John F. Kennedy

Who Was John F. Kennedy?

John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, served in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate before ascending to the presidency in 1961. During his time in the White House, Kennedy confronted significant foreign challenges, particularly in Cuba and Berlin, yet achieved notable successes, including the Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty and the establishment of the Alliance for Progress. On November 22, 1963, Kennedy was tragically assassinated while traveling in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. He was just 46 years old.

Early Life

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts, into two of Boston’s most influential Irish Catholic families. His paternal grandfather, P.J. Kennedy, was a prosperous banker and liquor trader, while his maternal grandfather, John E. Fitzgerald, known as “Honey Fitz,” was a prominent politician who served as a congressman and mayor of Boston. His mother, Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald, was a debutante, and his father, Joseph Kennedy Sr., built a fortune as a banker and stock market investor following World War I. Joe Kennedy Sr. would later serve as the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission and as the U.S. ambassador to Great Britain.

Kennedy, affectionately known as “Jack,” was the second-oldest of nine siblings, many of whom went on to achieve great success. His siblings included Eunice Kennedy Shriver, the founder of the Special Olympics, Robert F. Kennedy, the U.S. Attorney General, and Ted Kennedy, one of the most influential senators in American history. The Kennedy children maintained a close and supportive bond throughout their lives.

Despite their prominent status in Boston society, Joseph and Rose Kennedy focused on their children’s education, largely distancing themselves from the social circles into which they were born. Joe Kennedy Sr., in particular, took a hands-on approach to his children’s upbringing, demonstrating an intense interest in their activities—a rarity for fathers of that time. A family friend remarked, “Most fathers in those days simply weren’t that interested in what their children did. But Joe Kennedy knew what his kids were up to all the time.”

Joe Sr. set high expectations for his children, instilling in them a drive for excellence and a belief that winning was paramount. The Kennedy children participated in various competitions, including swimming and sailing, with their father insisting that only first-place finishes were acceptable. As Eunice Kennedy Shriver later recalled, “I was 24 before I knew I didn’t have to win something every day.” John, too, internalized this competitive spirit, with his sister noting, “He hates to lose at anything. That’s the only thing Jack gets really emotional about—when he loses.”

Education

Despite his father’s constant admonitions, John F. Kennedy was a lackluster student and a mischievous boy during his early years. He attended Canterbury, a Catholic boys’ boarding school in Connecticut, where he excelled in subjects he enjoyed, such as English and history, but struggled with Latin, a subject he had little interest in. His academic performance was inconsistent, and although he was certainly intelligent, Kennedy’s focus often drifted toward sports, practical jokes, and social activities rather than coursework.

His father, Joseph Kennedy, wrote to him in an attempt to encourage his academic development, stating, “If I didn’t really feel you had the goods, I would be most charitable in my attitude toward your failings… I am not expecting too much, and I will not be disappointed if you don’t turn out to be a real genius, but I think you can be a really worthwhile citizen with good judgment and understanding.” While Kennedy was often more inclined to read books outside the curriculum, his academic career at this point remained average at best.

Kennedy also suffered from frequent illnesses during his childhood and adolescence, enduring various diseases that kept him out of school for extended periods, sometimes bringing him to the brink of death. After graduating from Choate, a prestigious Connecticut preparatory school, he briefly attended Princeton University before transferring to Harvard University in 1936. At Harvard, Kennedy’s academic pattern persisted—he occasionally excelled in subjects he enjoyed but remained an average student overall. Despite this, his charm, popularity, and engaging personality made him well-liked among his peers.

In 1939, during his father’s tenure as ambassador to Great Britain, Kennedy became more serious about his studies. He wrote a senior thesis on Britain’s lack of preparedness for World War II, which was so well-received that it was later published as the book Why England Slept, selling over 80,000 copies. His father’s pride was evident when he cabled Kennedy after the book’s success: “Two things I always knew about you: one, that you are smart; two, that you are a swell guy. Love, Dad.”

