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Dedicatory remarks for the John F. Kennedy Memorial at Runnymede, England
Dedicatory remarks for the John F. Kennedy Memorial at Runnymede, England

Dedicatory remarks for the John F. Kennedy Memorial at Runnymede, England

Object number1996.001.0001
Date05/14/1965
ClassificationsBooks
ObjectBook
Credit LineEstate of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza
MediumPaper; Cardboard; Leather
DimensionsOverall: 10 3/4 x 8 in. (27.3 x 20.3 cm)
DescriptionDedicatory remarks for the John F. Kennedy Memorial at Runnymede, England. The memorial was designed and carved by sculptor Alan Collins. This limited edition book is one of one hundred copies printed for Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy. It contains the addresses of the principal speakers at the dedication of the memorial: Queen Elizabeth II of England, former Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, Prime Minister Harold Wilson, and U.S. Secretary of State Dean Rusk. The ceremony was followed by a reception for the Kennedy family at Windsor Castle.
Curatorial Commentary

In Memory of John F. Kennedy, Great Britain gave to the United States an acre of English ground at Runnymede along the river Thames in Surrey, close to where the Magna Carta was signed in 1215. It is the only time the English have ever given a piece of their homeland to another nation, although the land remains under the sovereignty of the United Kingdom.

A portion of the ceremony can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7WLHllUUZo  - Stephanie Allen-Givens, Collections and Exhibits Manager

Runnymede, a meadow along the River Thames and twenty miles west of London, was the site selected for the official British memorial for President Kennedy. It was dedicated jointly by Queen Elizabeth II and the president's widow, Jacqueline Kennedy, on May 14, 1965. Also in attendance was British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan and several members of the Kennedy family. The memorial itself consists of a garden and a 10 foot by 5 foot stone memorial tablet on a granite base bearing a quote from the president's inaugural address. The inscription also states: "This acre of English ground was given to the United States of America by the people of Britain in memory of John F. Kennedy, born 29 May 1917, President of the United States, 1961-63, died by an assassin's hand, 22 November 1963." -- Stephen Fagin, Curator