Indiana Historical Society - Manuscripts & Archives
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Processed By:
Paul Brockman
31 October 1994
VOLUME OF COLLECTION: 1 cassette tape (2 copies), 1 bound volume
COLLECTION DATE: 4 April 1968
PROVENANCE: Michael Coons for Indiana Chapter of University of Virginia Alumni Association, 13921 Silver Stream Dr., Carmel, IN 46032, 24 October 1994
RESTRICTIONS: Permission to quote or reproduce materials from cassette tape must be obtained from Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana.
REPRODUCTION RIGHTS: Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained in writing from the Indiana Historical Society.
ALTERNATE FORMATS: None
RELATED HOLDINGS: OM 271, Indiana Students for Kennedy Records, 1968
ACCESSION NUMBER: 95.0006
U.S. Senator Robert F. Kennedy (1925-1968) spoke at Ball State University on 4 April 1968 during his presidential campaign tour of Indiana. Kennedy addressed a crowd of between 10,000-12,000 inside the University (Men's) Gymnasium. He and his wife, Ethel, were introduced by Muncie attorney Marshall Hanley, who had directed the local presidential campaign for Kennedy's brother, John, in 1960. Kennedy began his speech at 6:20 p.m. and concluded it at 6:54 p.m. At the time of his speech, Kennedy was unaware that the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. had been shot. He was told of the shooting as he was leaving the gym.
Source: Information in collection.
The collection consists of a cassette tape of Robert F. Kennedy's address to the Ball State University students on 4 April 1968. In his speech, Kennedy stressed the reasons why he was seeking the presidency including improvement of the standard of living for people in the United States and abroad. He stressed the need for those who have the resources to help those who were not as fortunate. Other points covered included the role of the youth in the development of the world and the creation of more jobs instead of relying on welfare. The tape also includes questions from the audience and concludes with a plea for campaign assistance from the audience. The cassette was made from the original recording which is located in the Archives and Special Collections Department of the Bracken Library at Ball State University.
The collection also contains a photo album/scrapbook documenting Kennedy's visit to Ball State including photographs with accompanying commentary and later newsclippings relating the visit. The photographs were taken by George T. Yeamans, who was a contemporary of Kennedy's at the University of Virginia and currently a resident of Muncie, Indiana.
FOLDER CONTENTS
1 (CT 702) Robert F. Kennedy Speech, 4 April 1968
2 Photo Album/Scrapbook of Kennedy Speech, 4 April 1968
MAIN ENTRY: Kennedy, Robert F., 1925-1968
SUBJECT ENTRIES: Kennedy, Robert F., 1925-1968
Yeamans, George T., (George Thomas), 1929-
Ball State University
Presidential candidates--United States
Campaign speeches, 1968--Democratic--Indiana
Presidents--United States--Election--1968
Speeches, addresses, etc., American--Indiana--Muncie
Muncie (Ind.)
END