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EARLY LIFE
Born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts.
As a student at Harvard University, Jack traveled in Europe as his father’s secretary. His senior thesis about British’s unpreparedness for war was later published as an acclaimed book, “Why England Slept” (1940). -
BEGINNINGS IN POLITICS
Jack won his party’s nomination handily and carried the mostly working-class Eleventh District by nearly three to one over his Republican opponent in the general election. -
ROAD TO PRESIDENCY
Kennedy announced his candidacy for president on January 2, 1960. Kennedy won by a narrow margin–less than 120,000 out of some 70 million votes cast–becoming the youngest man and the first Roman Catholic to be elected president of the United States. -
Cold War
In the battle to win the ongoing Cold War against communism around the world. Kennedy’s famous closing words expressed the need for cooperation and sacrifice on the part of the American people: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” -
FOREIGN POLICY CHALLENGES
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LEADERSHIP AT HOME
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ASSASSINATION
Shortly after 12:30 p.m., as the motorcade was passing through downtown Dallas, shots rang out; Kennedy was struck twice, in the neck and head, and was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at a nearby hospital.
