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Birth
John F. Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was the first president born in the 1900s.
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JFK Life
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Black Thursday
This began the big stock market crash of 1929 that helped contribute to the creation of the Great Depression. This was the worst economic downturn in US history. It lasted until 1939.
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1932 Presidential Election
Franklin D. Roosevelt wins the election. JFK's father, Joe Kennedy, was a huge supporter of Roosevelt. He made large donations and helped raise funds for his campaign. Joe late wrote a book titled "I'm for Roosevelt" and fully supported the New Deal policies. Roosevelt would appoint Joe to the post of ambassador to the United Kingdom.(JFK Library n.d.) -
JFK Graduates from Harvard
JFK graduated cum laude from Harvard University with a Bachelor of Arts in government.
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Joins the Navy
JFK joins the navy after being medically disqualified from joining the army. He moved up the ranks and earned a few metals for his service.
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USS PT 109 Incident
Kennedy commanded a Patrol Torpedo Craft in the South Pacific. It was struck by a Japanese destroyer and cut in two. Kennedy led 10 men to a small island 3 miles away. He received the Medal for Valor and a Purple Heart for the incident. Kennedy was recognized as a national hero and traveled the country on a speaking tour.
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JFK Elected to Congress
This begun Kennedy's political ascent. He served 3 terms in the House of Representatives. After his run in the house, he won a Senate seat, where he served for 2 terms.
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Inauguration
JFK is inaugurated as the 35th president of the United States. In the midst of the Cold War, over one million people showed up to nation's capital to hear the inaugural address, which included the famous line, "ask not what your country can do for you."
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President Kennedy Establishes the Peace Corps
The Peace Corps was established by executive order. Sargent Shriver would head the new agency. Americans lined up to volunteer to assist in developing foreign nations.
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Bay of Pigs
1,400 American-trained Cubans would attempt to invade Cuba and overthrow Fidel Castro. It was a complete failure as they were greatly outnumbered and surrendered in less the 24 hours. Kennedy would not provide further support for the fear of creating another world war.
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Kennedy Sends Special Forces to Vietnam
Kennedy sends 400 special forces troops to Vietnam. He also sends 100 military advisors and helicopters. The troops, along with the CIA, would train South Vietnamese soldiers to interrupt communist bases and supply routes.
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Man on the Moon Plan
JFK addressed Congress to land a man on the moon before the end of the decade. Russia had surpassed America in space exploration. The space race was an important factor in the Cold War.
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Bailey v. Patterson
Segregation in transportation is ruled unconstitutional by the US Supreme Court. The Freedom Riders of 1961 contributed to movement on buses. This ruling was for all methods of transportation.
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Integration of Ole Miss
James Meredith was an African American student who applied for and was accepted at the University of Mississippi. The university was an all-white school. When they found out his race, they rejected his enrollment. Meredith sued for discrimination, citing the Brown v. Board of Education decision from 1954. It eventually landed in the US Supreme Court and they sided with Meredith. Kennedy had to send military police and the National Guard to help keep the peace.
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Cuban Missile Crisis
This confrontation lasted 13 days between the Soviet Union and the United States. The Soviets had placed missiles in Cuba, just 90 miles from the US border. JFK addressed the nation and informed them of the situation and that he was prepared to use military force if necessary. Ultimately, the missiles were removed on the condition that the US would not invade Cuba.
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Equal Pay Act of 1963
Kennedy signed the bill into law on this date.This was the first step into closing the pay gap between men and women in the country. Women were still discriminated against in the workplace and took a backseat in the Civil Rights Movement.
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Civil Rights Address
Kennedy addressed the nation on the importance of civil rights on this date. He called on Americans to realize that civil rights was a moral cause and there should be equal access to public places, including schools. Voting rights for African Americans was also an important issue in this address.
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Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
There was a nuclear arms race between USA and the Soviet Union. This treaty was meant to slow the race and protect the environment from radiation from testing nuclear weapons. It was originally signed by the United States, Soviet Union, and the United Kingdom. It banned nuclear testing in the air, ground, or underwater.
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March on Washington
250,000 people gathered in Washington D.C. in front of the Lincoln Memorial to bring attention to the inequalities faced by African Americans. This was the location of Martin Luther King Jr's famous "I Have a Dream Speech."
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Assassination
Lee Harvey Oswald shot and killed Kennedy while he was riding in a motorcade in Dallas, TX. Jack Ruby shoots Oswald 2 days later. Lyndon B. Johnson is sworn in as president.
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