John Fitzgerald Kennedy
Essay by review • January 9, 2011 • Essay • 482 Words (2 Pages) • 1,441 Views
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States. He was the youngest president ever to be elected, the first Roman Catholic president, and the first president to be born in the 20th century. Although, he didn't get the chance to live out his term and possible another one, he impacted the entire world. No other president was so popular, especially with the young people.
John F. Kennedy from an Irish descent was born May 29, 1917, child of Joseph P. Kennedy and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. JFK had eight brothers and sisters: Joseph P. Jr. (1915), Rosemary (1918), Kathleen (1920), Eunice (1921), Patricia (1924), Robert F. (1925), Jean (1928) and Edward M. (1932). All of the children were born in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was married to Jacqueline Bouvier. They had three children, Caroline, John Jr. and Patrick
In 1940, Kennedy graduated from Harvard University with a science degree. He joined the Unites States Navy 1941 and became an intelligent officer. After the United States entered the Second World War, Kennedy was transferred to the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron where he was given command of a PT boat.
As a member of the Democratic Party, Kennedy won election to the House of Representatives in 1946. Over the next couple of years he established himself as a loyal supporter of Harry S. Truman. While in congress he advocated progressive taxation, the extension of social welfare and more low-cost public housing.
In 1956 Kennedy almost gained the Democratic nomination for Vice President, and four years later was a first-ballot nominee for President. Winning by a narrow margin in the popular vote, Kennedy became the first Roman Catholic President. His Inaugural Address offered the memorable injunction: "Ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country."
Significant events that occurred during President Kennedy's years in office were The Bay Pigs, Campaign in 1960, Civil Rights in the Context in the Early 1960s, The Cold War, The Cold War in Berlin, Cuban Missile Crisis, . His economic programs launched the country on its longest sustained expansion since World War II. Responding to ever more urgent demands, he took vigorous action in the cause of equal rights, calling for new civil rights legislation. His vision of America extended to the quality of the national culture and the central role of the arts in a vital society. With the Alliance for Progress
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