Close
Not finding the information you're looking for? Please contact the Archives research staff.
Oral history
John F. Kennedy Oral History Collection
JFKOH-JTB-01
Burke discusses the advertising and political strategies employed in John F. Kennedy’s 1952 Senate campaign against Henry Cabot Lodge, 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-TGW-01
In this interview Wicker discusses early impressions of John F. Kennedy [JFK], 1952–1961; Lyndon B. Johnson campaigning for JFK in the South, 1960; Richard M. Nixon and Henry Cabot Lodge’s 1960 presidential campaign; JFK and Johnson in the August 1960 special session of Congress; Wicker’s first interview with President JFK for the New York Times, 1961; building a rapport with JFK’s staff; various Times articles, by Wicker and others, about the Kennedy Administration and White House reactions to them; Wicker’s arguments with Pierre E.G. Salinger over certain articles; year-end briefings in Palm Beach; and President JFK’s press conferences, among other issues.
Sound recording
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. President's Office Files.
JFKPOF-TPH-16A
Dictation Belt 16A contains five sound recordings. Item 16A.1 is a recording of remarks made by President John F. Kennedy to an unidentified group of visitors. The remarks concern the United States economy. This is not a telephone conversation. The recording begins in mid-sentence. Item 16A.2 is a fragment of a telephone conversation held on March 26, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. They discuss congressional hearings. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Item 16A.3 is a telephone conversation held on March 26, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara. They discuss hearings concerning the TFX airplane. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Item 16A.4 is a telephone conversation between President John F. Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. They discuss Senate hearings concerning the TFX airplane. They also discuss a raid by Cuban exiles targeting a ship, concerns about a Russian ship being targeted, and consultations with John A. McCone. The recording begins in mid-conversation. Item 16A.5 is a telephone conversation held on March 28, 1963, between President John F. Kennedy and Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs William R. Tyler. They discuss press reports of Canadian Prime Minister John G. Diefenbaker possessing a working paper written by Walt W. Rostow on relations between the United States and Canada.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
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-205
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of July 17, 1963 (News Conference 58). The President begins the press conference with an update on the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty negotiations occurring in Moscow between the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union, and expresses satisfaction at their progress. He then announces the preliminary budget results for fiscal year 1963 and urges a reduction and revision of taxes in order to further boost the economy. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the space program, Cuba, civil rights demonstrations, and the current economic state of the country.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-195-003
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s filmed remarks for the CBS network in response to questions concerning the tax cut bill, tax policy, Government spending, and the Federal debt.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-114
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of July 23, 1962 (News Conference 39). The President begins the press conference by announcing that part of the conference is being broadcast across the Atlantic Ocean by the Telstar communications satellite. He then states the importance of the satellite to provide fast communication, resulting in peace and security for all people. Following this statement the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including a possible peace treaty between the Soviet Union and East Germany (Democratic Republic), nuclear testing by the Soviet Union, tax cut hearings, the domestic economy, foreign affairs, Martin Luther King, Jr. and segregation, strike increases, and the appointment of General Lyman Lemnitzer as Commander in Chief of U.S. Forces in Europe.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-112
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of July 5, 1962 (News Conference 38). The President begins the press conference by stating his support for two bills, one concerning foreign aid, and the second concerning medical care for the elderly. Following these statements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the Atlantic Alliance, current and future relations with the Soviet Union, the Sugar Act, a meeting between Martin Luther King, Jr. and the Chairman of the Federal Home Loan Bank Board, the domestic economy, and the Chamizal Zone in El Paso, Texas.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-106
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of June 14, 1962 (News Conference 36). The President begins the press conference with a statement concerning the strike being threatened by the flight engineers union against three major airlines, Trans World Airlines (TWA), Pan American World Airways (Pan Am), and Eastern Airlines. He states that a strike could have a significant effect on the economy and urged the flight engineers to reconsider striking and find some other means of settling their dispute without interrupting airline operation. Following this statement the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including why government deficits are not necessarily inflationary or harmful, the economy, support for his legislative program, the proposed farm bill, United States foreign policy, and foreign aid.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-102
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of June 7, 1962 (News Conference 35). The President begins the press conference with a statement concerning the economic outlook of the United States and his administration’s economic program. He then announces that he is asking Congress to enact across the board reductions in personal and corporate income tax rates on January 1, 1963 in order to aid economic recovery. Following this statement the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the foreign aid program, the 1962 tax bill, the proposed tax bill for 1963, whether the United States will assist France in the development of nuclear weapons, and the plan announced by United States Surgeon General Luther Terry to investigate the link between cigarette smoking and disease.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-100
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of May 23, 1962 (News Conference 34). During this press conference President Kennedy answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the Chinese refugee problem in Hong Kong, the reaction of the American Medical Association (AMA) to his medical care for the aged plan, the Billie Sol Estes case, and the recently concluded White House Conference on National Economic Issues.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-093
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of May 9, 1962 (News Conference (32). The President begins the press conference with a statement defending the pending legislation to withhold taxes on dividends and interests against misleading information distributed by the banks and savings and loan associations. Following this statement the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including negotiations with the Soviets over access control to Berlin, cease-fire violations in Laos, whether Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson would be dropped from the democratic ticket in the 1964 Presidential election, and if recent proposals concerning Berlin constituted a recognition of the East German Government by the United States.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-084
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of March 29, 1962 (News Conference 29). The President begins the press conference by announcing the retirement of Associate Supreme Court Justice Charles Evans Whittaker for health reasons. He then briefly discusses the importance of the tax revision bill before the House of Representatives and the obstacle of nuclear test inspections to the test ban treaty. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including steel industry negotiations, the Supreme Court reapportionment decision in Baker v. Carr [369 U.S. 186 (1962)], the prospect of a balanced budget, and trade legislation increasing carpet and glass tariffs.