U.S. Navy Service

After graduating from Harvard in 1940, Kennedy joined the U.S. Navy and was assigned to command a patrol torpedo boat in the South Pacific. On August 2, 1943, Kennedy’s boat, PT-109, was struck by a Japanese warship and split in two. Two of his crewmen were killed, and Kennedy himself suffered a severe back injury. Despite his injuries, Kennedy displayed extraordinary courage, swimming several miles to reach a nearby island while towing a wounded sailor by the strap of his life vest. The group was rescued six days later. Kennedy’s heroism earned him the Navy and Marine Corps Medal and a Purple Heart.

Tragically, Kennedy’s older brother, Joseph Jr., who had also served in the Navy, died in 1944 when his plane exploded during a mission. Joe Jr. had been groomed by their father to be the political heir of the Kennedy family, with aspirations of one day becoming president. Following his brother’s death, John assumed the weight of these expectations, a responsibility that would shape his future endeavors.

U.S. Congressman and Senator

Kennedy’s political career began in 1946 when he ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, winning a seat in a Boston district once held by Democrat James Michael Curley. Despite his celebrity status as a war hero and his family’s financial resources, Kennedy found the work in Congress to be monotonous and unfulfilling. After three terms, he sought greater influence by running for the U.S. Senate in 1952, challenging incumbent Republican Henry Cabot Lodge. Kennedy’s campaign, managed by his younger brother Robert, was a model of modern political strategy and resulted in a narrow but decisive victory.

Once in the Senate, Kennedy continued to face frequent health issues, undergoing multiple surgeries. Nevertheless, he found time to write Profiles in Courage, a book that won the 1957 Pulitzer Prize for biography, making him the only U.S. president to win a Pulitzer. His time in the Senate was otherwise relatively uneventful, as he was more focused on international issues, particularly the Cold War and the nuclear arms race, than on the local matters of Massachusetts.

Wife and Children

Kennedy’s personal life was marked by his marriage to Jacqueline Bouvier in 1953. The couple had their first child, Caroline, in 1957, followed by their son, John Jr., in 1960. Tragically, they lost a daughter, Arabella, in a stillbirth in 1956. In 1963, they experienced the heartbreak of losing their premature son, Patrick, who died two days after his birth.

Kennedy’s family life, though marked by both joy and tragedy, was a source of stability and support throughout his political career. His relationship with Jacqueline, characterized by mutual affection and respect, remained a cornerstone of his life until his untimely death in 1963.

1960 Presidential Campaign

In 1956, Senator John F. Kennedy came close to being selected as the running mate for Democratic presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson. However, the spot ultimately went to Estes Kefauver from Tennessee. Four years later, Kennedy chose to run for the presidency himself.

During the 1960 Democratic primaries, Kennedy outpaced his primary rival, Hubert Humphrey, thanks to superior organization and substantial financial backing. With Senate Majority Leader Lyndon B. Johnson as his vice-presidential nominee, Kennedy faced Vice President Richard Nixon in the general election. The pivotal moment of the campaign came during a series of televised debates, where Kennedy, appearing calm, healthy, and energetic, contrasted sharply with Nixon, who looked tense and unwell. Despite Nixon’s experience as a skilled debater, Kennedy’s performance in these debates was widely regarded as a turning point in the election.

On November 8, 1960, Kennedy narrowly defeated Nixon to become the 35th president of the United States. Kennedy’s election was historic: at 43, he was the second youngest president in U.S. history, following Theodore Roosevelt, who was 42. Additionally, Kennedy was the first Catholic president and the first president born in the 20th century.

U.S. President

Kennedy’s inaugural address on January 20, 1961, is remembered for its inspiring call to action, particularly his famous words: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” During his brief time in office, Kennedy made significant contributions to the United States and the world.

Foreign Affairs

Kennedy’s most notable achievements were in foreign policy. In 1961, he established the Peace Corps through executive order, which would go on to send over 170,000 volunteers to 135 countries. He also initiated the Alliance for Progress to strengthen economic ties with Latin America, aiming to combat poverty and curb the spread of communism in the region.

