Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, a woman known for her discipline and organization, meticulously documented her children’s lives. For her second child, she noted on a notecard:
John Fitzgerald Kennedy Born Brookline, Mass. (83 Beals Street) May 29, 1917
Alt text: The Kennedy children in Hyannis Port in 1928, showcasing a young John F. Kennedy with his siblings; image emphasizes family and childhood context.
In total, Rose Kennedy raised nine children, recording every detail from doctor’s visits to shoe sizes in individual notecards. John Fitzgerald Kennedy, named after his maternal grandfather, Boston Mayor John Francis “Honey Fitz” Fitzgerald, quickly became known as “Jack.” From a young age, Jack’s health was a concern, with Rose noting childhood illnesses like whooping cough, measles, and chickenpox.
At not yet three, Jack contracted scarlet fever, a serious illness at the time. His father, Joseph Patrick Kennedy, deeply worried about his son’s survival, visited him daily at the hospital. Jack recovered after about a month, but his health remained fragile. His family humorously remarked about the danger to any mosquito daring to bite him, implying his blood was hardly life-sustaining.
When Jack was three, the Kennedys relocated to a larger home in Brookline. His father, driven and ambitious, was building his business career. Having faced prejudice as an Irish Catholic at Harvard, Joseph Kennedy aimed to become a millionaire by 35. Despite the prevailing anti-Irish sentiment in Boston, he was determined to succeed, following in the footsteps of his grandfathers who had become successful Boston politicians after immigrating from Ireland. This family background afforded Jack a comfortable upbringing.
By the age of eight, Jack was part of a large family of seven children: older brother Joe Jr., sisters Rosemary, Kathleen, Eunice, and Patricia, and younger brother Robert. Jean and Teddy would arrive later. Nannies and housekeepers helped manage the bustling household.
Alt text: Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. poses in Palm Beach, 1931, with his sons Joe Jr. and John F. Kennedy; photograph illustrates family bond and early influences on JFK’s life.
Summers were spent at Hyannis Port on Cape Cod, where the Kennedy children engaged in swimming, sailing, and competitive touch football. Joseph Sr. fostered a competitive spirit, especially among his sons, urging them to excel in sports and in all endeavors, famously saying, “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” However, this competitiveness sometimes led to incidents, such as a bicycle race between Jack and Joe Jr. that resulted in Jack needing twenty-eight stitches. Being younger and smaller, Jack often came out worse in physical contests with Joe Jr., yet he was the only sibling who challenged Joe’s position as the eldest.
Jack was a popular student at Choate, a Connecticut boarding school. He participated in tennis, basketball, football, and golf, and enjoyed reading, notably subscribing to the New York Times daily, an unusual habit for a boy his age, as recalled by his friend Lem Billings. Despite not being a top student, his Head Master recognized his “clever, individualist mind,” particularly excelling in history and English.
His father encouraged him to apply himself, writing in a letter, “I definitely know you have the goods and you can go a long way…It is very difficult to make up fundamentals that you have neglected when you were very young, and that is why I am urging you to do the best you can. I am not expecting too much, and I will not be disappointed if you don’t turn out to be a real genius, but I think you can be a really worthwhile citizen with good judgment and understanding.”
After Choate, Jack followed Joe Jr. to Harvard in 1936. Like his brother, he played football, showing determination despite lacking Joe’s athletic prowess. A spinal disk rupture during football aggravated a back injury that would trouble him throughout his life.
While both Joe Jr. and Jack were intelligent and likeable, Joseph Kennedy Sr. initially saw Joe Jr. as the one destined for greatness – Joe Jr. had even declared his ambition to be the first Catholic president. Jack seemed less driven, though he was involved in student activities and excelled in history and government, even if his overall grades were just average.
In 1937, Joseph Kennedy Sr. became the US Ambassador to England, moving the family to London, excluding Joe Jr. and Jack at Harvard. This new environment sparked Jack’s interest in European politics and global affairs. A summer trip to Europe solidified this interest, leading him to focus more on history, government, and current events at Harvard.
Correspondence from their father in England kept Joe Jr. and Jack informed about the escalating international tensions leading to World War II. The rise of Hitler in Germany and Mussolini in Italy, with their expansionist ambitions, loomed large. The war began with Germany’s invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939.
By his senior year at Harvard, Jack chose to write his thesis on Britain’s lack of preparedness for war with Germany, later published as Why England Slept. He graduated from Harvard in June 1940, receiving a congratulatory cable from his father: “TWO THINGS I ALWAYS KNEW ABOUT YOU ONE THAT YOU ARE SMART TWO THAT YOU ARE A SWELL GUY LOVE DAD.”
World War II Service and the Path to Democratic Politics
Following graduation, both Joe Jr. and Jack enlisted in the Navy. Joe Jr. became a pilot in Europe, while Jack became a Lieutenant and commanded a patrol torpedo boat, PT-109, in the South Pacific.
