JFK: His Life and Legacy

On November 22, 1963, while being driven through the streets

of Dallas, Texas, in his open car, President John F. Kennedy was

shot dead, apparently by the lone gunman, Lee Harvey Oswald. The

world had not only lost a common man, but a great leader of men.

>From his heroic actions in World War II to his presidency, making

the decisions to avert possible nuclear conflict with world

superpowers, greatness can be seen. Kennedy also found the time

to author several best-selling novels from his experiences . His

symbolic figure represented all the charm, vigor and optimism of

youth as he led a nation into a new era of prosperity.

From his birth into the powerful and influential Kennedy

clan, much was to be expected of him. Kennedy was born on May

29,1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts. His father, Joe, Sr., was a

successful businessman with many political connections. Appointed

by President Roosevelt, Joe, Sr., was given the chair of the

Securities and Exchange Commission and later the prestigious

position of United States ambassador to Great Britain(Anderson

98). His mother, Rose, was a loving housewife and took young John

on frequent trips around historic Boston learning about American

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revolutionary history. Both parents impressed on their children

that their country had been good to the Kennedys. Whatever

benefits the family received from the country they were told,

must be returned by performing some service for the

country(Anderson 12). The Kennedy clan included Joe, Jr., Bobby,

Ted and their sisters, Eunice, Jean, Patricia, Rosemary, and

Kathleen. Joe, Jr., was a significant figure in young John's life

as he was the figure for most of John's admiration. His older

brother was much bigger and stronger than John and took it upon

himself to be John's coach and protector. John's childhood was

full of sports, fun and activity. This all ended when John grew

old enough to leave for school.