May 19, 1962: The Democratic Party holds a fundraiser at the old Madison Square Garden in New York City.
Marilyn Monroe appeared, in a very glittery, very tight, low-cut gown, designed by noted costume designer Bob Mackie, and sang "Happy Birthday" to President John F. Kennedy -- though his actual birthday was 10 days later. (He was turning 45.)
The President then took the stage, saying, "I can now retire from politics after having had 'Happy Birthday' sung to me in such a sweet, wholesome way." That got a big laugh.
During his speech, Kennedy addresses the need for Medicare, the name for the plan to reduce health care costs for retired Americans. It does little good: Medicare doesn't pass Congress until 1965, and is signed into law by his successor as President, Lyndon Johnson.
After the show, a photograph was taken with the two of them and JFK's brother, Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. Rumors of her having an affair with JFK have circulated ever since. Rumors of her also having an affair with RFK are ridiculous, and are usually only spread by people with an axe to grind against the Kennedys.
"My eyes are up here, Jack."
She made this trip to New York during a break from filming Something's Got to Give, but she got sick. The studio dropped hints to the media that she was faking it. The film was running behind, and Fox was already having similar problems with Cleopatra. While Marilyn and that film's star, Elizabeth Taylor, didn't know each other well, Liz sent Marilyn a letter of support, and Marilyn sent Liz a very grateful return letter.
But on June 7, Fox fired Marilyn from the film, and it was finally released in 1964 as Move Over, Darling, with Doris Day. Marilyn died on August 4, from an overdose of barbiturates, only 36 years old.
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May 19, 1962 was a Saturday. These baseball games were played:
* The New York Yankees beat the Minnesota Twins, 2-1 at Yankee Stadium. Ralph Terry went the distance for the win. Mickey Mantle was injured, and did not play. Yogi Berra went 1-for-4. Roger Maris went 0-for-4. The Twins' only run came on a solo home run by Harmon Killebrew.
* The New York Mets beat the Milwaukee Braves, 6-5 at Milwaukee County Stadium. Frank Thomas (the Big Donkey, not the later Big Hurt) hit a home run for the Mets. Hank Aaron went 2-for-4.
* The Los Angeles Angels beat the Boston Red Sox, 6-5 at Fenway Park in Boston. Buck Rodgers singled home the winning run in the top of the 10th inning. Carl Yastrzemski went 1-for-4.
* The Philadelphia Phillies beat the Chicago Cubs, 7-5 at Connie Mack Stadium in Philadelphia. Ernie Banks went 1-for-5.
* The Kansas City Athletics beat the Washington Senators, 8-4 at District of Columbia Stadium (later Robert F. Kennedy Stadium) in Washington.
* The Detroit Tigers beat the Cleveland Indians, 9-3 at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. Al Kaline went 0-for-3 with a walk.
* The Baltimore Orioles beat the Chicago White Sox, 11-6 at Comiskey Park in Chicago. Brooks Robinson went 3-for-4 with a walk.
* The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 8-1 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Ray Sadecki outpitched Don Drysdale. Stan Musial went 1-for-5.
* And the San Francisco Giants beat the Houston Astros, 10-2 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. Willie Mays, Orlando Cepeda and Ed Bailey hit home runs.
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