On January 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy became the first
U.S. president to hold a live televised news conference.

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.

President John F. Kennedy introduced a new era of White
House communications when he hosted the first live
televised presidential press conference on this day in
history, Jan. 25, 1961.