Guide to the John F. Kennedy Space Effort Speech at Rice University records, 1962-1964


Descriptive Summary
	Title:	John F. Kennedy Space Effort Speech at Rice University records
	Dates:	1962-1964
	Abstract:	This record group consists of printed material and film covering both John F. Kennedy's visit and speech on the Nation's Space Effort at Rice University on September 12, 1962 and his assassination in 1963.
	Identification:	Rice UA 109
	Identification:	UA 109
	Quantity:	1 linear feet (2 boxes)
	Language:	Materials are in English.
	Repository:	Rice University Archives, Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice University, Houston, TX

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.

Scope and Contents

This record group consists of printed material and film covering John F. Kennedy's visit and speech on the Nation's Space Effort at Rice University on September 12, 1962 and newsclippings regarding his assassination in 1963.

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

This material is open for research.

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.


Index Terms

	Subjects (Persons)
		Kennedy, John F. (John Fitzgerald), 1917-1963.
	Subjects
		Astronautics -- United States.
		Astronautics and state -- United States.
		Space flight.
		Space race.
	Formats
		Newsclippings.
		Speeches.
		Videotape.
		Audiotapes.
		Photographic film.

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.

Detailed Description of the Collection



Box 1
Box	Folder
1	-	Pamphlets & Magazines devoted to JFK, 1963-64
	-	Newsclippings regarding JFK at Rice, 1962
	-	2 copies (4 reels) audio tape of JFK's Speech at Rice, 1962



Box 2
Box	Folder
2	-	1 Film of JFK's Speech at Rice 1962 (Poor quality - not suitable for reproduction or publication. See note under "Related Materials" for additional ways to access this film.)
	-	1 videotape - copy of the film of JFK's speech
	-	2 Newspapers ( Houston Chronicle) with articles about JFK 1962-63