‘69 Flashback… - Democratic Underground

Gonzo Gardener

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Mon Jan-21-08 01:26 AM
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‘69 Flashback…

January 1969, that is.

I was born 39 years ago today so, I decided to take a brief look back to see what was going on in the world during the month and, more specifically, the day that I was born and found a few interesting items, coincidences, and even a few startling similarities to what is going on right now. So many years have passed, but some things remain the same…

Please, help me celebrate my birthday by posting your January 1969 or January 21, 1969 memories or cool trivial history facts here!

After 147 years in circulation, the last issue of The Saturday Evening Post was published as Australian media baron, Rupert Murdoch, took the first step to building his empire by purchasing what had been the most popular English language newspaper in the world, ‘The News of the World‘.

During the same month that The Beatles gave their last public performance, the newly formed band, Led Zeppelin, released their first album while on tour in the US.

39 years ago today the #1 Hit song was ‘Crimson and Clover’ by Tommy James & the Shondells, Elvis was in the American Studios in Memphis, Tenn. recording ’Rubberneckin’ and ‘Don’t Cry Daddy’. Jimi Hendrix played at Hall 16,Wacken,Strasbourg,France, the 672nd episode of ‘Dark Shadows’ aired, Saint Louis Cardinal, Stan Musial, and Brooklyn Dodger, Roy Campanella, were voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the BBWAA members.

Black Panthers held a press conference, January 21, 1969, to speak out after 2 Black Panthers were shot to death at a black students meeting at UCLA the Friday before. Panthers give names of 4 members of militant group involved in shooting.

Shermont Banks, center, deputy chairman, Black Panthers of Southern California, answers question at press conference. Michael Pennewell, seated left, is keeper of the law; Raymond Hewitt, right, is area captain. Man at left is unidentified.
~Photographer John Malmin

An experimental underground nuclear reactor at Lucens Vad, Switzerland, released radiation into a cavern, which was then sealed.

Headline: Russian Talks
Abstract: (Studio) State Department says Nixon administration to give priority to Russian request for talks on missile system reduction. Diplomatic correspondent Marvin Kalb says Nixon interested, but would take 3-4 mos. to begin.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

Headline: Hattiesburg Trial
Abstract: (Studio) Former Ku Klux Klan Imperial Wizard, Sam Bowers, Junior went on trial in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, for murder of Negro civil rights leader, Vernon Dahmer.

Headline: Mideast / Casualties
Abstract: (Studio) Israeli officials report casualties near Jordan River. Tel Aviv officials report casualties near Gaza Strip. Defense Min. Moshe Dayan expressed regret to Arab mayor.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

Headline: Vietnam / Amphibious Operation
Abstract: (Studio) Largest amphibious operation since Korean War in 2nd week; Batangan Peninsula communist stronghold.
REPORTER: Walter Cronkite

(Batangan Peninsula, South Vietnam) Mil. tightens cordon around peninsula full of booby traps. Viet Cong tunnels must be explored and destroyed. Soldiers look for mines; cross river in boats and pick up women and children to be sent to detention ctrs. for screening.
REPORTER: Richard Threlkeld

Enemy fires rockets at Vung Tau, South Vietnam, into American Army airfield and Navy pier complex; casualties reported.

Richard Nixon had moved into the White House and was enjoying his first day as president…

Inauguration of Nixon, Jan. 20, 1969

On January 21, 1969, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., President Nixon met in the Cabinet Room of the White House with the National Security Council. At this inaugural meeting, President Nixon asked Director of Central Intelligence Richard Helms to prepare for the second National Security Council Meeting “a good job on the situation in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, adding that he also wanted an overview from State and CIA on the views of 10 Foreign Relations, 1969–1976, Volume VI other Asian nations on the situation and stating that much of what we will do depends on the effect that these actions will have on the peoples of the area, not only on the leaders but on the people themselves.”

The Council then discussed events in East Asia, Nigeria, Peru, and procedural and administrative issues. Toward the end of the meeting, the President’s Assistant for National Security Affairs, Henry Kissinger, stated that the Council would address at the next meeting the situation in Vietnam and “alternative courses of action open to us.” At this point, the following discussion occurred: “. . . the President emphasized that while he did not believe in changing policy for change sake alone that he felt with respect to Vietnam that we must rethink all of our policy tracks by reviewing all past instructions and determining whether or not we are proceeding down the correct tracks. He stated we do not want the enemy to assume that we are locked on the same old tracks as the previous Administration, emphasizing that we will change if the situation dictates. “Secretary of State emphasized that the U.S. has not really made any commitments in this regard, pointing out that Ambassador Harriman informed him that we really had no policy with respect to negotiating objectives. “General Wheeler said that both Harriman and Vance had only been provided preliminary instructions to get the talks started in Paris but that they had not been provided any finite objectives from Washington. “The President stated, ‘I was very disturbed about this since it was obvious from the conduct of the negotiations.’ He stated that he had discussed the problem with Lodge and Walsh, emphasizing that he did not want any coercive action with respect to the South Vietnamese, pointing out that while they may be difficult to deal with they are our allies and this was the basis for the selection of Lodge and one of his principal missions is to rebuild South Vietnam’s confidence and trust in the U.S. “Dr. Kissinger stated that they had been operating in Paris with a laundry list of objectives which served as probing vehicles with the other side. “Secretary Rogers stated that this was the Administration’s effort to get something started before the election. “The President said he was very much aware of the domestic issues but that he would rather take the heat now and achieve a sound settlement subsequently. He emphasized that he does not want a lot of promising press pizazz which we may not be able to deliver on later. He told Lodge to avoid the type of over optimism which had characterized past press treatment. He stated that while it looks fairly rosy now, we may not be able to achieve acceptable agreements. Vietnam, January 1969–July 1970 11 “The President added that he instructed Lodge not to be quite so friendly with the North Vietnamese and assured him that if he made the President look a little tougher, that was just fine. “The President stated that we cannot panic by moving the wrong way. “Mr. Kissinger stated that the most difficult problem on Vietnam can be traced to fundamental disagreements on facts and that is why we are inventorying the facts to insure that we have them in hand before considering our basic objectives, referring to the questions on Vietnam which are to be developed interdepartmentally with a short deadline.” The discussion then turned again to procedural matters.
(Minutes of NSC Meeting, January 21; Library of Congress, Manuscript Division,
Kissinger Papers, Box TS–82, NSC, NSC Meetings, January–March