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Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-JHH-01
In this interview Herling discusses John F. Kennedy [JFK] as part of the House Labor Committee headed by Andrew Jacobs; JFK’s understanding of labor issues; Robert F. Kennedy [RFK] and JFK as part of the McClellan Committee [U.S. Senate Select Committee on Improper Activities in Labor and Management]; RFK’s dinner with Edward Cheyfitz and James Hoffa and the attempted infiltration of the McClellan Committee; McClellan Committee hearings; George Meany testifying before the subcommittee on labor affairs of the Senate Labor and Education Committee and JFK’s reaction; labor unions’ support for JFK in the 1960 presidential campaign; the 1960 Democratic National Convention; Lyndon B. Johnson asking for labor support right before the 1960 Convention; the negative reaction to Johnson as the vice-presidential candidate from labor delegates; JFK and the Landum-Griffin Bill; and covering JFK’s 1960 campaign, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-EWH-01
In this interview Henry discusses working on John F. Kennedy’s [JFK] 1960 presidential campaign as part of the Nationalities Division of the Democratic National Committee; getting the vote of different ethnic groups in the 1960 presidential election; impressions of JFK; joining the Kennedy Administration and the Federal Communications Commission [FCC]; Newton Minow as Chairman of the FCC and his successes; the relationship between the FCC and Congress and between the FCC and the broadcasting industry; keeping the broadcasting industry fair; White House involvement in FCC conflicts with the broadcasting industry; and meeting with JFK on November 20, 1963, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-AUG-01
In this interview Heckscher discusses John F. Kennedy [JFK] and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis as an “inspiration to cultural life”; Heckscher’s involvement in government affairs prior to becoming a Special Consultant to the President; the invitation of 168 artists to JFK’s 1961 inauguration and its impact; how Heckscher came to work for the White House; discussing Heckscher’s position with Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.; the reasoning behind the creation of the new position of Special Consultant on the Arts and the favorable public reaction to it; enlarging the definition of “The Arts,” especially regarding architecture; Arthur Goldberg; the establishment of the Freedom Medal; creating the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts through executive order; personal impressions of JFK; setting up Heckscher’s office and staff; how Heckscher was meant to advise JFK and what his position entailed; the Cultural Center [Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts]; conversations with JFK; Mrs. Kennedy’s expansive work for the arts; the arts as part of national policy; working with other White House staff members and other Departments; designing special postage stamps; what the President’s role in the arts should be; and the Fine Arts Commission, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-ENL-01
In this interview Lincoln discusses how she started working for John F. Kennedy [JFK] when he was in Congress; moving JFK from the House of Representatives to the Senate; JFK’s Senate office organization; Senator JFK’s relationship with the Massachusetts press; Senator JFK’s speeches and decisions; and Senator JFK’s travels between Massachusetts and Washington, D.C., among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-RFK-03
In this interview Robert F. Kennedy [RFK] discusses the 1962 steel crisis; some major issues and accomplishments of John F. Kennedy’s [JFK] presidency; choosing the U.S. Ambassador to Russia; foreign aid and treaties; the military coup in Peru; the space race during the Kennedy Administration; the 1962 congressional and gubernatorial campaigns; JFK’s dinner for the Nobel Prize winners; the Polaris submarines; problems with the New York Herald Tribune; New York politics; various pieces of federal legislation, 1961–1963; the Dominican Republic; Department of Justice investigations under RFK; the difficulties of being Attorney General; congressional issues in early 1963; the Vietnam War escalation in 1963; American support of the coup in Vietnam; Henry Cabot Lodge as the U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam; the prisoners from the Bay of Pigs invasion; American actions in Cuba; unemployment and civil rights; RFK’s meeting with James Baldwin; JFK’s trips to the South and speeches on civil rights; the nuclear test ban treaty; and JFK’s trip to Ireland and Rome, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-RFK-02
In this interview Robert F. Kennedy [RFK] discusses the 1961 Berlin crisis; American forces, military and diplomatic, in Germany; John F. Kennedy’s [JFK] recommendation for Americans to have fallout shelters; nuclear testing; problems with the Department of State; the start of the conflict in Vietnam, 1961; the Department of Justice under RFK and organized crime; RFK’s difficult relationship with J. Edgar Hoover; the wiretapping bill; new federal judgeships in 1961 and other presidential appointments; the Alliance for Progress; Red China; crises during JFK’s presidency and how he was an optimist; RFK’s move for an income tax increase during the Berlin crisis; RFK’s disagreements with President JFK; indecisiveness over picking JFK’s running mate, 1960; the missile gap; fighting and UN operations in the Congo; Nikita S. Khrushchev’s speeches; RFK’s 1962 trip to Japan, Indonesia, Germany, and other countries; the release of Allen L. Pope; Dutch disputes in Southeast Asia; the 1961 crisis in the Dominican Republic and the assassination of Rafael Leonidas Trujillo Molina; the 1962 disarmament conference in Geneva; Edward M. Kennedy’s 1962 campaign for U.S. Senate; the Kennedy family national and political reputation; the Justice Department under RFK and civil rights; and the 1962 steel crisis, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-RD-01
Donahue discusses his work on John F. Kennedy’s (JFK) 1952 and 1958 Senate campaigns and 1960 presidential campaign, and JFK’s involvement in Massachusetts and national politics during that time period, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-MAD-01
Donahue discusses John F. Kennedy (JFK) and Foster Furcolo’s relationship, JFK and Paul A. Dever’s 1952 political campaigns, and JFK’s 1956 vice presidential bid, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-CUD-01
Daly discusses his role as a congressional liaison, staffing issues, congressional reform, civil rights, and President John F. Kennedy’s personal friendships, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-EMC-01
Washington, DC Newspaper Correspondent, discusses covering John F. Kennedy’s time in Washington D.C. as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and as President, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-HHW-02
Wilson discusses his role as a member of John F. Kennedy’s [JFK] staff, including descriptions of other staff members and his interactions with them. He also covers JFK’s relationship with Congress, various legislative bills, and his thoughts on Lyndon B. Johnson, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-TGW-02
In this interview Wicker discusses John F. Kennedy's [JFK] unique way of giving speeches; Lyndon B. Johnson’s unhappiness with his position as Vice President; Anthony J. Celebrezze’s appointment to the Cabinet, 1962; Wicker’s sources for Kennedy Without Tears; traveling with JFK to Texas in November, 1963; the motorcade through Dallas on November 22, 1963; the confusion after the shooting and learning what happened; gathering information from witnesses and hospital staff at Parkland Hospital; the announcement of JFK’s death and the general atmosphere after; Johnson’s swearing in as President; reporting on the day’s events from the airport; and the rapid transition to the Johnson White House, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-TGW-01
In this interview Wicker discusses early impressions of John F. Kennedy [JFK], 1952–1961; Lyndon B. Johnson campaigning for JFK in the South, 1960; Richard M. Nixon and Henry Cabot Lodge’s 1960 presidential campaign; JFK and Johnson in the August 1960 special session of Congress; Wicker’s first interview with President JFK for the New York Times, 1961; building a rapport with JFK’s staff; various Times articles, by Wicker and others, about the Kennedy Administration and White House reactions to them; Wicker’s arguments with Pierre E.G. Salinger over certain articles; year-end briefings in Palm Beach; and President JFK’s press conferences, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-JEM-01
This interview focuses on John F. Kennedy’s dealings with members of Congress and the handling of sensitive information during the Kennedy administration, particularly during the Cuban Missile Crisis, among other topics.