June 1, 1980 – CBS Hourly News – Gordon Skene Sound Collection –
June 1, 1980 – since it was a Sunday it was a light news day, this first of June 37 years ago. Civil Rights leader and President of the Urban League, Vernon Jordan was reported in serious but stable condition, following a shooting outside a Marriott Motor Inn in Ft. Wayne Indiana. Jordan was reported to have been shot twice in the back as he was getting out of a car. Carter declared the shooting an assassination attempt and racially motivated and vowed an investigation into the murder attempt.
Meanwhile, Iran was hosting an International Conference starting the following day. It was designed to show the United States had systematically interfered in Iran’s affairs during the regime of the Shah. Some 100 non-governmental organizations were expected to be there from 50 countries, among them representatives of political parties and trade unions. It was, after all, the start of the 31st week of captivity for the 52 American hostages still being held in Tehran. President Carter was asked earlier in the day on the CBS News Program Face The Nation if the hostage situation was still considered a crisis, which he answered and emphatic yes.
Israel’s Prime Minister Menachem Begin managed to put off a crisis in his government which began the previous week when his moderate Defense Minister Esser Weizman resigned. But instead of going through with a cabinet shakeup, Begin decided to take over Weizman’s job himself temporarily. The issue at hand was the Palestinian question and it was becoming a sticking point between the U.S. and their allies. European leaders were considering taking the matter to the UN, but the U.S. retorted that any interference of the Peace Process as it stood, would face a strong veto.
And Jazz Musicians in London took to the streets to strike and protest the BBC’s move to disband five of their broadcast orchestras as a cost-cutting measure. The musicians protested by playing jazz outside the BBC’s headquarters. No rocks and bottles, just reeds and horns.
And that’s a little of what went on, this 1st day of June in 1980 as reported by CBS Radio’s Hourly News.