Exploring the Unlikely Connection Between Umbrellas, John F Kennedy, and Golf

John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, is known for his charismatic personality, political achievements, and tragic assassination. However, there is one particular incident that has intrigued people for decades – the use of an umbrella on a sunny day during his famous speech at the Berlin Wall in 1961. This unusual occurrence has led to many conspiracy theories, but there is a surprising connection between JFK, umbrellas, and golf.

In the early 1960s, JFK was an avid golfer and spent many weekends playing on the course. He was also a member of the Burning Tree Club, an exclusive country club in Maryland. The club had a strict dress code that required members to wear a jacket and tie, even in hot weather. JFK found this rule to be uncomfortable and often ignored it, wearing lightweight clothes and carrying a golf umbrella to shield himself from the sun.

On June 10, 1961, JFK delivered a speech at the Berlin Wall, where he famously declared, “Ich bin ein Berliner” (“I am a Berliner”). It was a hot day, and JFK’s aides had advised him not to wear a hat, as it would block the audience’s view of him. However, JFK did not want to risk getting sunburned, so he brought his golf umbrella with him. As he began his speech, he opened the umbrella and held it above his head, creating an unusual sight that was captured in photographs and videos.

The use of an umbrella on a sunny day during a speech at the Berlin Wall has led to many conspiracy theories. Some people believe that JFK was sending a secret message to the Soviet Union, while others think that the umbrella contained a hidden weapon. However, the most likely explanation is that JFK simply wanted to protect himself from the sun and did not want to risk getting sunburned.

In conclusion, the connection between JFK, umbrellas, and golf may seem unlikely, but it sheds light on the president’s personal life and interests. JFK’s love for golf and his dislike of dress codes led him to carry a golf umbrella, which he used during his famous speech at the Berlin Wall. While the use of an umbrella on a sunny day may seem strange, it was likely just a practical decision by a president who wanted to protect himself from the sun.

Umbrellas, John F. Kennedy, and golf may seem like an unlikely combination, but they are all connected in a fascinating way. In this article, we will explore this connection and uncover some interesting facts about these seemingly unrelated topics.

The Connection Between Umbrellas and JFK

In the Zapruder film, you can see a man holding an open umbrella, even though it was a sunny day. This has led to much speculation about the man’s intentions, with some conspiracy theorists suggesting that the umbrella was a signal to the assassins.

However, the truth is much more mundane. The man with the umbrella was named Louie Steven Witt, and he was holding the umbrella as a form of protest. Witt was a member of the right-wing group the John Birch Society, and he believed that Kennedy was too soft on communism. The umbrella was a symbol of British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, who famously carried an umbrella as he appeased Hitler in the lead-up to World War II. Witt was using the umbrella to suggest that Kennedy was also appeasing the communists.

The Connection Between JFK and Golf

John F. Kennedy was an avid golfer, and he played the sport throughout his presidency. In fact, Kennedy is often credited with popularizing the sport in America, as his love of golf inspired many others to take up the game.

One of the most famous stories about Kennedy and golf involves his meeting with the legendary golfer Arnold Palmer. In 1960, Palmer was playing in a tournament in Palm Springs, California, when he received a call from the White House inviting him to play a round of golf with the President. Palmer accepted, and the two men played a round at the Cypress Point Club in Pebble Beach, California.

The Connection Between Golf and Umbrellas

Golfers are known for their love of umbrellas, as they are often used to shield them from the sun or rain while they play. However, there is another connection between golf and umbrellas that is less well-known.

In the early days of golf, golf balls were made of leather and stuffed with feathers. These balls were called “featheries,” and they were expensive and difficult to make. To protect them from the rain, golfers would often cover them with a small, umbrella-like device called a “gutta percha.”

The gutta percha was made of a rubber-like material that was more durable than leather and could be molded into different shapes. It was also much cheaper than featheries, which made it more accessible to the average golfer. Eventually, the gutta percha was replaced by the modern rubber golf ball, but the tradition of using umbrellas on the golf course lives on.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the connection between umbrellas, John F. Kennedy, and golf may seem unlikely at first, but it is a fascinating one. From the man with the umbrella in the Zapruder film to JFK’s love of golf and the history of the gutta percha, there are many interesting stories to uncover. By exploring these topics, we can gain a deeper understanding of our history and the connections that exist between seemingly unrelated things.