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Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-MJH-01
In this interview Hillenbrand discusses President John F. Kennedy [JFK] entering office amid the Berlin crisis; working as the Director of the Office of German Affairs with JFK; the Berlin Task Force and the Ambassadorial Group; JFK's attitude towards the German problem and German reactions to the Kennedy Administration; the State Department and Germany; the 1961 Vienna talks with Nikita S. Khrushchev; the erection of the Berlin Wall and the crisis it generated; the Kennedy Administration's reaction and response to the Berlin Wall; talks with Russia over Berlin and the Wall; the press "leaks crisis" on the Germany problem; JFK's working style and approach to problems, according to Hillenbrand; the impact of the Cuban Missile Crisis on the Berlin talks; JFK's German policy and relationship with German leaders; and what JFK accomplished related to Germany, 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.
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1961-07-25-B
AR09, ST03
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-JLB-01
Bell discusses his contacts with and impressions of John F. Kennedy (JFK) as a senator, JFK’s relationship with Vice-President Lyndon Baines Johnson, and JFK’s assassination, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-OHB-01
Brandon discusses the evolution of John F. Kennedy’s (JFK) foreign policy views, the Bay of Pigs invasion, and the reaction in the Soviet Union to JFK’s assassination, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-PIL-02
This interview focuses on John F. Kennedy's foreign policy and the Kennedy administration's relationship with the press, among other topics.
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-DR-01
Rather discusses his impressions of John F. Kennedy [JFK] and Robert F. Kennedy [RFK], the Kennedy-Nixon debate, RFK’s relationship with Lyndon B. Johnson, JFK’s assassination, and negotiations surrounding the Zapruder film among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-PES-02
Salinger discusses the White House press corps, coverage of the White House, press conferences, the press secretaries of agencies, his role as liaison between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, ferrying secret correspondence between John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-PRP-01
This interview focuses on John F. Kennedy’s [JFK] relationship with the press prior to and during his presidency, among other topics.
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.
Oral history
Robert F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
RFKOH-JEN-05
In this interview Nolan discusses Robert F. Kennedy [RFK] right after John F. Kennedy’s assassination; RFK’s speeches and appearances in early 1964 and his plans to leave the Department of Justice; the trip to Europe in the summer of 1964; planning RFK’s visit to Poland; RFK in Germany and Poland; and RFK’s decision to run for Senate in New York in 1964 and his campaign, among other issues.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-035
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s remarks at a Press Club luncheon (News Conference 12) held at the Palais de Chaillot in Paris, France. In his address the President thanks the French people for their hospitality during his visit and famously introduces himself, stating, “I am the man who accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris—and I have enjoyed it!” President Kennedy then acknowledges three major changes in the world since World War II: economic growth and reconstruction in Europe, increasing concerns about nuclear warfare, and new global threats to human liberty and economic stability. The President’s speech is followed by a press question and answer session on various topics, including the President’s scheduled meeting with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, mutual security between European nations and the United States, and the strengths of the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Part of the question and answer session takes place in French. The recording cuts off abruptly during one speaker and contains some distortion.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-025-001
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy's address to the American Newspaper Publishers Association at a Bureau of Advertising dinner held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. In his speech President Kennedy addresses his discontent with the press' news coverage of the Bay of Pigs incident, suggesting that there is a need for "far greater public information" and "far greater official secrecy."
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-024-001
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy's address to the American Society of Newspaper Editors held at the Statler Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. In his speech President Kennedy discusses the purpose of American intervention abroad and the spread of communist ideology to Latin America and Southeast Asia, with particular emphasis on the Bay of Pigs incident that occurred in Cuba four days prior. The recording cuts off abruptly during the President's remarks.
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-152
Sound recording of the third 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 the responsibilities of the press, his new perspective on Congressional activities, and foreign policy, with particular emphasis on Cuba, the Soviet Union, military weapons development, and nuclear weapons proliferation. The President discusses the creation of new programs, such as the Peace Corps and the Alliance for Progress, and cites his administration’s domestic accomplishments concerning labor, civil rights, social security, and area redevelopment. The interview includes remarks from journalists Bill Lawrence of ABC, George H. Herman of CBS, and Sander Vancour of NBC. The interview was recorded on December 16, 1962, and broadcast on December 17, 1962. Parts one and two of the interview begin with JFKWHA-150 and JFKWHA-151, respectively.
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-150
Sound recording of the first 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 the state of the American economy, his relationships with his advisers, and foreign policy, with particular emphasis on Cuba and the Soviet Union. The interview includes remarks from journalists Bill Lawrence of ABC, George H. Herman of CBS, and Sander Vancour of NBC. The interview was recorded on December 16, 1962, and broadcast on December 17, 1962. Parts two and three of the interview continue with JFKWHA-151 and JFKWHA-152, respectively.
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1963-07-26-D
AR39
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1961-03-23-D
AR05, ST01
Textual folder
Theodore C. Sorensen Personal Papers
TCSPP-072-008
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-226-002
This file contains materials for President John F. Kennedy in response to a memo from the President to Secretary of State Dean Rusk and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara regarding eight questions on United States nuclear policy towards France and European nuclear matters. Also included in this folder are copies of articles by Raymond Aron published in the French newspaper Le Figaro discussing relations between the U.S. and France.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-226-001
This file contains memoranda, telegrams, and draft papers regarding the United States policy towards France and the French nuclear program, nuclear assistance to France by the U.S. and Great Britain, a nuclear program within NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization), and press attitudes toward a nuclear sharing program with France. Also included in this folder is a paper by Malcolm W. Hoag titled, “Nuclear Control After Nassau.”