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Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-ECW-01
Welsh discusses the development of the space program under John F. Kennedy [JFK] and Lyndon B. Johnson. He covers the collaboration of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Space Council, and the Department of Defense. He also discusses the space race with the Soviet Union, the lunar program, and communications satellites, among other issues.
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-125-010
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s remarks at the Launch Operations Center (later known as the Kennedy Space Center) for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in Cape Canaveral, Florida. In his speech President Kennedy discusses the United States’ recent progress in space exploration and its relation to the country’s interactions with the former Soviet Union.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-122
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of August 22, 1962 (News Conference 41). The President begins the press conference with a statement concerning the historic rendezvous under the Arctic ice pack between two nuclear powered submarines, the USS Skate and the USS Sea Dragon. He then states the importance of five measures Congress was to act upon within the next seven days: the farm bill that extends the current feed grain program an additional year and repealed the 1958 Benson feed grain approach; the drug bill; a constitutional amendment to outlaw the poll tax in federal elections; the trade expansion bill; and the United Nations (UN) bond bill. Following these statements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including domestic and foreign affairs, the space program, the economy, the delay in the approval of Thurgood Marshall to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, and an increase in supplies and technicians into Cuba from the Soviet Union.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-074
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of February 21, 1962 (News Conference 25).The President begins the press conference with a statement concerning the successful orbiting of the earth by astronaut Colonel John Glenn in which he discusses the historical impact of the Colonel’s achievement, expressed his gratitude for congratulatory messages received from foreign heads of states, and pays tribute to those foreign governments whose cooperation allowed for the successful operation of the Mercury program tracking network. He then discusses a message he had received from Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in which the Premier suggested that it could be beneficial to the advancement of science if the Soviet Union and the United States cooperated in outer space exploration. Following this statement the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the possibility of United States-Soviet space cooperation, the situation in Berlin, nuclear testing, and the urban affairs proposal.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. White House Staff Files of Pierre Salinger
JFKWHSFPS-010-010
Photograph folder
White House Photographs
JFKWHP-1962-05-03-A
AR20, ST10, KN16
Moving image
United States Government Agencies Collection
USG-01-15
Motion picture narrated by Charlton Heston and focusing on the national and international scene during the month of June, 1963. Events covered include activities at the Vatican, with the election and coronation of Pope Paul VI as successor to the late Pope John XXIII, the launching of a Soviet rocket and background on the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union, battles in South Vietnam between Communists and South Vietnamese soldiers, the integration of the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, with the admission of African-American students Vivian Malone and James Hood while Alabama Governor George C. Wallace stood by in opposition, and President John F. Kennedy's trip to Berlin, Germany, and his remarks upon signing the Golden Book at the Rathaus Schöneberg on Rudolph Wilde Platz. In his remarks President Kennedy famously proclaims, "Ich bin ein Berliner."Directed by: Walter de Hoog and Bruce Herschensohn.
Screenplay and Music by: Bruce Herschensohn.
Narrated by: Charlton Heston.
"A News of the Day Production."
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-183-001
This folder contains correspondence between President John F. Kennedy and Soviet Union Premier Nikita Khrushchev. Topics include relations between the United States and Soviet Union, Berlin and German unification, disarmament, nuclear testing, Laos, space flights, and the Bay of Pigs invasion. Also included in this folder are letters from Premier Khrushchev to President Dwight D. Eisenhower and John J. McCloy, Advisor to President Kennedy on Disarmament. This folder contains some Russian-language material.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-295-017
This folder contains a Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) News transcript of the “Washington Report” concerning President John F. Kennedy’s radio and television address on civil rights, desegregation, legislation to protect the rights of all Americans, President Kennedy’s upcoming visit to Germany, the Cold War, the Soviet Union, and the space race.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-037-031
This folder contains materials collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning President Kennedy's address at the University of California's 94th Charter Day held at Memorial Stadium at the school's Berkeley campus. In his speech the President discusses the important role education plays in intellectual and political leadership, and addresses the recent decision between the United States and the Soviet Union to seek agreements on joint exploration of space. Materials in this folder include drafts by Special Counsel and speechwriter Theodore Sorensen, a press copy, and reading copies of the speech, in addition to a program for the Charter Day ceremony, a memorandum concerning humorist Finley Peter Dunne's representation of honorary degrees, and a commemorative booklet published by the University of California at Berkeley.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-307-005
This folder contains memoranda regarding the launch of meteorological satellite TIROS III and providing space launcher assistance to other countries. Also included in this folder is a report by the United States Air Force discussing the U.S. space program and the following goals: earliest practicable achievement of manned lunar exploration, early international operational satellite communication capability, early international satellite weather prediction capability, an aggressive program of scientific investigation, and support of an adequate booster program capable of meeting civilian and military needs.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-307-004
This folder includes a memorandum regarding a budget increase in the Department of Defense for Project VELA, a report by the USIA (United States Information Agency) Office of Research and Analysis of international reaction to the Soviet Union’s manned space flight, and a review by the Bureau of the Budget of proposed increases for space programs. Also included in this folder is a report by James E. Webb, Administrator for NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration), and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara titled, “Recommendations for our National Space Program: Changes, Policies, Goals.”
