History of John F Kennedy: Over 60 Years Ago

John F Kennedy. Image: Wikipedia

HISTORY OF JOHN F KENNEDY

For one brief shining moment…

On November 22, 1963, a shot rang out in Dallas, Texas, and ended the life of John F. Kennedy, the most popular post-World War II President.

Why was JFK so popular?

He was the youngest American President elected to the office, having succeeded Dwight D Eisenhower, the oldest President up to that time. He was attractive, charming, and exuded youth and vitality despite his health problems. Kennedy was supremely confident. He courted Jackie Bouvier in the public eye, and they were glittering celebrities, American royalty.

Kennedy Campaign

For the presidential campaign, Kennedy did not use the Democratic Party machine but appealed directly to young people through TV. The first-ever live TV election debate was held between JFK and Richard Nixon. Nixon had a face for radio. Kennedy appeared young and vibrant on television; he knew how to talk to the camera, while Nixon visibly sweated on air. Those who listened to the radio debate thought Nixon won, but the opposite was true in the televised debate.

Kennedy-Nixon TV debate, 1960. Image: Wikimedia

At the time, I asked my mother who she would vote for in the 1960 election. She said, “Kennedy, he’s so good-looking.” But he only won by a majority of 0.25% of the popular vote. His inaugural address declared:

“The torch had been passed to a new generation.”

Kennedy Firsts

He represented several firsts for an American president. He was Catholic at a time when 1/4 of the electorate said they would not vote for a Catholic. In 1960, Martin Luther King Jr. said he “could not in good conscience” vote for a Catholic.

Three years earlier, the Soviets had launched Sputnik, the first space satellite into orbit, and the space race began in 1957. America was made aware of Civil Defense (CD) in booklets, pamphlets, and flyers. People were building bomb shelters; schoolchildren were drilled to seek protection from nuclear bombs by hiding under their desks.

Kennedy Creations

He is remembered not so much for what he accomplished but for what he started. Though he served only 1,000 days in the Oval Office, he established the Peace Corps, created security ties with Israel, pushed for the nuclear test ban treaty, and spoke out on civil rights and affirmative action in hiring. At his peak, he had an 83% approval rating.

He created a mission for the American people. In 1961, the first man in space was Soviet Yuri Gagarin. Predating the 5-year mission of Star Trek’s USS Enterprise, Kennedy announced in 1961:

“I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth.”

Though he would not live to see it, the US beat that goal in 1969 when Apollo 11 landed at Tranquility Base on the Moon.

Kennedy Challenges

Yet, his Presidency was not without its challenges. His meeting with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in Vienna was a personal and professional failure, which subsequently saw the construction of the Berlin Wall and the rise of the Iron Curtain. Kennedy expanded our role in Vietnam. The failed Bay of Pigs Invasion in Cuba was a disaster.

While the Kennedy presidency continues to capture the imagination of new generations of Americans, older ones look back with nostalgia. I was a boy when he was assassinated, and I remember, as if it were yesterday, writing down on a piece of school paper, which I still have:

“Today President John F. Kennedy was killed.”

Kennedy Legacy

Kennedy began his Presidency by saying,

“Ask not what your country can do for you,”

and ended it in Dallas, where he was to give a speech to propose “cutting personal and corporate income taxes.”

White House Blue Room: Boudin’s Masterpiece. Image: HuffPost

His Presidency has often been compared to that of King Arthur’s Camelot. His wife, Jackie Kennedy, refurbished the White House, turning it into a Versailles in Washington, D.C., and subsequently filmed a tour of the Presidential mansion, which was seen in 106 countries.

The handsome, charming prince of a prominent Boston family married the beautiful, French-educated princess of elegance and grace. JFK often played the title song from the then-popular stage musical before going to bed.

The musical ends with King Arthur singing:

Don’t let it be forgot
That once there was a spot
For one brief shining moment
That was known as Camelot

Bill Petro, your friendly neighborhood historian
billpetro.com