Alt text: Lieutenant John F. Kennedy in 1942, portrait emphasizing his military service and leadership during World War II; image highlights his early career before politics.
Lt. Kennedy’s PT-109 crew was tasked with intercepting Japanese supply ships. On August 2, 1943, while on patrol, a Japanese destroyer collided with PT-109, sinking it and killing two crew members. Despite re-injuring his back in the collision, Lt. Kennedy helped his surviving crew, including the badly burned Patrick McMahon, reach a nearby island. He famously towed McMahon using a life jacket strap clenched in his teeth. After six days, they were rescued thanks to native islanders. Tragically, Joe Jr. died a year later in a plane explosion during a dangerous mission.
Upon returning home, Jack was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal for his bravery and leadership. As World War II ended, he considered careers in teaching or writing. However, Joe Jr.’s death significantly altered his path. After discussions with his father, Joseph Kennedy Sr., John F. Kennedy entered the world of politics, running as a Democrat for Congress in Massachusetts’ eleventh congressional district in 1946 and winning. This marked the commencement of John F. Kennedy’s political career as a Democrat.
Affiliated with the Democratic Party, Kennedy served three terms in the House of Representatives. In 1952, he was elected to the US Senate, further solidifying his position within the Democratic Party.
Shortly after becoming a senator, the 36-year-old Kennedy married Jacqueline Bouvier. His back problems recurred, requiring multiple surgeries. During recovery, he wrote Profiles in Courage, a book about senators who risked their careers for their beliefs, which won the Pulitzer Prize in 1957. The same year, their first child, Caroline, was born.
Kennedy’s popularity as a Democrat grew. He was considered for the vice-presidential nomination in 1956 and then set his sights on the presidency.
In 1960, the Democratic Party nominated John F. Kennedy as their presidential candidate. He chose Lyndon B. Johnson, a senator from Texas, as his running mate. In a close election against Republican Vice President Richard Nixon, Democrat John F. Kennedy won the presidency on November 8, 1960. At 43, he became the youngest elected president and the first Catholic president. His second child, John Jr., was born shortly before his inauguration.
John F. Kennedy: The Democratic President in the White House
John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States on January 20, 1961. His inaugural address resonated with the call for citizen engagement, famously stating, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” He also urged global cooperation against “the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.” President Kennedy, with his young family, infused the White House with a sense of youthful dynamism. The Kennedys envisioned the White House as a center for American culture and achievement, welcoming artists, writers, scientists, poets, musicians, actors, and athletes. Jacqueline Kennedy led a significant restoration project, enhancing the White House’s historical and artistic significance.
The presence of Caroline and John Jr. added a playful atmosphere to the White House. Despite his demanding schedule, President Kennedy made time for his children.
However, serious concerns weighed on President Kennedy, particularly the threat of nuclear war with the Soviet Union. The Cold War, a tense ideological standoff between the communist Soviet Union and the democratic United States, created constant risk. Events like the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 brought the world to the brink of nuclear conflict.
President Kennedy maintained a rigorous work ethic, starting his day early and working late into the night. He consumed numerous newspapers and reports to stay informed and make crucial decisions. He introduced the “New Frontier,” a vision for American progress in science, education, and social fields, advocating for global democracy and freedom.
One of his early initiatives was the Peace Corps, a program promoting international volunteer service in education, agriculture, healthcare, and construction, which continues to this day.
President Kennedy also prioritized space exploration, determined to surpass the Soviet Union’s space program. He secured significant funding for Project Apollo, aiming to land an American on the moon before 1970.
Domestically, President Kennedy confronted the critical issue of racial discrimination. Despite the 1954 Supreme Court ruling against school segregation, many areas, especially in the South, resisted desegregation. Civil rights protests led by figures like Martin Luther King Jr. gained momentum. Initially hesitant about large protests, President Kennedy eventually recognized the need for stronger federal action. In June 1963, he proposed a comprehensive Civil Rights bill and addressed the nation on television, urging an end to racism and emphasizing the principle of equality for all Americans.
Assassination and Enduring Legacy of a Democratic Leader
On November 21, 1963, President Kennedy traveled to Texas for political speeches. On November 22, while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, he was fatally shot. Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested for the assassination but was killed two days later by Jack Ruby, leaving many questions unanswered. The Warren Commission was established to investigate the assassination.
President Kennedy’s death deeply affected the nation and the world. His funeral drew massive crowds and global television audiences.
Decades later, John F. Kennedy’s presidency remains impactful. He is remembered for his leadership during the Cuban Missile Crisis, his inspirational speeches, and his commitment to social programs. Despite his imperfections, John F. Kennedy, as a Democratic president, is celebrated for his optimism and belief in collective action to solve global problems. His legacy continues to inspire, particularly his call for public service and his vision of a more just and progressive society under the Democratic ideals he championed.
