It was raining in Forth Worth, Texas on November 22, 1963. Despite the drizzle, John F. Kennedy spoke to thousands outside the Texas Hotel without a hat. While many Texans may have felt otherwise, this wasn’t unusual. Groups like the Hat Corporation of America and the United Hatters, Cap and Millinery Workers International Union had been lobbying and plying the presiden with hats for years, but no hat remained his custom.
The city of Fort Worth had their own custom. Every president, and most dignitaries and celebrities, who visited Fort Worth was given a Shady Oak Western hat by the publisher of the Forth Worth Star Telegram. The honoree would then place the hat on their head, the photogs would get their “hey, we’re in Texas!” shot and everyone was mostly happy.
Didn’t happen with Kennedy. Watching the History Channel’s excellent JFK: 3 Shots That Changed America I finally saw footage of that uncomfortable moment and, while he was jovial about his–by this time–legendary aversion to headwear, there was no way you were getting him to put that hat on. Seems like a pretty harmless little thing, but Kennedy was resolute. Here’s a screenshot:
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