John F. Kennedy Life

John F. Kennedy

        One of our great presidents once said, “Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” This president was John F. Kennedy.

        John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts on May 29, 1917. His father was Joseph Patrick Kennedy Sr. and his mother was Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald-Kennedy. His father was a politician and his mother was the daughter of the mayor of Boston. All of John F. Kennedy’s grandparents were Irish immigrants. He had three brothers, Joseph Patrick Kennedy Jr, Robert Francis Kennedy, and Edward Moore Kennedy. He also had five sisters, Rose Marie Kennedy, Kathleen Agnes Kennedy, Eunice Mary Kennedy, Patricia Helen Kennedy, and Jean Ann Kennedy.

        Kennedy graduated from Harvard University in 1940 and joined the Marines shortly after. He soon became a democratic congressman and advanced to senate in 1953. He married Jacqueline Bouvier on September 21, 1953. In 1956 he almost gained a democratic nomination for vice president. Kennedy ran for president in the next election of 1960 and faced Richard Nixon in the election. He won the election and became not only the first Roman Catholic president but also the second youngest at the age of 43. He had three children, Caroline Kennedy, John F. Kennedy Jr., and Patrick Kennedy.

        John F. Kennedy delivered his legendary inaugural address on January 20, 1961. Kennedy wanted to inspire Americans to have more citizenship. He created the Peace Corps and the alliance for progress to foster economic ties with Latin America in 1961. He also sent a bill to congress to reform civil rights for African Americans, which passed in 1954. On November 21, 1963 Kennedy flew to Dallas, Texas for a campaign appearance. He was assassinated while sitting next to his wife and the governor of Texas. Kennedy was shot twice and died at Parkland Memorial Hospital. With his death at the young age of 46, his death was considered a national tragedy.