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If Today Was 1964 And You Lived In New York You'd Either Be Waiting For The World's Fair To Open Or Getting Arrested.

News of the day from the New York area on April 21, 1964. Last minute preparations for the opening of the World's Fair, Civil Rights demonstrations, World's Fair Stall-In, Congress of Racial Equality and a subway fire between Times Square and Grand Central Station complicates commuting.

"Come See The Fair" . . . .sort of.

C.O.R.E. (Congress Of Racial Equality) had scheduled a mass Stall-In for opening Day of The New York World's Fair. Civil Rights demonstrations were going on seemingly everywhere, especially at schools. Mayor Wagner was issuing stern warnings to demonstrators who showed up to ruin the event, pointing out there were three detention centers set up to house over 3,000 arrests. Various Civil Rights leaders in the New York area, although not necessarily condoning the demonstrations weren't condemning them either. Meanwhile, last minute preparations were underway at the site of the World's Fair with some of the exhibits not quite on schedule to open in the morning. There was a subway fire between Times Square and Grand Central Station that reeked havoc with commuters with fears that 42nd Street was in danger of sinking due to fire damage to supports. Oh, and it was going down to 40 with rain predicted and a high on Opening Day in the low 50's.

Okay, you can come back to 2011 now.

And don't forget to drop off the odd penny, nickel or dollar on your way out.
[gordon-donate]

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