Across the centuries and across the continents, important figures have played key roles within our lives. President John Fitzgerald Kennedy is one that literally made a very positive impact within the United States as well as around the world. He has always been an inspiration to me as he was a very noble and probably one of the most unique presidents of the United States. Charismatic, the youngest leader, and one whom literally broke the barriers. Within America, and as well as globally. Certainly he was groomed during the years by way of his father, but then at a certain stage I believe he took on areas that he came into his own. As many know the Kennedy family was regarded much like royalty. He had an impact that few have even come close with then and even within this modern age. This term of hope is still a continuum from the era of President Kennedy. Raised in the state of Massachusetts, he was the son of Joseph and Rose Kennedy and the brother of a family of nine siblings. John’s older brother Joe was initially chosen within the family to become president, however Joe was killed during the Second World War in an aviation incident. Kennedy's political life began by way of succession from within his family, to then by the means of his own tenacity within politics. He sought the nomination for the eleventh congressional district in Massachusetts. As the years went on, John served three terms in the House of Representatives, and in 1952 he was elected to a seat within the Senate. At time went on he was increasingly becoming very popular and very well known. Very well educated, he served within the war, and he had this charisma that far surpassed many others within this time.
In 1956 he was almost chosen to run for Vice President. He decided to decline the offer primarily as at this time he had come into his own and was keen in obtaining his very own desire to become the future President of the United States. He was nominated to be the candidate of President, and there after he requested Lyndon B. Johnson whom hailed from Texas to be his running partner as Vice President.
On November 1960 John Kennedy was running for president against Richard Nixon.
By only merely 83 votes, at the age of 43, John became the youngest president. As well in those days, as within these within the culture of America religion did count. John broke the barriers here as well as he was the first catholic to ever be elected.
His first year in office was dominated by boundaries that only truly defined whom President John Kennedy was. As he could meet paths by way of his own thoughts, he was very in touch with several situations within the country as well as internationally. One of the largest concerns and worries for President Kennedy was the possibility of nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union. This war would happen in the years following the Second World War, as commonly known as, "The Cold War." One of John Kennedy's handicaps was that he was the youngest president ever elected at 43, and with that title came criticism that the white house needed older and experienced ruling. So while under such pressure from older members of the government, John proved them wrong with his handling in events such as the Cuban Missile Crisis. His efforts were impeccable.
Throughout Kennedy's political career, he faced many adversities and trials. But within the finality of all that he faced he was tremendously successful with each area in which he advocated along with the problems that he had to deal with. As mentioned, one of the most notable problems was dealing with the daunting Cuban Missile Crisis in which the Soviets prepared for nuclear war against the United States in Cuba. At the same time he was very successful in the formation of placing the first man on the moon, creating the Peace Core, and most of all he committed himself along with his brother in the civil rights movement. He never wavered. For he was truly and inspirational President, that regardless of what areas he faced he stayed true to the very ideals in which he believe in.
On this day John F. Kennedy was assassinated while visiting Dallas, Texas. If there was one thing that John, whom was commonly known, as “Jack” believed in was within the freedoms of each individual’s rights. Shortly after his assassination, his Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Acts were honored and placed into law. I remember so well so many of his quotes, I think that he is one of those leaders that will always be studied. However on this day he died much too early, but yet within his lifetime as a leader of a nation he certainly did what some do within a lifetime that far surpasses the short one in which he lived.
A worthy link:
http://www.jfk50.org/
Very touching thank you for the post, I remember some of the events but I was very young maybe about 6. The Kennedy family surely had it's share of tragedies. So much to remember and honor too. How sad that John F Kennedy was assassinated
ReplyDeleteHe was a strong .President:)
ReplyDeleteone of the best indeed , god rest his soul.!
ReplyDeleteHe was one of the best. Thanks
ReplyDeleteWhat a charismatic leader. And I have to add that he was a war hero too. There is a film (can't recall the title) that highlights his bravery in a fairly tense situation during WW2.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great man he was and so sad that he died before his time...
ReplyDeletejack kennedy was indeed a powerful leader---a man with many flaws and yet he put country first--not with words or emotions but rather with action and example------a great speaker he did not rely on popularity but rather on his intellect and his fine tuned decisions-------
ReplyDeleteThanks Jack.
ReplyDeleteI'm not an american. But i come to liked the man. Regardless of what has written when it comes to his personal life. He proved tobe a good working president even at a younger age and that what matters.
