A Night to Remember

This interactive picture book about cellist Pablo Casals's historic performance portrays the importance of the arts in the Kennedy White House, and the power of music to strengthen commitments to peace and freedom.

About this Resource

Grade Level
3
4
5
6
7
8
Time Required
0-1 hour
Curricular Resource Type
Lesson Plans & Activities
Curricular Resource Subject Area
The Arts
Civics and US Government
US History
Curricular Resource Topic
Arts & Culture
International Relations
Curricular Standards
Common Core
C3 Framework for Social Studies
National History Standards (UCLA)
National Council of Teachers of English
Massachusetts Framework - English Language Arts
Massachusetts Framework - History and Social Science
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On November 13, 1961, President and Mrs. Kennedy hosted a State Dinner for the governor of Puerto Rico, Luis Muñoz Marín, and his wife, Inés Mendoza de Muñoz. The Kennedys invited a world-renowned musician to perform at the event. The concert made history and was one of the most memorable musical events of the Kennedy presidency. What made it a historic concert? Why was the evening so memorable? Who was the musician and where was the person from?

Explore this interactive picture book to learn the story of this historic concert, the importance of the arts in the Kennedy White House, and the power of music to strengthen commitments to peace and freedom.

Download the picture book: A Night to Remember: The Kennedys Honor the Governor of Puerto Rico with an Historic Concert.

Download the Answer Key.

Additional resources:

JFK in History Essay: Arts and Culture in the Kennedy White House

Video: Jacqueline Kennedy Entertains

Blog post from the National Archives: A Night of Music in Honor of President and Mrs. Kennedy

Listen to Pablo Casals perform: audio and video from the Fundicio Pau Casals (Pablo Casals Foundation), including El Cant Dels Ocells (Song of the Birds.)

Audio program from the Kennedy Center narrated by actor Richard Dreyfuss - Art in Camelot: Music in the Kennedy White House