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-307-003
This folder contains memoranda and a report regarding the Soviet Union’s activities in space including a launch of a probe in the direction of the planet Venus. Also included in this folder is a report by the Air Force Space Study Committee concerning a development gap in the space programs of the Soviet Union and United States, a threat to the national security of the U.S., satellites, payload sizes in orbit, the development of launch vehicles, space weapons systems, the manned space program, and ICBMs (intercontinental ballistic missiles).
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-308-007
This folder includes a paper by the United States Arms Control and Disarmament Agency concerning a potential arrangement between the United States and Soviet Union for the placement of weapons of mass destruction in space; and drafts of resolutions, declarations, and agreements by the U.S., Soviet Union, and United Nations regarding the weapons in space.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-308-006
This folder contains memoranda and excerpts of newspaper articles, speeches, statements, and press conferences by President John F. Kennedy concerning a collaboration between the United States and Soviet Union for space exploration. Also included in this folder are memoranda and newspaper articles regarding a Soviet desire to terminate discussions for a space agreement and a request to ban reconnaissance satellites.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-308-005
This folder contains cables sent within the Department of State concerning Soviet Union manned spacecrafts Vostok III and IV; meetings of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and Legal Subcommittee; Project West Ford, a United States space communications experiment; and a bilateral agreement between the U.S. and Soviet Union for collaboration on space activities, including numerous revisions by the Soviet Union.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-308-004
This folder contains cables sent within the Department of State concerning United States military space activities, meetings of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space and the Legal Subcommittee, and a bilateral agreement between the U.S. and Soviet Union for collaboration on space activities including meteorological satellites and geomagnetic mapping.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-308-003
This folder contains memoranda regarding the United States lunar landing program, a statement by Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev on the withdrawal of the Soviet Union from the lunar race, and a proposal by the U.S. for a joint U.S.-Soviet Union lunar program. Of note are memoranda from Lt. Colonel John H. Glenn regarding proposals for a joint U.S.-Soviet Union space program and international space flight scientific briefings. Also included in this folder is a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) brief on the Soviet space program and a paper by Dr. Charles S. Sheldon of the National Aeronautics and Space Council comparing the U.S. and Soviet space programs.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-308-002
This folder contains memoranda regarding an article by Francis Drake published in Reader’s Digest titled, “We’re Running the Wrong Race with Russia,” about the focus of space activities by the United States and Soviet Union. Also included in this folder are a speech by James E. Webb, Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), on the U.S. space program and a report by The RAND Corporation titled, “Political-Strategic Implications of Military Space Activities (U),” discussing U.S. military space programs and capabilities, and the Soviet Union’s space program.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-308-001
This folder primarily contains the BNSP (Basic National Security Policy) Planning Task I (1): “Implications of Outer Space in the 1970’s,” a policy paper discussing competition between the United States and Soviet Union in space, utilization of satellites for communication and observation, arms control, space weapons, and orbital nuclear delivery vehicles.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-307-011
This folder contains memoranda regarding the probability of the Soviet Union to establish a space station; possible adverse environmental effects of large-scale experiments; a comparison of the space program and NASA's (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) budget to previous administrations; and a memorandum by The RAND Corporation titled, “Military Space Activities and the Cold War (U),” summarizing space programs and actions by the Soviet Union. Also included in this folder is a report of a meeting of the Legal Subcommittee of the United Nations General Assembly Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space by Leonard C. Meeker, Deputy Legal Adviser, Department of State, and U.S. delegate to the committee.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-307-010
This folder contains memoranda and drafts regarding procedures for handling space vehicle fragments, inaccuracies in submissions to the United Nations (UN) Space Registry by the Soviet Union, policy issues regarding the 1964 Federal budget and the space program, a draft of a speech on space given by Senator Albert Gore, United States policy on space, and policy regarding the astronauts of Project MERCURY. Also included in this folder is an issue of the Department of State’s publication Bulletin containing a statement by Adlai Stevenson, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, on the Dryden-Blagonravov Agreement, a cooperative program between the Soviet Union and U.S. for exploration in the fields of meteorology, world geomagnetic survey, and satellite telecommunications.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-307-009
This folder contains memoranda regarding the Soviet Union and space exploration, including general flight activities, unreported failures, and registration of space launchings to the United Nations General Assembly Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Also included in this folder is a report by the Space Vehicle Panel of the President’s Science Advisory Committee concerning technical problems and issues for a lunar landing.
Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-307-007
This folder contains memoranda regarding the law of outer space, a letter and a Concurrent Resolution proposed by Representative Olin Teague expressing concerns about national security with collaborations in space between the United States and the Soviet Union, and a draft of U.S. policy on outer space. Also included in this folder is a report by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly Ad Hoc Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space dated, July 14, 1959. Topics include communications satellites, arrangements for an international operational system, liability for space vehicle incidents, and UN registry of space launchers.