ReplyDeleteHe literally is one of my favorite leaders. He did live a great life and look at how we reference him so much Cheryl, the link of I place in here I found really interesting but regardless of everything and all things considered he truly changed the world within that time and era.
ReplyDeleteCaroline, I think he was influenced by way of his father at first and then there came a time that he took stances on certain things that where well within his own. Too this very day he was the youngest leader, the first Irish catholic, one that placed a man on the moon, started the peace core, stood regardless of how much dissensions there was with enabling all to have rights by way of his civil rights legislation, and we were very close
ReplyDeleteto having a nuclear war at the time of the Cuban Missile Crisis. He stood his ground. I don't know many these days that do.
Yet he did.
Rosie if there is one that really impacted nearly every country it was John. Of course it was a different era.
ReplyDeleteBut still...
Doug he was, he truly was.
ReplyDeletePat his older brother actually was the one that Joe Kennedy wished to be president, but he passed away in world war two. John did go into the Navy and there is a heroic thing in which he did do. For years there after he was on pain medications for the rest of his life - but I do like the story of his bravery as well. I think this is the story that your referencing Patrick.
ReplyDeleteHe was assigned to the South Pacific as commander of a patrol torpedo boat, the PT-109. Lieutenant Kennedy had a crew of twelve men whose mission was to stop the enemy Japanese ships from delivering supplies to their soldiers. On August 2, 1943, Kennedy and his crew were patrolling the waters looking for enemy ships to sink and suddenly a Japanese destroyer traveling at full speed towards them became visible. With Kennedy at the wheel, he tried his best to veer sharply out of the way, but time proved no friend to him.The japanese destroyer cut the PT-109 straight killing two of Kennedy's men. John was able to get all the his troops to an island and there after render help.
Julie he changed the times regardless, as before his time no one would take a stand with black people. Between John and his brother Bobby they literally created havoc within the government and within the society as people other that white were not able to vote, use the same bathroom. He literally changed
ReplyDeletethings so that everyone was equal. Even Martin Luther King would not have had the ability to speak in Washington with, "I have a dream" unless it wasn't
for John F. Kennedy.
He was look at how many books are and have been wrote on this man. I do feel that he was a very profound and there shall never be another like him but he certainly has influenced many even those that are in office on either side of the government.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Michelle.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure Maritess of any country that has not adopted in some manner some of the thoughts and quotes of John F. Kennedy.
ReplyDeleteThat day in November was perhaps the single saddest day in my lifetime for the USA. We have had great achievements like the Moon landings and many days when men came home from war and such, but this is the crulest day in my book, possibly only eclipsed some would say by 9/11/2001.
ReplyDeleteDoug I read so much on him as well as the Kennedy Empire, as with Joe the father of John it was. I used to sneak out books from my brothers room and then some of the stories that came about by way of a general visiting another general. To listen to there talks with regards to the Cuban Missile crisis amazed me. Which book is this of yours, I have only one that you sent me. I see where within these times we do live in a different manner. But John Kennedy was truly someone that I read and read on. Not to carry on too much on this my brother is a Beatles collector, but as well he has magazines, and books that I thought that I was one that had a library but he literally has a huge collection.
ReplyDeleteThe front cover of the news here today included this day in which Kennedy was assassinated. While I was having my car service I struck up a conversation with another person and everyone really started to say where they were and seemingly it was a time that everyone remembers. So it was sad yet it, I think for the most part that John had the most profound impact thus far. In America and within so many countries as well. George Diefenbaker hated the man until he realized really whom he was. He really impacted not only other leaders as well. I think we can see most all of them that literally are inspired by the man. Unfortunately, John jr. passed on. And go figure just by the name if John John would have went into office, he probably would have been a president. As I really see the Kennedy's as being much like the royalty within America but within a American way. I guess that is due to the impact globally.
This link is rally amazing - http://www.jfk50.org/
One of the most profound moments I had during my trips to the USA was visiting Arlington Cemetary and standing beside the graves of the Kennedy's because of the enormous influence and impact they had in this world.
ReplyDeleteI have never been there my father was several times. But for that matter Toni, I met John jr. while I was working in New York. At the time he was running a magazine, so that is as close as I ever got in meeting any Kennedy. It would be something to see this place.
ReplyDelete