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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-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-CMR-01
This interview covers John F. Kennedy’s statements to the media and the Kennedy administration’s approach to international relations, especially concerning military involvement in Vietnam, the Cuban Missile Crisis, and the Bay of Pigs, among other topics.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-215
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of September 12, 1963 (News Conference 61). The President begins the press conference with a statement on the importance of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, and urges the Senate to pass the legislation. He goes on to announce that in the previous two weeks, schools in 150 Southern cities were desegregated with little difficulty. Following these statements the President answers questions on a variety of topics including the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, Vietnam, Cuba, and civil rights.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-210
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of August 20, 1963 (News Conference 60). The President begins the press conference with a statement urging the House of Representatives to pass the Mutual Defense and Assistance Bill of 1964, stating that the foreign aid program is essential to the strength of the free world. Following this announcement the President answers questions on a variety of topics including the four safeguards proposed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff to protect the country under the limited language of the Limited Test Ban Treaty (LTBT), the upcoming civil rights march in Washington D.C., atmospheric nuclear testing, British Guiana, and legislation.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-208
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of August 1, 1963 (News Conference 59). The President begins the press conference with a statement on the importance of education and urged parents and members of the community to help children stay in school. Following this announcement the President answers questions on a variety of topics including the nuclear test ban treaty, underground testing for nuclear weapons, miscegenation laws, civil rights demonstrations, and the second anniversary of the Alliance for Progress.
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-087
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of April 18, 1962 (News Conference 31). The President begins the press conference by announcing that the United States had that day presented an outline of basic provisions for a treaty on general and complete nuclear disarmament at Geneva. He then says a few words in follow-up to the previous week’s events concerning steel prices emphasizing the goodwill and the commonality of goals between his administration and American industry. Then he announces that he had directed the Army to cancel the trial of reservist Private Larry D. Chidester and to remit the balance of sentence of reservist Private Bernis G. Owen, both court marshaled for their complaints about being called up for active service. Finally, the President briefly announces the release of reports by the Presidential Commission on Campaign Costs and that former First Lady Mamie Eisenhower has agreed to serve as honorary co-chairman, with First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, of the National Cultural Center. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the situation with the steel industry, nuclear disarmament and the status of a test ban treaty, and the situation in Berlin.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-081
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of March 21, 1962 (News Conference 28). The President begins the press conference with an announcement concerning the reply he received from Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to his letter regarding on United States-Soviet cooperation in outer space exploration. Following this announcement the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including disarmament discussions in Geneva, the United Nations bond issue proposal, Guantanamo Bay, and demonstrations by United States military reservists.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-079
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of March 14, 1962 (News Conference 27). The President begins the press conference by reading an excerpt of his letter to Secretary of State Dean Rusk regarding the United Nations disarmament conference in Geneva and United States policy objectives for the conference. Following this announcement the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the possible cutting of funds for foreign aid, the current state of the economy, nuclear testing, and the Alliance for Progress.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-078
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of March 7, 1962 (News Conference 26). The President begins the press conference by reading the text of a telegram he sent to the chief executive officers of the major steel companies and to the President of the Steelworkers Union concerning steel labor negations. He then discusses the tariff and trade agreements obtained at Geneva between the United States and the European Common Market, the United Kingdom, and other countries. Following the announcements the President answers questions on a variety of topics including the forthcoming Geneva negotiations for a nuclear test ban treaty, foreign aid to underdeveloped countries, and possible legislative action by Congress concerning funds for the B-70 supersonic bomber.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-124
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of August 29, 1962 (News Conference 42). The President begins the press conference by announcing the retirement of Associate Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter for health reasons and the appointment of Secretary of Labor Arthur J. Goldberg to fill the vacancy. He also announces that the Soviet representative in Geneva has proposed a cut-off date of January 1, 1963 for all nuclear weapons testing. The President agrees with the proposed date and urges all affected governments to accelerate negotiations in order to meet the goal. The President then answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including nuclear test agreements, Berlin, the influx of supplies and technicians into Cuba from the Soviet Union, and a scientific investigation into the side effects of pesticides, particularly DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane).
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-028
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of May 5, 1961 (News Conference 11). President Kennedy begins the press conference with an update on the status of the nuclear test ban negotiations in Geneva. He then announces that Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson would be undertaking a fact finding mission to Asia; that the United States representative on the Council of the Organization of American states would be proposing a meeting of the Inter-American Economic and Social Council to discuss economic and social development in the Americas. Finally, he announces the sale of an aluminum extrusion plant in Adrian, Michigan. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including problems facing the United States as a free society, the United States space program, and the successful launching of the first American astronaut, Alan B. Shepard, into space.
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.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-164
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of February 21, 1963 (News Conference 50). The President begins the press conference with a statement regarding the needs of senior citizens, recommending a reduction in taxes and an increase in social security. He also announces a revised hospital insurance program bill. The President then urges the unions involved in the New York City newspaper strike to submit their differences independently so as to arrive at a swift resolution. Following this statement the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the attack on a shrimp boat by a Cuban MiG fighter aircraft, the tax program, and a nuclear test ban treaty.
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-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-071
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of February 7, 1962 (News Conference 23). The President begins the press conference by discussing United States nuclear disarmament policy and preparations by the United States to resume the atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons. He then expresses his pleasure over the Senate’s decision to retain the scholarship provision in the pending college-aid bill. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the guerilla war in South Vietnam, atmospheric nuclear testing, nuclear disarmament, and the status of negotiations for a test ban treaty.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-046
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of August 10, 1961 (News Conference 15). President Kennedy begins the press conference with statements concerning Great Britain’s entry into the European Market and the positive response to the Peace Corp proposal. The President then discusses a recent report from the special panel on nuclear testing and announces that he that he had asked Ambassador Arthur H. Dean to return to Geneva to continue negotiations for a test ban treaty. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the situation in Berlin, the resumption of nuclear testing, and the proper role of military officers involved in public education about the dangers of communism.
Textual folder
Theodore C. Sorensen Personal Papers
TCSPP-036-012
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
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.