JFK

John Fitzgerald Kennedy

John Fitzgerald Kennedy (May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), often called JFK and Jack, was the 35th president of the United States.

He was in office from January 20, 1961 until his assassination on November 22, 1963.

He was the youngest president elected to the office, at the age of 43. He was the youngest president of the United States to die in office.

Events during his presidency included the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the building of the Berlin Wall, the Space Race, the Civil Rights Movement, and early stages of the Vietnam War.

Early life

Kennedy was born at 83 Beals Street in the Coolidge Corner neighborhood in Brookline, Massachusetts on May 29, 1917. His family was Roman Catholic.

Kennedy graduated from Harvard University with a Bachelor's Degree in International Relations.

He was the second of nine children of Joseph P. Kennedy (1888–1969). His father was a businessman and later US ambassador in the United Kingdom from 1938 until 1940. His mother was Rose Fitzgerald (1890–1995).

He still saved his surviving crew, for which he was later rewarded with a medal for his bravery.

Before World War II began, he tried joining the U.S. Army, but was rejected because he had back problems; he instead joined the Navy. When his motor torpedo boat was sunk by a Japanese warship in 1943, he seriously injured his back.

He married Jacqueline Bouvier on September 12, 1953.

He was elected to the US Congress in 1946, and the US Senate in 1952.

The couple had four children; a stillborn daughter (b. 1956), Caroline (b. 1957), John (1960–1999) and Patrick, who was born prematurely in August 1963 and lived only for two days.

PRESIDENCY

Kennedy was a member of the United States Democratic Party. He beat his Republican Party opponent, Richard Nixon, in the 1960 presidential election.

Kennedy was the youngest president ever elected. He was also the first Roman Catholic President and the first president to win a Pulitzer Prize.

Kennedy was a very good speaker and inspired a new generation of young Americans.

What did he do during his presidency?

assassination

Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. He was being driven through the city in an open-top car, along with John Connally, the Governor of Texas. As the car drove into Dealey Plaza, shots were fired. Kennedy was shot once in the throat and once in the head. He was taken to Parkland Memorial Hospital 4 miles (6.4 km) away. At 1:00 p.m., Kennedy was pronounced dead.

Lee Harvey Oswald, a former U.S. Marine, was the prime suspect in the murder, and he was arrested on the same day for the murder of a policeman called J. D. Tippit. Oswald denied shooting anyone and was killed two days later on November 24 by Jack Ruby.

Kennedy had a state funeral on November 25, three days after his murder, near to the White House. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

legacy

After Kennedy died, Lyndon Johnson (his Vice President) took over and put many of Kennedy's ideas into law. Kennedy was a very popular president and still is today. He is considered one of the greatest presidents, ranking highly in public surveys and opinion polls.

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