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Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-FTH-01
This interview focuses on John F. Kennedy’s relationship with the United States Catholic Conference, Catholicism and aid to education under the Kennedy Administration, and programs such as the Peace Corps, among other topics.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-BBH-01
In this interview Hickenlooper discusses various meetings with President John F. Kennedy [JFK] on foreign relations; Soviet and American nuclear testing; the nuclear test ban treaty; the Bay of Pigs invasion; Laos and Vietnam; the Punta del Este Conference in 1962; the Cuban Missile Crisis, 1962; Hickenlooper's 1962 reelection campaign; traveling with JFK to Costa Rica; the 1961 Berlin crisis; JFK's congressional relations; and social occasions at the Kennedy White House, 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-RFK-01
In this interview Robert F. Kennedy [RFK] discusses beginning John F. Kennedy's [JFK] presidential Administration with no political obligations; carefully picking Cabinet members, specifically Secretaries of State, Defense, and Treasury; RFK’s decision on what role to play in JFK’s Administration; JFK’s unhappiness with Dean Rusk as Secretary of State; JFK’s advisers and other presidential appointments; Cabinet meetings; Department of Justice organization under RFK; the first 100 days of the Kennedy Administration; the role of the Vice President, according to RFK; JFK’s relationship with Lyndon B. Johnson and why JFK put Johnson on the ticket in 1960; what JFK was most concerned with as President; domestic programs versus foreign affairs in the Kennedy Administration; Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.’s role during JFK’s presidency; the Bay of Pigs, the aftermath, and its effect on JFK; how JFK approached problems as President; dealing with Georgi Bolshakov; negotiating with the Soviet Union in Vienna, over Laos and Cuba, etc.; JFK’s relationship with foreign heads of state; State Department staff and U.S. Ambassadors; the military coup in Vietnam; the Berlin crisis of the summer of 1961 and the Berlin Wall; RFK’s 1961 trip to the Ivory Coast; and Soviet and American nuclear testing, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-JOFF-01
In this written statement Figueres discusses his memories of John F. Kennedy [JFK], the Bay of Pigs invasion, the Social Democratic Movement in Latin America, JFK’s assassination, the Alliance for Progress, and attending JFK’s funeral, among other issues.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-JEN-01
In this interview he discusses the Cuban prisoners release project, including working with Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy; why the Cubans agreed to the prisoners’ release; trips to Cuba and interactions with Fidel Castro; starting as the administrative assistant to the Attorney General; James B. Donovan; Castro’s view of the United States; problems with the prisoners’ release; and the significance of this project in regards to John F. Kennedy’s Administration as a whole, among other issues.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-26A-3
Sound recording of a telephone conversation held on August 19, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Under Secretary of State George W. Ball. They discuss foreign aid given to countries that engage in merchant shipping to Cuba. They also discuss foreign aid for India and negotiations with the Soviet Union on nuclear test inspections. They also discuss American troops in Europe and German officials’ views on the matter.Transcript included. This sound recording was originally recorded on Dictation Belt 26A, 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-26A, Title: Telephone recordings: Dictation Belt 26A.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-26A
Dictation Belt 26A contains six sound recordings. Item 26A.1 is a telephone conversation held on August 16, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of State Dean Rusk. In preparation for Secretary Rusk’s press conference, they discuss the prospect of answering a question about France and a treaty banning atmospheric nuclear weapons tests, later known as the Partial Test Ban Treaty (PTBT) or the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT). The recording begins in mid-conversation, and machine noise follows the conversation. Item 26A.1A is a telephone conversation between Personal Secretary Evelyn Lincoln and a White House Operator. The operator brings Lincoln up to date on President John F. Kennedy’s recent telephone calls. Machine noise follows the conversation. Item 26A.2 is a telephone conversation held on August 16, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson. They discuss the possibility of appointing United States Ambassador to Costa Rica Raymond L. Telles to a new position. They also discuss the prospects of political problems in California, where Latin American groups could resent a perceived favoritism in appointments given to Texans. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Item 26A.3 is a telephone conversation held on August 19, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Under Secretary of State George W. Ball. They discuss foreign aid given to countries that engage in merchant shipping to Cuba. They also discuss foreign aid for India and negotiations with the Soviet Union on nuclear test inspections. They also discuss American troops in Europe and German officials’ views on the matter. Item 26A.4 is a brief telephone exchange between President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. Attorney General Kennedy asks to visit President Kennedy to review an unidentified matter. Item 26A.5 is a brief fragment of a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and an unidentified man. The recording is noisy and ends abruptly. The full conversation (including this fragment) is recorded on Dictation Belt 26B.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
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-45
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy dictating memoranda. President Kennedy dictates the first memorandum to Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs McGeorge Bundy on a proposed article on counter-guerrilla tactics. President Kennedy dictates the second memorandum to Bundy on the policy for Cuba. President Kennedy dictates the third memorandum to Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Lyman Lemnitzer on troop levels in Vietnam. President Kennedy dictates the fourth memorandum to Secretary of State Dean Rusk on foreign aid, defense, and balance of payments involving West Germany and Europe. President Kennedy dictates the fifth memorandum to Special Assistant to the President Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr., on a proposed electoral commission.The recording begins in mid-sentence. Occasionally, the dictation belt skips.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-144
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of November 20, 1962 (News Conference 45). The President begins the press conference with an update on the Cuban Missile Crisis, stating that Soviet Prime Minister Nikita Khrushchev would withdraw IL-28 bomber planes in Cuba within 30 days and that the naval quarantine of Cuba was lifted as a result of the withdrawal. The President then announces the signing of Executive Order 11063, which prevented discrimination in housing facilities owned or operated by the federal government, and the creation of the Committee on Equal Opportunity in Housing. The President also announces advances in northeast India by the Chinese, and the deployment of a team headed by Assistant Secretary of State W. Averell Harriman to determine India’s military assistance needs. Following these statements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including Cuba, information policies between the press and the government, Executive Order 11063, and the current situation between India and China.