Kennedy faced several international crises. In April 1961, he authorized the Bay of Pigs invasion, a covert operation to overthrow Cuban leader Fidel Castro. The mission, involving 1,500 CIA-trained Cuban exiles, ended in failure and was a significant embarrassment to Kennedy.

In August 1961, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev ordered the construction of the Berlin Wall to stem the flow of refugees from East to West Germany, marking a stark symbol of Cold War division.

The Cuban Missile Crisis of October 1962 was the most perilous of Kennedy’s foreign challenges. Upon discovering that the Soviet Union had installed nuclear missiles in Cuba, Kennedy implemented a naval blockade and demanded their removal. After tense negotiations, the Soviet Union agreed to dismantle the missiles in exchange for Kennedy’s promise not to invade Cuba and to remove American missiles from Turkey.

In June 1963, Kennedy negotiated the Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty with the Soviet Union and Great Britain, helping to ease Cold War tensions. It remains one of his most celebrated accomplishments.

Domestic Policy

Kennedy’s domestic policy record was mixed. Faced with a recession, he proposed a range of measures, including income tax cuts, a higher minimum wage, and social programs aimed at improving education, healthcare, and mass transit. However, due to limited cooperation from Congress, he was only able to secure modest victories: a slight increase in the minimum wage and limited tax reductions.

Civil rights emerged as one of the most contentious issues of Kennedy’s presidency. Initially reluctant to fully engage, Kennedy gradually became more supportive of civil rights reform, especially in the face of increasing protests and public pressure. In September 1962, he sent federal troops to Mississippi to ensure the safe enrollment of James Meredith, the first Black student at the University of Mississippi. Near the end of his life, Kennedy pushed for comprehensive civil rights legislation, which would become the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a landmark achievement that was passed posthumously.

Assassination and Death

On November 21, 1963, Kennedy traveled to Texas for a campaign appearance. The following day, as he rode in a motorcade through Dallas with his wife Jacqueline and Texas Governor John Connally, he was shot twice by Lee Harvey Oswald from a nearby window at the Texas School Book Depository. Kennedy died shortly afterward at Parkland Memorial Hospital at the age of 46. Oswald was arrested, but before he could stand trial, he was shot and killed by nightclub owner Jack Ruby.

Kennedy’s assassination was a profound national tragedy. To this day, many remember the exact moment they learned of his death. While conspiracy theories about the event persist, the official account remains that Oswald acted alone.

Legacy and Public Perception

Kennedy’s legacy is the subject of significant debate. To the American public and many early historians, he is regarded as a heroic, visionary leader who, had he lived longer, might have averted the political and social upheavals of the 1960s. He consistently ranks among the most beloved U.S. presidents, alongside figures like Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln.

However, more recent scholars have critiqued Kennedy’s personal life, pointing to his womanizing and lack of moral integrity, arguing that his leadership was more characterized by style than substance. The question of what Kennedy might have accomplished had he served a full term or been re-elected remains one of history’s great uncertainties. As historian Arthur Schlesinger Jr. noted, his assassination was akin to the loss of Lincoln just months after the Battle of Gettysburg or Roosevelt before the implementation of the New Deal.

The enduring image of Kennedy’s presidency is that of “Camelot,” a term coined by his wife, Jacqueline Kennedy. Reflecting on the aftermath of his death, she said, “There’ll be great presidents again, and the Johnsons are wonderful—they’ve been wonderful to me—but there’ll never be another Camelot again.”

Release of Assassination Documents

In October 2017, President Donald Trump ordered the release of 2,800 documents related to the assassination of John F. Kennedy. This was part of a process outlined in a 1992 law that mandated the declassification of such records after a 25-year waiting period. However, not all documents were released, as several agencies, including the FBI and CIA, sought additional time to review particularly sensitive material, leading to a further delay of 180 days.