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Birth of John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy—known in his family as Jack—is born in Brookline. -
Scarlet Fever
Young Jack contracts scarlet fever just before his third birthday and is hospitalized for two months. -
Navy Enlistment
On the eve of America's entry into World War II, JFK enlists in the Navy. -
Command of PT Boat
After an eight-week training course in Rhode Island, Kennedy is assigned to take command of a patrol boat stationed in the South Pacific. He sails west from San Francisco, but does not arrive at his final destination—the Solomon Islands—for another month and a half. -
Death of Brother Joe, Jr.
Joseph Kennedy, Jr., Jack's older brother, is killed while fighting in Europe. -
Addison's Disease
At the age of 30, John F. Kennedy is diagnosed with Addison's Disease -
Death of Sister Kathleen
Kennedy's sister, Kathleen, is killed in a plane crash. -
Bobby Kennedy Becomes Campaign Manager
Jack Kennedy's younger brother, Bobby, becomes his campaign manager in the 1952 Senate race. -
Election to US Senate
Largely due to Bobby Kennedy's effective strategic planning in the campaign, John F. Kennedy is elected to the United States Senate. -
Marriage to Jackie Kennedy
John F. Kennedy marries Jacqueline Bouvier, a beautiful young journalist from a wealthy New England family. -
Birth of Caroline Kennedy
Jack and Jackie's first child, Caroline Kennedy, is born in New York City. -
Kennedy Inaugural
JFK is sworn into the Presidency and delivers his inaugural address, a landmark speech in which he urges Americans to seek out opportunities to serve their country. -
Kennedy-Nixon TV Debate
John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon participate in the first-ever televised presidential debate.v -
Kennedy Defeats Nixon in 1960 Election
John F. Kennedy is elected the 35th President of the United States, defeating his Republican opponent, Richard Nixon, by a slim margin of only 118,000 votes nationwide. -
Birth of JFK, Jr.
Jack and Jackie's second child—and first son—is born. He is named John F. Kennedy, Jr., after his father. -
Peace Corps
John F. Kennedy establishes the Peace Corps by executive order. -
Mission to the Moon
Kennedy announces his goal of putting a man on the moon. -
Bay of Pigs
Less than three months into JFK's presidency, a group of CIA-trained Cuban exiles attempts to invade Cuba at the Bay of Pigs. The Cuban army quickly thwarts their efforts, and the Kennedy-approved fiasco becomes a major embarrassment for the new president. -
Civil Rights
In a televised address to the nation, Kennedy proposes the enactment of civil rights legislation, marking his first decisive action on civil rights. -
Death of Patrick Kennedy
Jack and Jackie's third child, Patrick, dies from a lung ailment only two days after his birth. -
JFK Assassination
Lee Harvey Oswald shoots and kills John F. Kennedy in Dallas, where the president is campaigning for re-election.