Sound recording
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.
Moving image
United States Government Agencies Collection
USG-01-25-2
Motion picture of President John F. Kennedy'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. This is the second of two versions.This is a recording by the United States Information Agency (USIA) and the White House Army Signal Agency (WHASA).
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-222-010
This folder contains Department of State telegrams regarding NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization). Subjects include NAC (North Atlantic Council) meetings, aid to Greece and Turkey from NATO, economic measures against Cuba, and revised NATO defense guidelines.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-314-002
This folder contains an agenda, background memoranda, a list of attendees, and a Record of Action for meeting number 508 of the National Security Council (NSC) wherein President John F. Kennedy discusses national security issues. Topics include Cuba; France, Great Britain, and a multilateral nuclear force; United States trade negotiations; foreign aid; and the economy. Of note is a meeting summary containing the President’s handwritten notes. Also included in this folder is a transcript of a news conference held by White House Press Secretary Pierre Salinger.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-111-014
This folder contains material collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning Argentina. Materials concern the Punta del Este conference, the Alliance for Progress, Cuba, aid to Argentina, and oil contracts in Argentina. Also included in this folder is correspondence between President Kennedy, President of Argentina Arturo Frondizi and President of Argentina José María Guido. This folder contains some foreign language material.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-111-012
This folder contains material collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning Argentina. Materials concern a scientific mission to Argentina to study Foot and Mouth disease and meat processing, a letter to President of Argentina Arturo Frondizi from President Kennedy regarding the Punta del Este conference, aid to Argentina, and the forced resignation of President Frondizi. Of note is correspondence between President Kennedy and the new President of Argentina José María Guido regarding the quarantine placed on Cuba. Also included in this folder are letters to President Kennedy from Don Emilio Donato del Carril resigning as Ambassador to the United States for Argentina and Dr. Roberto Alemann assuming the position vacated by del Carril. This folder contains some foreign language material.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-111-011
This folder contains material collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning Argentina. Materials concern a meeting between the President, the Argentine Minister of Economy Dr. Roberto Alemann, and the Argentine Ambassador Don Emilio Donato del Carril; and a request for aid to Argentina. Also included in this folder are a joint communiqué between President Kennedy and President of Argentina Arturo Frondizi, a letter to President Kennedy from President Frondizi regarding the Alliance for Progress, and a letter to President Frondizi from President Kennedy concerning Cuba. This folder contains some foreign language material.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-137-006
This folder contains a transcript of Montana Senator Mike Mansfield's statement to the United States Senate regarding foreign aid to Latin America. In his remarks, Senator Mansfield discusses the country's relationships with Cuba and calls for a new approach to financial aid to and international relations with Latin American countries that incorporates social, economic, and political considerations.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-054-001
This folder contains material collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning the President's News Conference of January 25, 1961 (News Conference 1). President Kennedy began the press conference with a statement concerning the scheduling of the Geneva negotiations for a nuclear test ban. He then announced that the United States Government had decided to increase famine relief for the Congo and that the Soviet Union had released two members from the crew of the United States Air Force RB-47 aircraft. Following the announcements the President answered 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. Background material in the folder include a memorandum concerning the proposed reconvening of the International Control Commission (ICC) in Laos; an update concerning the location of the hijacked Portuguese cruise ship the Santa Maria; drafts of press conference announcements; newswires; and briefing papers for the President on foreign affairs and national security. The official White House transcript of the press conference is also included.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-058-001
This folder contains material collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, for the President's News Conference of November 20, 1962 (News Conference 45). The President began the press conference with an update on the Cuban Missile Crisis, stating that Soviet Prime Minister Nikita Khrushchev would withdraw IL-28 bomber planes in Cuba within 30 days and that the naval quarantine of Cuba was lifted as a result of the withdrawal. The President then announced the signing of Executive Order 11063, which prevented discrimination in housing facilities owned or operated by the federal government, and the creation of the Committee on Equal Opportunity in Housing. The President also announced advances in northeast India by the Chinese, and the deployment of a team headed by Assistant Secretary of State W. Averell Harriman to determine India's military assistance needs. Following these statements the President answered questions from the press on a variety of topics including Cuba, information policies between the press and the government, Executive Order 11063, and the current situation between India and China. Background materials in this folder include briefing papers for the President on domestic and foreign affairs and national security, newspaper clippings, memorandums, and special reports from the Department of State and the United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency. Topics include the resumption of the Geneva Conference on November 26, 1962, the situation in Cuba, and a possible future Soviet satellite tracking station in Australia. The official White House transcript of the press conference and the stenotype transcript of the press conference are also included.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-064a-009
This folder contains memoranda between the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, and Walt W. Rostow, Deputy Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs. Topics include foreign aid, Laos, Vietnam, Cuba, guerilla warfare, and communism. Of note is an excerpt from the book “Gold and the Dollar Crisis,” by Robert Triffin.