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An AssAssin’s bullet abruptly ended the promise that John Fitzgerald
Kennedy brought to the American presidency. His family name meant
politics in their hometown of boston. Kennedy graduated from Harvard
university, and then served in the us navy. After the war, Kennedy launched
his political career, serving first in the House of Representatives, and then
in the senate. in 1956, he began a long campaign for the presidency, which
ended with his winning by a small margin in 1960. He brought youth and
vigor to the White House, and his wife Jackie became a fashion icon.tHe Kennedy dynAsty
Kennedy was born into America’s
most glamorous and famous political
dynasty. His grandfather was a state
senator in Massachusetts, and his
father served as ambassador to Great
britain. His mother’s father was mayor
of boston and a us congressman.
three of the nine Kennedy children
developed political careers: John;
Robert, who became attorney general
during his brother’s presidency, and
then served as a us senator for new
york until his own assassination in
1968; and edward (known as ted),
who represented Massachusetts in
the senate until his death in 2009.WARtiMe HeRo
Kennedy served in the us navy
during World War ii. After saving his
crew in an encounter with a Japanese
destroyer near the solomon islands,
he was awarded a medal for bravery.Cold war
Presidency
World war iiFind out more
1917 born in brookline,
Massachusetts.
1940 Graduates from
Harvard university.
1941-45 serves in us navy
during World War ii.
1946 Wins election to us
House of Representatives.
1952 elected to us
senate.
1953 Marries Jacqueline
bouvier.
1960 elected 35th
President of the us.
1961 berlin Wall divides
east and West berlin.
1962 Presides over the
Cuban Missile Crisis.
1963 Assassinated in
dallas, texas.Kennedy, John F.
KENNEDY
John Kennedy
was also
awarded the
Purple Heart, a
medal given to
those wounded
in action.CubAn Missile CRisis
When satellites revealed soviet missiles in
Cuba within striking distance of several us
cities, Kennedy ordered a naval blockade.
For 13 days, the world was on the brink of
war, until the missiles were withdrawn.A neW beGinninG
Kennedy campaigned for president with the promise
of a new frontier for Americans. Although many
voters worried about his lack of experience, Kennedy
defeated Richard nixon. in his inaugural address,
Kennedy urged Americans to, “Ask not what your country can
do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” during
Kennedy’s short time in office, the us had its first manned space
flights, the civil rights movement brought equality closer for
African Americans, and the testing of atomic bombs was outlawed.Cartoon of Cuban
leader Fidel
CastroKennedy’s AssAssinAtion
in 1963, Kennedy and his wife, campaigning in
texas, rode an open-top car through dallas. shots
rang out and Kennedy slumped down. He died half
an hour later. Police arrested lee Harvey oswald,
who denied the shooting. two days later, as oswald
was taken to prison, he was killed by a lone gunman
in front of a nationwide television audience.In his time, President
Kennedy was the
youngest man elected
president of the
United States, and
the first Roman
Catholic to hold
the office.US_300_JFK.indd 300 21/01/16 5:02 pm