On this day in history, January 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy conducted the first live televised presidential news conference, five days after taking office. From a podium in the State Department auditorium, Kennedy read a prepared statement regarding the famine in the Congo, the release of two American aviators from Russian custody, and impending negotiations for an atomic test ban treaty. He then opened the floor for questions from reporters, answering queries on a variety of topics including relations with Cuba, voting rights, and food aid to impoverished Americans.
