#OTD20 | September 12, 1962
JFK Pledges: "We go to the moon ..."
September 12, 1962: President John F. Kennedy delivers his iconic "We go to the moon" address at Rice University,
In his remarks, Kennedy sets a bold goal for the United States. He declares that by the end of the decade, America will land astronauts on the Moon.
Kennedy's visionary speech, delivered before a crowd of 35,000, galvanizes public support and leads to significant government investment. It marks a pivotal moment in the Apollo era, uniting the nation in a shared mission to explore the Moon.
Viewing Options
John F. Kennedy and the space race are chronicled in our curriculum-aligned film, The Sixties, from AMERICA IN THE 20TH CENTURY.
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#OTD20
Step back in time to experience the significant events that happened on this day in the 20th century.
September 30, 1938: Neville Chamberlain and the Munich Agreement – ‘Peace In Our Time’
#OTD20 — September 30, 1938: British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain believes war with German has been averted, declaring the Munich Agreement affords “peace in our time.”
September 25, 1919: Woodrow Wilson Incapacitated
#OTD20 | September 25, 1919 Woodrow Wilson’s Debilitating Stroke: A Secret Crisis in American Governance September 25, 1919: President Woodrow Wilson collapses while in Colorado, rallying public support for the League of Nations. The president is rushed back to Washington.
Continue Reading “September 25, 1919: Woodrow Wilson Incapacitated”
September 24, 1957: Ike Orders Federal Troops into Little Rock
#OTD20 —On September 23, 1957: President Eisenhower orders federal troops into Little Rock, Arkansas to ensure the integration of Central High School.
September 23, 1952: Nixon’s Checkers Speech
#OTD20 — September 23, 1952: Explore the enduring legacy of Richard Nixon’s 1952 Checkers speech, a moment that changed American politics forever.
September 23, 1913: Colorado Coalfield War begins
#OTD20 — September 23, 1952: A strike by miners in the Colorado coalfields leads to a violent, year-long conflict known as the Colorado Coalfield War. Explore its origins, key events, and lasting impact.
September 22, 1961: The Peace Corps is Created
#OTD20 — September 22, 1961: President Kennedy’s vision comes to life with the establishment of the Peace Corps, igniting an era of global volunteerism and outreach.
September 21, 1949: Mao Zedong Declares People’s Republic of China
#OTD20 — September 21, 1949: Mao Zedong makes the historic proclamation of the People’s Republic of China, transforming the balance of geopolitical power in the Cold War.
September 20, 1962: James Meredith Blocked at Ole Miss
#OTD20 — September20, 1962: James Meredith attempts to register at the University of Mississippi but is obstructed by Governor Ross Barnett. Barnett’s defiant act directly challenges a U.S. Supreme Court ruling and sets the stage for a federal intervention.
September 18, 1947: The CIA is Born
#OTD20 — September 18, 1947: The Central Intelligence Agency comes into existence, authorized by National Security Act of 1947.
September 17, 1939: Soviet Union Invades Poland
#OTD20 — September 17, 1939: Forces from the Russian army invade Poland, coming on the heels of the German invasion just two weeks earlier. The offensive effectively splits Poland in two.
September 16, 1940: U.S. Introduces Military Draft
#OTD20 — September 16, 1940: A military draft is introduced, marking a critical step in America’s preparation for World War II.
September 15, 1963: Birmingham Church Bombing
#OTD20 — September 15, 1963: a bomb explodes at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama killing four young girls: Addie Mae Collins, Cynthia Wesley, Carole Robertson, and Denise McNair.
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