Birth of John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts, to Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy.
1917
1935
Enrollment at Harvard University
John F. Kennedy enrolled at Harvard University, where he studied government and international relations, graduating cum laude in 1940.
1941
Military Service in World War II
John F. Kennedy joined the U.S. Navy and served as a commanding officer of PT-109, a patrol torpedo boat, during World War II. He was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his heroism.
1947
Elected to U.S. House of Representatives
John F. Kennedy was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for Massachusetts' 11th congressional district, serving from 1947 to 1953.
1953
Elected to U.S. Senate
John F. Kennedy was elected to the U.S. Senate, representing Massachusetts, and served until 1960. During his tenure, he worked on labor issues and foreign policy.
1956
Publication of "Profiles in Courage"
John F. Kennedy published "Profiles in Courage," a book about U.S. Senators who risked their careers by standing up for their principles. The book won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 1957.
1960
Elected President of the United States
John F. Kennedy was elected the 35th President of the United States, defeating incumbent Vice President Richard Nixon. He was inaugurated on January 20, 1961.
1961
Inauguration and "Ask Not" Speech
John F. Kennedy delivered his famous inaugural address, urging Americans to "ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."
1961
Establishment of the Peace Corps
John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps, an organization that sends American volunteers abroad to work on various development projects.
1962
Cuban Missile Crisis
John F. Kennedy successfully navigated the Cuban Missile Crisis, a 13-day confrontation between the United States and the Soviet Union over Soviet ballistic missiles deployed in Cuba.
1963
Civil Rights Address
John F. Kennedy delivered a landmark civil rights address, calling for legislation to end segregation and protect voting rights for African Americans.
1963
Assassination of John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, while riding in a presidential motorcade. His death shocked the nation and the world.
1964
Civil Rights Act Signed into Law
The Civil Rights Act of 1964, which John F. Kennedy had championed, was signed into law by his successor, President Lyndon B. Johnson.
1965
Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965
The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965, which ended quotas based on national origin, was influenced by John F. Kennedy's vision for a more inclusive America.
1969
Apollo 11 Moon Landing
The Apollo 11 mission, which saw the first humans land on the Moon, was a direct result of John F. Kennedy's commitment to space exploration, announced in 1961.
