| John Fitzgerald “Jack” Kennedy, known as JFK (May 29, 1917 - November 22, 1963) – 35th US President from January 20, 1961 till November 22, 1963. Kennedy is the first Catholic US President, the first President who was born in the 20th century and youngest elected president in the history of the country. The two-year presidency of Kennedy, interrupted by his mysterious assassination, is marked by the Caribbean crisis, serious steps towards equal rights for Negroes and the beginning of the US space program “Apollo”.
Biography:
John F. Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was born into a rich family with Irish roots and the family consisted of nine children; The paarents had lived to see four of the nine children die. His father, Joseph Patrick Kennedy (1888 – 1969), was a famous politician and diplomat and close aide of President Franklyn Roosevelt. Besides political activity, Joseph Kennedy was famous for his illegal business operations (During prohibition law in USA the illegal trading of alcohol in huge inconceivable volumes. This was the main source of wealth in the Kennedy family). Mother – Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald (1890 – 1995). Her father, John Francis Fitzgerald (1863 – 1950), was once a member of the House of Representatives and Mayor of Boston. Illnesses protracted his studies: He attended The Chaote School, Connecticut, at the age of 14. John attended Harvard University in 1936 and graduates with honors.
The brothers of JF Kennedy: President John Kennedy (assassinated on November 22, 1968), Senator Robert Kennedy – assassinated in 1968 and future senator Edward Kennedy.
John Kennedy joined the US Navy in September 1941 and took part in military operations in the Pacific Theatre. Kennedy was made lieutenant and he became the Commanding Officer of the torpedo boat “PT-109”. During military operations, he was seriously injured and received two medals for courage.
On August 2, 1943, a Japanese destroyer rammed and cut the torpedo boat PT-109 into two halves. Upon falling on deck, Kennedy severely damaged his already-troubled back. Kennedy rescued 11 of 13 crew members. He remained in the sea for 4 hrs so as to support the life of several of his severely burnt crew men. His injured backbone tormented him throughout his life, about which the public came to know only after the death of Kennedy. From 1947 to 1953, Kennedy represented the county Boston in the US Congress as a member of the Democratic Party.
Later on, he became senator, winning fierce competition against Senator H.C. Lodge.
US President:
John Kennedy was elected to the post of US President in November, 1960. His brother, Robert Kennedy, who was heading the election campaign, was made Minister of Justice. Lyndon Johnson was vice-president in the Kennedy administration. According to the press, how Kennedy looked on the TV screen played a decisive role in the victory of Kennedy but not the political platform of his party, the prospect of “energetic leadership” and “flexible reaction” policies towards challenges from the outer world, promised by Kennedy were what swayed them. Kennedy was to become the first catholic President in the history of the USA.
“The Kennedy government can undertake a number of steps “in right direction” (in improving the Soviet- American relations) but improving the relations was done gradually. It is difficult to expect basic changes in the US polices in the near future since Kennedy will be bound by certain obligations with respect to the continuity of foreign policy” (Eaton Cyrus, 1960).
On January 20, 1961, John Kennedy took the oath and thus became the 35th US President. A new face, possessing contacts in financial circles of the US or people who have already succeeded in political careers, became part of the government along with new President.
Kennedy worked towards the improvement of bilateral relations between the USA and the USSR but his administration was marked by considerable foreign policy tensions: unsuccessful planning in the Bay of Pigs (April, 1961), the Berlin crisis and the Caribbean crisis (October, 1962). During the tenure of Kennedy, the USA actively intervened in the civil war in South Vietnam. In September 1961, the organization called “Peace Corps” was formed, which assisted the population of developing countries in obtaining primary working skills and education. The “Alliance for Progress” was formed in 1961, with an intention to promote the economic development of Latin America.
Kennedy worked towards equal rights for African-Americans by taking the example of Abraham Lincoln. The Afro-Americans were supported by Martin Luther King and he met him in Washington in 1963.
John Kennedy made much for space exploration by launching the program “Apollo” (“We choose to go to the Moon”).
Shortly before the assassination, Kennedy made an attempt to give back the monopoly right to print money to the US Government bypassing the FRS (Federal Reserve System).
Miscellaneous facts:
On expiry of the storing period of medical secrets, medical reports were disclosed to the public in November 2002. the physical diseases of Kennedy appeared to be more serious than assumed earlier. Despite repeated treatment, Kennedy felt constant pain due to his troubled backbone in addition to serious digestive problems and Addison’s disease. Kennedy was repeatedly administered Novocaine injections before press conferences so that he looked healthy.
|
Yesterday, news-breaking celebrity gossip site TMZ fell for the JFK photo hoax, calling it a discovery of the century that "could have altered the world events, had it come to light early". A private collector sold TMZ the so-called "lost photo" of President John F. Kennedy supposedly sunning himself on the deck of a pleasure craft outfitted with at least four undressed women. Prior to its news-breaking article, TMZ had two Kennedy biographers and one forensic professor examine the photo and they all confirmed - it is real. Too bad it turned out to be just another hoax. Otherwise, it "could have altered the world events", had it surfaced prior to JFK's presidential campaign.
