Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Seals
Artifact IDMO 63.3255
Object Type
Seal
Date
ca. 1963
Medium
Sealing wax; paper; metal; masonite, leather, wood
DimensionsOverall H 3 in x W 17 1/2 in x D 12 1/2 in (7.6 cm x 44.5 cm x 31.8 cm)
Physical DescriptionSeals and impressions (instruments of ratification) of some of the countries whose leaders signed the Limited Test Ban Treaty. There are 24 brass dies with matching wax impressions, and two masonite seals with matching paper impressions. All are affixed to a velvet mount in a black leather presentation case.
Historical NotePresident Kennedy considered the ratification of the Limited Nuclear Test Ban treaty one of his greatest accomplishments. The treaty, initially signed in Moscow on August 5, 1963 by U.S. Secretary of State Dean Rusk, Soviet Foreign Minister Andrei Gromyko, and British Foreign Secretary Lord Home, prohibited nuclear weapons tests or other nuclear explosions under water, in the atmosphere, and in outer space; allowed underground nuclear testing as long as no radioactive debris fell outside the boundaries of the nation conducting the test; and pledged its signatories to work toward complete disarmament, an end the armaments race, and an end the environemental contamination by radioactive substances.
Kennedy spent the next two months persuading U.S. citizens and the Senate to support it. After being approved by the Senate by an 80-19 margin, the treaty was ratified by Kennedy on October 7, 1963.
These Treaty Seals were presented to Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy in 1964 by the U.S. State Department. They represent 52 of the countries that subsequently signed the treaty.
Additional DetailsKennedy spent the next two months persuading U.S. citizens and the Senate to support it. After being approved by the Senate by an 80-19 margin, the treaty was ratified by Kennedy on October 7, 1963.
These Treaty Seals were presented to Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy in 1964 by the U.S. State Department. They represent 52 of the countries that subsequently signed the treaty.
Custodial History NoteThis item is material associated with the White House the Kennedy Administration and the Executive Offices of the President. It was either government property or 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 StatusUnrestrictedUse Restriction NoteReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.In Collection(s)
Not on view
Related Links
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty National Archives: "JFK Archives audio recording"
