the end of Camelot page 4

 the end of Camelot page 4 by ric gustafson

In the winter of 1961, the world was turbulent. The Cold War was raging. Fidel Castro had taken over Cuba. In the deep South, racial strife was growing. ' The Pill' was a new contraceptive device. Chubby Checker and Elvis Presley were on the radio.

Jackie made sure the world's problems did not intrude on her family. She was completely involved with 3 year old Caroline and baby John. She loved taking the children on a walk or a trip to the circus. She loved playing with the children on the South Lawn. She spent more time with the children than First Lady social functions.

President Kennedy was worried about Cuba. An island 1200 miles south of Washington DC. A battlefield there was taking shape. President Kennedy had authorized a covert invasion of the island nation. 1400 anti Castro exiles tried to overthrow the Cuban government. The stress of planning the attack gave Kennedy diarrhea and a urinary tract infection. The President later found out that the Cuban exiles were pinned down on a stretch of sand. This inlet was called the Bay of Pigs.

On April 12 1961, President Kennedy was surprised to hear that the Russians had stunned the world by launching the first man into space. President Kennedy had a meeting in the Cabinet Room with Secretary of State Dean Rusk.

In 1959, Fidel Castro led a guerrilla army into Havana and overthrew the government of General Fulgencio Batista. Already President Kennedy and Castro were on the verge of becoming rivals. Both men were charismatic, idealistic and did not like losing.

research help: ' Killing Kennedy' by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric