July 24, 1962
News conference aired to Europe by Telstar
New York (UPI) — President Kennedy’s news conference in Washington was televised to millions of European viewers via the Telstar communications satellite yesterday.
The Presidential press conference was preceded by a flickering picture of the Statue of Liberty, the first image relayed to Europe by Telstar on the program, which was introduced by commentator Walter Cronkite. Television authorities in Europe reported that Kennedy’s image was clear and sound and of first class transatlantic radio quality.
A portion of the conference was beamed to European evening television viewers via the Telstar satellite at the beginning of a brief North American program. Europe was to follow up with its spectacular at about 3 p.m. PDT, showing treasures of continental art and architecture and travelogue scenes.
The American show, entitled “America, July 23, 1962,” included in its schedule the Mormon Choir from Salt Lake City singing at Mount Rushmore, an excerpt from the Shakespeare festival at Stratford, Ont., Niagara Falls, and various other natural wonders. It was seen by millions of Europeans from England’s Land’s End to Belgrade, and by additional millions of Americans who were able to watch on the three major U.S. television networks.
This continues the Appeal’s review of news stories and headlines during its Sesquicentennial year.
