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Birthday
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was the second of nine children. His parents were Joseph and Rose Kennedy. -
Joined the Navy
While he was in the Navy he was given command of a Patrol-Torpedo boat in the South Pacific. While in command, his boat was hit by a Japanese destroyer in the Solomon Islands. He then helped some of his injured crew back to safety and was later awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism. -
Beginnings in Politics
In January of 1947 he entered the 80th Congress. He received some criticism for his young appearance and his relaxed style.
In 1948 and 1950 he won reelection to the House of Representatives.
In 1952 he was elected into the Senate. -
Married Jackie
He married Jaqueline Lee Bouvier on September 12, 1953. She was a socialite and journalist that had a privileged upbringing. They were married in St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Newport. -
Became President
On January 2, 1960 he announced his candidacy for president. Even though he faced tough competition, he won the November election. He became the youngest man and first Roman Catholic U.S. President. -
Inaugural Address
On January 20, 1961 he gave his inaugural address. He said these famous words in his address “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” -
Created the Peace Corps and the Alliance for Progress
The Peace Corps sends young volunteers all over the world to underdeveloped countries. He created the Alliance for Progress to improve the economic ties with Latin America and to help stop the spread of communism. -
Sent a Civil Rights Bill to Congress
As one of the last bills of his life, in 1963, he sent a civil rights bill to congress. This bill eventually passed in 1964 as the Civil Rights Act. -
Foreign Affairs Victory
His greatest victory was when Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev agreed along with Britain’s Prime Minister Harold Macmillan to sign a nuclear test ban treaty. this banned the testing of nuclear weapons. -
JFK’s Assassination
On November 22, 1963 JFK was riding in a motorcade in a convertible through Dallas with his wife to the his next speaking event. While riding he was shot twice: once in the neck and once in the head. He died shortly after at the Parkland Memorial Hospital at the age of 46. He was shot by a former marine, Lee Harvey Oswald who was said to have communist sympathies.
