Presidential Biographies No. 35: John F. Kennedy

     Hello everybody and welcome back to another edition of International History Hub! I'll be your host, Mr. Nations, your tour guide to this massive world we all call home! Today on Presidential Biographies, we'll be taking a look at the life of John F. Kennedy, the 35th president who served from 1961-1963. Well, what are we waiting for? Let's dive straight into it, shall we?

     John Fitzgerald Kennedy often referred to by his initials JFK, was an American politician who served as the 35th president of the United States from January 1961 until his death in November 1963. Kennedy served during the majority of the Cold War, with the greater amount of his work as president focusing on relations with the Soviet Union and Cuba. Kennedy, a Democrat, represented Massachusetts in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate before becoming president.

     Kennedy was born into a wealthy family in Brookline, Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard University in 1940 before joining the U.S. Naval Reserve the year after. During World War II, he commanded a series of boats in the Pacific and earned the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his actions. While in the Senate, Kennedy published his book, Profiles in Courage, which won a Pulitzer Prize. In the 1960 presidential election, he narrowly defeated opponent Richard Nixon, who was vice president.

     During Kennedy's presidency, he dealt with high tensions from communist countries during the Cold War. In April of 1961, he attempted to overthrow the reign of Fidel Castro, leader of Cuba. He rejected plans such as Operation Northwoods, which stated that the U.S. plan false attacks to gain approval for a war against Cuba. However, his administration still planned for Cuba's attack in the summer of 1962. Kennedy also oversaw the Cuban Missile Crisis, which almost resulted in a global thermonuclear war.

     On November 22, 1963, Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas by Lee Harvey Oswald, who shot Kennedy while he was in his presidential motorcade from the Texas Schoolbook Depository.

     Fun Facts:

• His family was very, very, rich. At the time of his death, his estate was thought to be worth $1,000,000,000, or one billion dollars. 
• He was the only president to receive a Purple Heart.
• His father escaped a terrorist attack just after Kennedy was born. 

     John Fitzgerald Kennedy:

     

     Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy

     https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/10-fascinating-facts-about-president-john-f-kennedy/