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John Fitzgerald Kennedy
(May 29, 1917 – November 22, 1963), often referred to as JFK, was
the 35th President of the United States. He served from 1961 until
his assassination in 1963. A member of the prominent Kennedy
political family, he is considered an icon of American liberalism.
During World War II, he served as a naval lieutenant in the Pacific
theatre and was cited for exceptional bravery for the rescue of his
men. Kennedy is the youngest person ever to have been elected
president of the United States, at the age of 43.
Major events during his presidency included the failed Bay of Pigs
invasion, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the building of the Berlin Wall,
the Space Race, early events of the Vietnam War, and the American
Civil Rights Movement. In rankings of U.S. presidents, historians
usually grade Kennedy above average, but among the general public he
is often regarded as among the greatest presidents. |
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