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The Story of Notre Dame


America - Europe

A Transatlantic Diary 1961 - 1989

Klaus Lanzinger


Notre Dame, May 5, 1964

The Results of the Indiana Primary

Governor Matthew Welsh won the Indiana primary for Lyndon B. Johnson, but nevertheless 30% of the Democratic votes went to George Wallace. The following reasons may explain Wallace’s high share of the votes: (1) The widespread uncertainty about the consequences of the Civil Rights Bill; (2) the latent fear among the white population that jobs could be lost by racial integration; (3) the apprehension that by desegregation in the area of education children could be forced to attend integrated schools.

On the Republican side Barry Goldwater won the majority of votes, followed by Harold E. Stassen. Nelson A. Rockefeller and Cabot Lodge did not run as candidates in the Indiana primary.

Notre Dame, May 7, 1964

Dedication of the Memorial Library

On today’s Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord the Memorial Library, the new main library of the University of Notre Dame, was dedicated. The dedication ceremony turned out to be an academic event of the first order. Cardinal Eugene Tisserant, the Dean of the College of Cardinals, celebrated the Pontifical Mass on the open Mall in front of the Library. He conveyed the blessing of the Holy Father. Present were also Albert Cardinal Meyer of Chicago and Joseph Cardinal Ritter of St. Louis besides many representatives of American colleges and universities. The President of Columbia University, Grayson Kirk, remarked in his address that the traditional university structure is in a fast process of change, and that the great days of the American universities still lie ahead. The construction of the 14-story high building has been completed in three years: Only a few days ago, the lawn of the Mall was laid out, and in addition the trees along either side were planted. The large mosaic with the figure of Christ the teacher in the center, which covers the entire wall of the building towards the south, has become the defining symbol of the Memorial Library.


Memorial Library, Notre Dame

The Theodore M. Hesburgh Library of the University of Notre Dame.
(Courtesy of the University of Notre Dame Photography)

The dedication ceremony of the Library took Place on May 7, 1964.


[In 1987 the Memorial Library was renamed Theodore M. Hesburgh Library. The Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C. (1917- ) was president of the University of Notre Dame from 1952-1987. Father Hesburgh was the driving force behind the construction of this great university library.]


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