John Fitzgerald Kennedy, often referred to as JFK, was the 35th president of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. He remains one of the most iconic and charismatic figures in American political history.
Early Life and Career
- Born May 29, 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts.
- Graduated from Harvard University in 1940.
- Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II, earning the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism.
- Entered politics in 1947 as a U.S. Representative, then became a Senator from Massachusetts in 1953.
- Presidency Highlights
- Elected president in 1960 at age 43, the youngest elected president in U.S. history.
- Faced major Cold War crises, including:
- Bay of Pigs Invasion (1961)
- Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), where his leadership helped avert nuclear war.
- Advocated for civil rights, though progress was slow and often reactive.
- Established the Peace Corps and promoted the Space Race, famously pledging to land a man on the Moon.
- Legacy and Impact
- His presidency is remembered for its style, optimism, and youthfulness.
- He helped reshape American politics through television and media presence.
- Assassinated on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, a national trauma that deeply affected the country.
- Buried at Arlington National Cemetery, his grave marked by the Eternal Flame.
- JFK’s legacy is a blend of unfinished promise, bold vision, and tragic loss.
Lesson Learning 