John F. Kennedy Born to Joseph and Rose Kennedy on May 29, 1917, John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the second child in a family of nine children. Competition amongst the children, both physical and intellectual, was fierce. Raised Roman Catholic and Democratic, JFK was blessed with parents who were able to set up trust funds for each child, making them all independently wealthy.

Joseph Kennedy had expected his eldest son, Joe, to follow in his footsteps as a politician. But Joe’s 1945 death in the war meant that the mantle was passed on to JFK, who was hoping to get into academics or journalism.

No stranger to the war himself, JFK served a distinguished military career. In spite of a severe injury in a patrol torpedo boat that the Japanese sank in enemy waters, JFK was able to lead his men back to safety. Because of his bravery, he earned the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Medal for heroism.

This not only set JFK apart as a war hero, but also set him up for a lifelong drug addiction to amphetamines, which at the time were thought harmless. The addiction was under enough control, however, that JFK was able to work his way up in a strong political career, eventually becoming the 35th president of the United States.

A young and energetic president with a lovely wife, JFK was loved by the nation. He secured the Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty and the Alliance for Progress, during his presidency. But his presidential success was cut short by tragedy. In 1963, he was riding next to his wife in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas, when an assassin shot him with two rifle shots, ending his life immediately and with it, his presidency.

The nation truly mourned the loss of their beloved president, killed so brutally and so publically that millions of people were traumatized by viewing the scene, both on site and over the television. In spite of much controversy surrounding the president’s private life, such as that involving Marilyn Monroe, JFK has held his beloved status in the hearts of the people.

JFK said, “We need men who can dream of things that never were and not ask why.”