Additionally, the obscure facts surrounding JFK's assassination have ignited fascinating conspiracy theories that include CIA coverups, mafia hit jobs and a covert Soviet attack.
Source: Business Insider
The romanticized memory of a handsome young president's "interrupted promise" and the glamorous life he left behind has captivated Americans for years.
Source: ABC News
Why is America still so fascinated by the Kennedy years? For one, historians have speculated that America would be a very different place today had Kennedy survived.
Source: Salon
On November 22, 1963, JFK and Jackie were traveling in a motorcade in downtown Dallas when the president was shot in the neck and head. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
Source: History.com
The Kennedy family quickly became a national treasure. Photos of John Jr. hiding under his father’s desk in the Oval...
Source: Harpers Bazaar
During his brief tenure as president, JFK managed to leave a lasting impression on American policy. Kennedy walked the US back from the brink of nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis, eased Cold War tensions, propelled the civil-rights bill he hoped would end racial segregation forward, and started the Peace Corps organization.
Source: The Atlantic
Kennedy won over the hearts of the American people in televised national debates. After defeating his opponent, Richard Nixon, he become the first Catholic president, the first president born in the 20th century and second youngest American president ever.
Source: Biography.com
The next few years were extremely eventful for JFK. His children, Caroline and John Jr., were born and in January 1960 Kennedy announced his candidacy for the presidency of the United States.
Source: JFKLibrary.org
Early on in their marriage, while recovering from a surgery, Jackie encouraged her new husband to write a book about US senators who had risked their careers for their beliefs. JFK won a Pulitzer Prize for the biography entitled "Profiles in Courage" in 1957.
Source: JFKLibrary.com
At a dinner party JFK reportedly “leaned across the asparagus and asked her for a date.” The couple were married soon thereafter in Newport, Rhode Island.
Source: Biography.com, JFKLibrary.com
Jacqueline Bouvier was working as the “Inquiring Camera Girl” for the Washington Times-Herald newspaper when she met JFK.
Source: JFKLibrary.org
Kennedy never took his congressional or later his presidential salary. He instead donated his salaries to charity and lived off the trusts his father set up for him.
Source: Biography.com
He hired his little brother, Robert, as his campaign manager, and successfully ran for the U.S. House of Representatives, Congress and eventually the Senate.
Source: Biography.com
Joseph Kennedy Jr, JFK’s brother who hoped to one day become president, wasn't so lucky. After he was killed in the war, JFK decided to abandon his job at Hearst newspapers and follow in his older brothers footsteps.
Source: Biography.com
He was awarded the Navy and Marine corps Medal for “extremely heroic conduct” and a Purple Heart for his valor and injuries.
Source: Biography.com
While serving on the PT-109, JFK’s boat was attacked by the Japanese. Despite a severe back injury, Kennedy dragged another sailor to safety and led all other survivors to a nearby island.
Source: Biography.com
“Jack” was plagued by lifelong health problems and received last rites three times before he became president. In fact, JFK was so sickly he failed the physical examination to enter the Army and was only admitted thanks to his father's contacts.
Source: The Atlantic
Kennedy, in spite of his lack of effort, was extremely smart. He excelled at Harvard when he applied himself. His senior thesis was so well done it was published as a book in 1940 and sold more than 80,000 copies.
Source: Biography.com
Despite his father’s constant encouragement, JFK wasn’t much of a student and preferred to play football or flirt with girls.
Source: Biography.com
John F. Kennedy was born to a wealthy Irish Catholic family on May 29, 1917. He was the second oldest of nine Kennedy children.
Source: Biography.com
Source: Business Insider India