The Kennedys at Camp David
This photo was taken on March 31st, 1963. It shows the whole Kennedy clan happily spending some time together at Camp David. Caroline is on top of the horse, while little John holds his mother’s hand....
President Kennedy’s Gravesite Under Construction in 1965
This is a fascinating old photo from October 6th, 1965 at Arlington National Cemetery. The construction site shows what would eventually become JFK’s gravesite, the Eternal Flame. Source: Library of Congress
JFK Opposed Widening Chain Bridge Road
Sometimes we forget that famous people are also regular people with problems other than running a country. JFK was a young senator from Massachusetts when he lived off of Chain Bridge Road in McLean. He and...
The Greatest Commencement Addresses in Washington, DC, Ever
It’s that time of year, again. Commencement speakers address graduating college and university classes, and inevitably their speeches are ranked, assessed, complimented, and criticized. This year, both NPR and Vox.com have compiled the best commencement speeches ever....
Neo-Nazis Picket White House; Urge Kennedy to Invade Cuba
This is a shocking old photo from 1962. These neo-Nazis are protesting in front of the White House during the Cuban Missile Crisis (October 14th to 28th, 1962), pushing for President Kennedy to invade Cuba. Source:...
Photo of Boyish Kennedy and Nixon
Whoa, this is cool. If you haven’t seen this before, it’s a photo from 1947 when both Kennedy and Nixon were member of the House of Representatives. Kennedy looks like he’s 18 and Nixon about 23.
Bugler Plays Taps at Kennedy’s Funeral
Exactly 50 years ago today, JFK was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Below is footage of the gun salute and the bugler playing taps.
Kennedy Throws Out First Pitch at 1962 All-Star Game
Check out this great photo from the 1962 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. It was held at the new D.C. Stadium (now RFK).
Kennedy and the National Symphony Orchestra
Before the Kennedy Center opening, the National Symphony Orchestra would perform at D.A.R. Constitution Hall. Below is an advertisement from The Washington Post, printed on November 22nd, 1963 with a quote from President Kennedy.
German Chancellor State Visit to White House on November 25th, 1963
On Friday, 50 years ago, The Washington Post printed this article detailing the upcoming state visit of West Germany’s Chancellor, Ludwig Erhard. Washingtonians were reading this in the morning newspaper, the same day Kennedy was in Dallas....
11/22/63: Foreshadowing Prayer Printed in Morning Washington Post
In scanning The Washington Post for November 22nd, 1963, I came across this small prayer, printed that day in section D8. It was a small block at the top right of the page and I nearly missed...
Jackie Kennedy’s Country Estate in Middleburg
The old Kennedy estate, Wexford, is for sale and you can have it for a cool $11 million. We came across this cool story on one of our favorite blogs, Curbed. Naturally, in Ghosts of DC...
Three Georgetown Homes of Notable Senators
As Mrs. Ghost went Christmas shopping this past weekend, I decided to go for a walk to explore the streets of Georgetown. The part of town most tourists think of when Washington history is mentioned, Georgetown...
Letter From Kennedy Nominating His Cabinet
Wow. This one is cool. We found this digging through the National Archives. Amazing. This is the letter John F. Kennedy sent on Inauguration Day 1961 (watch his amazing inauguration address), nominating his Cabinet.
Archival Footage of Kennedy in Oval Office
This is great old film footage of John F Kennedy in the Oval Office. The narration is in German (I believe – correct me if I’m wrong).
Official Somali State Visit to the Kennedy White House (1962)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fkMvXlvrsuY On November 27th, 1962, 361 days before Kennedy’s assassination in Dallas, the Prime Minister of the Somali Republic, Dr. Abdirashid Ali Shermarke, had an official state visit to the White House. We were able to...
November 20th, 1963: JFK to Make Fives Speeches and Attend Two Receptions in Texas
If you read this piece in the Washington Post on Wednesday morning, November 20th, 1963, you probably didn’t think much of it. President Kennedy was making a trip to Texas, the Vice President’s home state. The...
From a GoDCer: Miller-Built Homes in Spring Valley
I received the following email the other day from a GoDCers up near AU Park and Spring Valley. Hello, I love your website. Thank you for researching DC history! I grew up in AU Park —...
