The Headlines of the Kennedy Years
We went to the archives to find headlines from old issues of our newspaper to see what stories were written during John F. Kennedy’s presidency. A few notable stories and opinions pieces are highlighted below:
Dec. 1, 1960
The article, written by Betty Troderman, expresses the sentiment that the military, economic and social policies of Kennedy will have far-reaching effects around the world. Troderman writes that Kennedy will be “significantly more than President of the United States,” particularly in the area of foreign policy. Troderman ends with, “the Kennedy administration will move carefully and quietly. We can only hope that it will as well move quickly and effectively.”
May 5, 1961
The writer of this piece, David Gilbert, notes that every weapon created has been “used to its full capacity for destruction.” The writer outlines the necessity and plausibility of nuclear disarmament and also recognizes that the resistance to disarmament has roots in political agendas. Gilbert urges students to push for disarmament and “follow the lead of the youth of England and work toward this necessary goal.”
Feb. 15, 1962
With the rise of the perceived communist threat in Cuba, Kennedy called for a conference of the Organization of American States, which saw Cuba’s ties with the Soviet Union as incompatible with the inter-American system. This opinions piece by William Falk urges the Kennedy administration to prevent war in Cuba by implementing “total economic and political expulsion from all inter-American affairs.”
May 22, 1962
The president and his wife invited the Brookline High School Orchestra to the White House for a concert on April 16, 1962 as part of the Greater Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra concert. The orchestra also played at Carnegie Hall on the tour.
Oct. 13, 1962
This piece, written by David Gilbert, says that the American preoccupation with containing Communism causes our government to overlook how our military and economic resources are being used by pro-Western governments; the United States has even backed dictators. Gilbert says that “our government has perverted the whole meaning of foreign aid and the whole meaning of American idealism.”
Oct. 24, 1963
The writer of the story describes the March on Washington as “the most impressive thing that I have ever seen.” Rev. Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream Speech” resonated with the reporter, who says in the final lines, “I know that my journey to the ‘Freedom Land’ will be a long, hard battle; but if God remains on our side, we will overcome some day and my children will not have to live in a sick society where people must discriminate against their brothers.”
Dec. 3, 1963
An editorial by Jeffrey Borenstein begins with the poignant introduction, “The handsome face is gone. A ‘Profile in Courage’ has passed on. John Fitzgerald Kennedy is no more.” Borenstein says it is important for the country to close its partisan divides in support of the new president, Lyndon B. Johnson. The rest of the issue also reports on the services at Kennedy’s Birthplace on Beals Street and a march of 2000 mourners, which led one spectator to note, “I’ve never seen anything like this. This is indeed a wonderful tribute to such a great man.”