Internet resources: John Kennedy’s Oval Office goes online

Virtual working place of the 35th U.S. President offers access to some previously unknown documents of his time.

Homepage of the website, launched by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum (Boston, USA) features the Oval Office of the White House from the side of the desk. Some of objects lying on it are highlighted: by clicking on them users can move to other pages, each having its own subject. A case in point, clicking the telephone pulls up a list of recorded conversations of Kennedy with the Administration staff, as well as former U.S. Presidents Truman and Eisenhower. Kennedy was the first president to record extensively his meetings and telephone conversations, which are now considered to be the national heritage.

A picture frame will deliver many photo albums of the large Kennedy’s family, a badge will bring users to leaflets, video materials and other election campaign resources, while a diary features a chronicle of JFK’s presidential term. Users have a chance to see the slides showing the military service of the 35th President during World War II as a torpedo boat commander.

The keenest interest is aroused by former declassified audio recordings related to “hot” issues which took place during John Kennedy’s presidency — the Vietnam War, Cuban Missile Crisis, nuclear arms testing, space exploration and the civil rights movement.