John F. Kennedy

About

John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, served from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. Born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts, Kennedy was the youngest person elected to the presidency at age 43. He was the first Roman Catholic to hold the office. During World War II, Kennedy distinguished himself as a naval officer, leading survivors to safety after his PT boat was sunk. After the war, he became a U.S. Congressman and later a Senator from Massachusetts. Kennedy's presidency was marked by significant foreign policy challenges, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, where he successfully navigated the U.S. through a potential nuclear conflict. He also initiated the Peace Corps and the Alliance for Progress. His vision for space exploration led to the ambitious goal of landing a man on the moon by the end of the decade. Domestically, Kennedy supported civil rights and economic growth. His leadership style was characterized by charisma and strategic decision-making, inspiring a generation with his inaugural address's call to service: "Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."