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-130
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s News Conference of September 26, 1962 (News Conference 44). The President begins the special press conference by greeting the delegates to the White House Conference of Business Editors and Publishers and summarizing the current state of the economy. He states that the United States is moving forward to meet a number of economic goals and emphasizes the importance of the free market system and maintaining a close relationship with business. Following these statements the President answers questions from the delegates on a variety of topics including the Administration’s relationship with the business world, the economy, union shops in the aerospace industry, the status of the Wilderness bill, and removal of agricultural inequities.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-125-004
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s remarks recorded in the White House Fish Room for a Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) television series on economics. In his speech President Kennedy discusses some of the administration's current economic challenges, and explains how a citizenry informed on economic issues can improve the country's wellbeing.
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-116
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of August 1, 1962 (News Conference 40). The President begins the press conference with a statement against the sedative thalidomide and its harmful side effects. He praises the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Dr. Francis Kelsey for preventing the commercial distribution of thalidomide in the United States, and announced a 25 percent increase in FDA staff. The President also emphasizes the importance of legislative safeguards for pharmaceuticals and states his support for the bill introduced by Congressman Oren Harris. The President also announces a review of technical issues associated with a test ban treaty and urged the House of Representatives to support the United Nations bond proposal. Following these statements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including civil rights in Albany, Georgia; nuclear testing; the economy; disarmament; foreign affairs; the Alianzo para el Progreso (Alliance for Progress); and the rumored resignation of Ambassador to France James M. Gavin.
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-016
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of March 8, 1961 (News Conference 6). President Kennedy begins the press conference by urging the public to support Radio Free Europe. He then announces that he would be making a statement concerning his views of problems in the Americas following an upcoming reception at the White House; that he has directed Federal departments and agencies to speed up government spending; and the upcoming visit of Swedish Prime Minister Tage Erlander to the United States. He then makes several statements concerning the building of schools for Native American and Inuit children, the distribution of surplus food, and the polio outbreak in Cuba. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the President’s economic program, the situation in Laos, and federal aid to education.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-013
Sound recording of the President's News Conference of March 1, 1961 (News Conference 5). President Kennedy begins the press conference by announcing the upcoming visit of German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer to the United States, proposed legislation to restore former President Eisenhower's military rank of General of the Army, the reduction in the outflow of gold to foreign countries, the reduction of home mortgage rates, and the establishment of the Peace Corps on a temporary pilot basis. Following the announcements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the Republic of the Congo, nuclear disarmament, the economy, and United States-Soviet relations.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-011
Sound recording of the President's News Conference of February 15, 1961 (News Conference 4). President Kennedy begins the press conference by reaffirming the United States support of the United Nations presence in the Republic of the Congo. He then announces the formal recognition of the Government of El Salvador by the United States, and briefly discusses his economic program. The announcements are followed by questions from the press on a variety of topics, including United States-Soviet relations, the launch of a Soviet space probe towards Venus, Cuba, and the situation in the Congo.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-175-004
Sound recording of President John F. Kennedy’s remarks at the annual convention of the American Society of Newspaper Editors held at the Statler-Hilton Hotel in Washington, D.C. In his speech the President discusses his administration's economic proposals and various programs he is advocating, especially those related to housing, health care, civil rights, employment, and urban renewal.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-067
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of January 15, 1962 (News Conference 20). President Kennedy begins the press conference by discussing how the current supply of scientific and technical manpower is inadequate to meet the growing demand within the United States. He then announces that he has asked the Science Advisory Council, in cooperation with the Federal Council for Science and Technology, to report on specific measures than could be taken to develop the necessary manpower to meet the country’s needs, and encourages young people to consider careers in science and technology. Following the announcement the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including the effect of foreign trade and competition on United States industry.
Sound recording
White House Audio Collection
JFKWHA-043
Sound recording of the President’s News Conference of July 19, 1961 (News Conference 14). President Kennedy begins the press conference by reading a statement concerning the situation in Germany following Communist threats to close the border to East Berlin. He then makes several brief announcements concerning the Untied States economy; and announces that he would not be attending the Inter-American Economic and Social Council in Montevideo, Uruguay, but would send a delegation led by Secretary of the Treasury Douglas Dillon in his place. Following these statements the President answers questions from the press on a variety of topics including federal aid to education, defense expenditures and funds, the Freedom Riders movement, and Undersecretary of State Chester Bowles.