety.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-MTG-119-004
Sound recording of two meetings held on November 5, 1963. The first is a meeting about the Dominican Republic between President John F. Kennedy, United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic John Bartlow Martin, United States Ambassador to Chile Ralph Dungan, Assistant Secretary of State Edwin Martin, and Deputy Chief of Mission from the Department of State Spencer King. They discuss prospects for constitutional elections in the Dominican Republic, an assessment of the situation there, and prospects for the future. Second is a meeting about foreign policy between President John F. Kennedy and Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy. They discuss convoys in Berlin, Germany, and action by the Soviet Union against the French and the British and French stance. They also discuss problems concerning the ticketing of Russian journalists by police in Washington, D.C.; Berlin convoy access; and William Attwood and Prime Minister of Cuba Fidel Castro.
This sound recording has been excerpted from Tape 119/A55, which contains additional sound recording(s) preceding and following this one. See Related Records to access Tape 119/A55 in its entirety.