President John F. Kennedy stated that the United States would be the first to put a man on the moon saying, “I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth,” in a special address to Congress on May 25, 1961. Later, in a speech at Rice University, he said: “We … [Read more...] about May 25, 1961
Today In History
January 25, 1961
On January 25th, 1961 President Kennedy gave a live televised news conference - a first in American politics. Setting the general trend for future presidential press conferences, Kennedy gave prepared remarks and then fielded questions from reporters. The topics covered ranged from relations with Cuba and famine in the Congo to the national concerns of voting rights and food … [Read more...] about January 25, 1961
December 10, 1960
On this day in 1960, actor Kenneth Branagh was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland. At the age of nine, he relocated to England with his family to escape the Troubles. He quickly picked up an English accent to avoid bullying in school. He attributes his love of words to his Irish heritage and has remarked "I don't think you can take Belfast out of the boy." Branagh is best known … [Read more...] about December 10, 1960
June 17, 1959
June 17, 1959 marked the fourth presidential election in Ireland, during which Eamon de Valera was elected. Former Taoiseach and Fianna Fail leader de Valera defeated Fine Gael's candidate Sean Mac Eoin. De Valera was formally inaugurated on June 25, 1959. … [Read more...] about June 17, 1959
March 8, 1959
On this day in 1959, actor Aidan Quinn was born in Chicago to Irish immigrant parents. A leading actor of both the stage and film, he spent his childhood living in United States and Ireland. He moved to Dublin in his late teens, trying his hand at the local theatre scene. He made his New York debut in an off-Broadway staging of Sam Shepherd's "Fool for Love." He began receiving … [Read more...] about March 8, 1959