Are you curious to learn some weird and wonderful facts about John F Kennedy?
If so, excellent! You are in exactly the right place my friend…
It’s time to chat about John F Kennedy (JFK) facts.
Let’s dive right in…
Facts about John F Kennedy (JFK)
1 – John F Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States.
2 – He served in office from 1961-1963.
3 – He was assassinated on November 22, 1963 by Lee Harvey Oswald. The assassination is still one of the most debated topics among historians and scholars today.
4 – Kennedy’s presidency was marked by a time of great social change. His young administration introduced new programs to help Americans with disabilities and poverty.
5 – JFK was the youngest elected president in US history who was inaugurated at 43 (Theodore Roosevelt was succeeded to office after the assassination of William McKinley at age but not via election).
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6 – JFK’s inauguration speech made him famous for saying “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”
7 – John F Kennedy graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Government and Economics.
8 – He served as a navy officer during World War II.
9 – In July of 1953 he married Jacqueline Bouvier (later known as Jackie) who would be his wife until his death on November 22nd, 1963.
10 – JFK served in WW II as commander of PT 109 and was awarded with medals for bravery including the Purple Heart, the Navy & Marine Corps Medal, and Bronze Star Medal.
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11 – He is known for his work on civil rights and nuclear disarmament.
12 – His family is Irish Catholic with roots dating back to the 1600s in County Wexford Ireland.
13 – John F Kennedy was born on May 29th, 1917.
14 – JFK was awarded two Pulitzer prizes during his lifetime (for Profiles in Courage).
15 – The couple had three children together – Caroline (born 1957), John Jr.(born 1960-died 1999) and Patrick (born 1963, died two days later).
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16 – JFK’s family has a long history in politics. His father Joseph P Kennedy Sr was ambassador to England and then US Ambassador to Nazi Germany before WWII.
17 – JFK had a pet dog named Charlie, which he brought with him to the White House.
18 – His father Joe Kennedy was an American businessman and investor who made his fortune through stocks and shares. Joe Sr.’s success enabled him to send his children to prestigious schools.
19 – John F Kennedy became president after Eisenhower resigned from office.
20 – The Bay of Pigs Invasion occurred during the presidency of John F Kennedy.
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21 – The first time that he ran for president was when he unsuccessfully challenged Dwight D Eisenhower for the Republican presidential nomination in 1956.
22 – His most famous speech is known as “A time for greatness” and he gave it on July 4, 1962.
23 – The official cause of death was due to gunshot wounds to the head and neck area with no other injuries found.
24 – His wife Jackie Kennedy helped shape his legacy by establishing the John F Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
25 – He had eight siblings: three brothers and five sisters. He was born on May 29, 1917 and lived until November 22, 1963.
JFK’s assassination had an immense impact on society – it brought about more security measures such as metal detectors at airports, public schools are now required by law to have metal detectors too, and it increased awareness of gun control laws.
His presidency is most known for his handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis, which led to a nuclear standoff between Russia and America.
JFK also created The Peace Corps as well as signed the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty with Russia in 1963.
In addition he created NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) which led to many technological advancements including satellites.
