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John F. Kennedy Space Effort Speech at Rice University records

 Collection
Identifier: UA 0109
Finding aid note: Stored off-site at the Library Service Center. Please request this material via woodson@rice.edu or call 713-348-2586.

Scope and Contents

This record group consists of printed material and audio covering John F. Kennedy's visit and speech on the Nation's Space Effort at Rice University on September 12, 1962. Film of President Kennedy at Rice completely deteriorated and has been deaccessioned. See Related Materials below for alternative access to the video.

Dates

  • 1961 - 1962

Creator

Access Restrictions

This material is open for research.

Conditions Governing Access

Stored off-site at the Library Service Center. Please request this material via woodson@rice.edu or call 713-348-2586.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish from the John F. Kennedy Space Effort Speech at Rice University records must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University.

Historical Sketch

President John F. Kennedy visited Rice University campus on September 12, 1962, and delivered a speech in the stadium on the Nation's Space Effort. Kennedy cites scientific progress as evidence that exploration of space is inevitable and argues that the United States should lead the space effort in order to retain a position of leadership on earth. He stated that we explore space not because it is easy but because it is difficult, and that the U.S. should "do it right and do it first before this decade is out," inspiring and engaging the nation in the space race.

Although Kennedy was assassinated the following year, on November 22, 1963, his dream of winning the space race was fulfilled on July 20, 1969, when NASA's Apollo XI mission successfully landed the first men on the moon. As astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped off the Lunar Module, he proclaimed "That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind." His fellow astronaut Edwin Aldrin Jr. also walked on the moon's surface and the two men gathered 47 pounds of lunar surface material for research purposes.

Extent

2 Linear Feet (3 boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract:

This record group consists of printed material and audio covering both John F. Kennedy's visit and speech on the Nation's Space Effort at Rice University on September 12, 1962.

Acquisition Information

This material was collected by Fondren Library staff.

Related Material

Rice University offers a streaming video on-line of JFK's speech on Rice campus, 1962. It is available for viewing at http://webcast.rice.edu/webcast.php?action=details&event=371. This video was captured by Houston's KHOU-TV Channel 11. Anyone seeking a copy of this particular capture of the speech should contact KHOU-TV directly, as Rice does not have the rights to make it available beyond this streaming format.

The John F. Kennedy Library and Museum also has a video copy of the speech and can provide copies. Contact the Library for assistance: http://www.jfklibrary.org/. A written transcript and downloadable audio file of the speech is also available on their website, at http://www.jfklibrary.org/j091262.htm.

See also JFK Information file at Woodson Research Center for photographs of JFK on campus and other information.

Subjects

Record Groups

Related Names

Creator

Finding Aid & Administrative Information

Title
Guide to the John F. Kennedy Space Effort Speech at Rice University records, 1961-1962
Status
Completed
Author
Amanda Focke
Date
2006
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Repository Details

Repository Details

Part of the Woodson Research Center, Rice University, Houston, Texas Repository

https://library.rice.edu/woodson
Contact:
Fondren Library MS-44, Rice University
6100 Main St.
Houston Texas 77005 USA

Broaden your search:
Texas Archival Resources Online - statewide search of archival finding aids
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Scholarship.rice.edu - Rice University digital content

Harmful Content Statement
© 2023 Woodson Research Center
Fondren Library, Rice University
Physical Address: 6100 Main, Houston, Texas 77005-1827
Mailing Address: MS-44, P.O. Box 1892, Houston, Texas 77251-1892