Video: 'NASA's First Trained Astronaut in Space'

(Tuesday, January 31, 1961, 11:55 a.m. EST) — A 37-pound male chimpanzee nicknamed “Ham” was rocketed into space today from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard Mercury-Redstone 2 in a test of the Project Mercury capsule that is scheduled to carry a human astronaut into orbit.
Continue reading NASA launches rocket carrying Ham the Chimp into space 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 31 1961) →

Video: 'President John F. Kennedy's First Televised News Conference of January 25, 1961'

(Wednesday, January 25, 1961, 6:00 p.m. EST) — Five days after being inaugurated as the 35th president of the United States, John F. Kennedy held the first ever live presidential news conference tonight at the State Department Auditorium in Washington, D.C.
Continue reading JFK becomes first U.S. president to hold a live televised news conference 60 years ago this hour (Jan 25 1961) →

Video: 'NBC NEWS INAUGURATION 1961 (1-20-1961)'

(Friday, January 20, 1961, 12:51 p.m. EST) — Calling for “a grand and global alliance” to combat tyranny, poverty, disease and war, former Massachusetts U.S. Senator John F. Kennedy, 43, was inaugurated today as the 35th President of the United States on the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., with Chief Justice Earl Warren administering the oath of office.
Continue reading JFK sworn in as 35th President of the United States, LBJ as 37th VP 60 years ago this hour (Jan 20 1961) →

Video: 'Eisenhower Farewell Address (Best Quality) - 'Military Industrial Complex' WARNING'

(Tuesday, January 27, 1961, 8:30 p.m. EST) — U.S. President Dwight Eisenhower cautioned the nation in a farewell address from the White House tonight to be vigilant against dangers to its liberties implicit in a vast military establishment and a permanent armaments industry unparalleled in peacetime.
Continue reading President Eisenhower warns nation of corrupting ‘military-industrial complex’ influence in farewell address 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 17 1961) →

Video: 'January 9, 1961 - President-Elect John F. Kennedy addresses the Massachusetts State Legislature'

(Monday, January 9, 1961; nearly nine weeks after the 1960 United States presidential election) — 11 days before his inauguration, President-elect John F. Kennedy delivered his “City Upon a Hill” speech, telling Massachusetts legislators today in Boston that he hoped his administration would be judged finally on its qualities of courage, judgment, integrity and dedication. Continue reading President-elect Kennedy pledges rule of integrity in ‘City Upon a Hill’ speech 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 9 1961) →