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Image courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA.
Image courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA.
University of Notre Dame Laetare Medal
Image courtesy of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA.

University of Notre Dame Laetare Medal

Artifact IDMO 63.1990.1
Object Type Medal
Date 1961
Date PresentedNovember 22, 1961
Gifter
Place of GiftWashington D.C., United States
Medium Gold, velvet, glass, wood
DimensionsOverall Diam 1 3/4 in (4.4 cm)
Physical DescriptionGold medal suspended from a gold bar inscribed LAETARE MEDAL. The medal bears the Presidential seal at center and Latin inscription "MAGNA EST VERITAS ET PRAEVALEBIT", meaning truth is great and will prevail. Recto engraved: "Presented by the University of Notre Dame John Fitzgerald Kennedy 1961". The metal is mounted on blue velvet and encased in a glass dome. President Kennedy was the 79th recipient, and the accompanying citation salutes him for "the charity, the calm determination and imaginative courage of statesmanship in this age of prolonged and ever-increasing danger."
Historical NoteMedal and citation were personally presented to President Kennedy by Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh on November 22, 1961 at the White House. The medal remained in Kennedy's personal collection. The Laetare Medal has been presented annually since 1883 to outstanding Catholic statesmen, artists, soldiers, industrialists, diplomats, philanthropists, educators and scientists.
President Kennedy kept this medal on a bookshelf in the Oval Office of the White House.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteItem was a gift from a member of the general public to the President and Mrs. Kennedy received by the Executive Office of the President betwen 1961-1963 and held by the General Service Administration until it was donated to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum by the Estate of President John F. Kennedy in 1965.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; Gift of the Estate of President John F. Kennedy
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesKennedy Administration Collection 1960-1963 (National Archives Identifier 1676959)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - PossiblyUse Restriction NoteCopyright and other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of these materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
In Collection(s)
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