Click on the link here for Audio Player – ABC-Radio News – Sec. of State Dean Rusk – Press Conference – WABC News – February 7, 1964 – Gordon Skene Sound Collection
Depending on your age at the time, the big concern for this February 7th in 1964 was either the number of potential hotspots which could flare into the next grave international incident or when the Beatles were actually going to land in New York for their first appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Earlier in the day, Secretary of State Dean Rusk appeared before the Press to answer questions regarding an incident involving a fleet of Cuban fishing vessels and their seizure by the U.S. in what was sure to bring about another face-off between East and West.
But then, there was also the growing concern about developments in Southeast Asia, and Vietnam in particular, and whether or not this was going to become another shooting war the U.S. would get embroiled in. And there was always Eastern Europe to worry about – and the ever-present Cold War between Moscow and Washington.
It was a lot to juggle, and it was a lot to be worried about.
But if you were of a certain other age; a younger one, the events of the world were remote and detached and what was really important on that day was the event about to take place at JFK International Airport in New York. Today was going to be a historic day of epic proportions and it would be embedded in your brain for the rest of your life.
So here is that press conference with Secretary Of State Dean Rusk, from February 7, 1964, followed by news and a cutaway to WABC in New York to stay tuned for events unfolding at JFK.
It was one of those kinds of days.
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