John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum John F. Kennedy: A President Who Made a DifferenceThe Story of John F. Kennedy John F. Kennedy, or “JFK,” was born on May 29, 1917, in Brookline, Massachusetts. His parents, Joseph and Rose Kennedy, taught him and his siblings the importance of helping others and working hard. These lessons helped young John, or “Jack” as his family and friends called him, grow into a leader who would one day become president of the United States. JFK became the 35th president on January 20, 1961, after a very close election. At just 43 years old, he was the youngest president ever elected. His time as president came during a tough time for the country. People worried about a possible war with the Soviet Union, and many Americans faced unfair treatment because of their race, gender, or other differences. JFK gave people hope and encouraged everyone to work together for a better future. Reflective Question: What is something you can do to help others in your school or community? Leading the Country As president, JFK worked hard to solve problems at home and around the world. He believed that the United States should be strong but also peaceful. He started the Peace Corps, which sends volunteers to other countries to help with education, healthcare, and building projects.JFK also worked to make life fairer for everyone. He supported civil rights for African Americans and signed the Equal Pay Act to help women earn the same pay as men for the same work. Reflective Question: How do you think it feels to help someone in need and why is it important to treat everyone equally and fairly? 
NPS One of JFK’s big dreams was to explore space. He wanted the United States to send astronauts to the moon. In 1961, he said, “We choose to go to the moon not because it is easy, but because it is hard.” This dream came true in 1969 when American astronauts walked on the moon for the first time. Reflective Question: What big dream would you like to achieve one day? Reflective Question: Why is it important to try hard, even when something is difficult? A Legacy of Service JFK’s life was sadly cut short when he was assassinated on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. But his ideas and actions still inspire people today. He believed in serving others, solving problems together, and dreaming big.Today, many schools, buildings, and parks are named after him, including his birthplace in Brookline, Massachusetts, which is now a historic site. His words remind us to always work toward a better world: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” Tough Vocabulary: Assassinated: If someone is assassinated, it means they were killed on purpose because theywere important, like a leader or someone who people knew a lot about. Reflective Question: What does it mean to help others and how can you make your community a better place? 
Frank Turgeon, Turgeon Studios. John F. Kennedy: A War Hero Who Became PresidentJohn F. Kennedy, or "JFK," was an important leader in American history. He became the 35th President of the United States in 1961 and helped lead the country through difficult times. But before he was president, he was a hero in World War II. Let’s explore his story!John's Life Before the War: John, or “Jack” as his family called him, had three brothers and five sisters. He was born in Brookline and grew up in Massachusetts. He loved spending time near the ocean. After he graduated from Harvard University, Jack wanted to help his country when World War II started. Jack decided to join the U.S. Navy. Soon, he became the commanding officer of a small, fast boat called a PT boat. The PT-109 Adventure: During the war in 1943, Jack was leading his crew on a PT boat called PT-109. One dark night, a huge Japanese ship crashed into their boat, breaking it in half! John and his crew were stranded in the ocean. He didn’t give up. Jack swam for hours, pulling one of his hurt crew members behind him. He led his team to a small island where they found coconuts to eat and water to drink. After many days, Jack carved a message on a coconut shell and gave it to friendly islanders who brought it to a nearby base. They helped him send the message, and soon the crew was rescued! Reflective Question: Have you ever helped someone when they needed you? How did it feel? Becoming a Hero and a Leader: Jack was awarded medals for being brave and saving his crew. After the war, he decided to help even more people by becoming a leader. He worked in government serving in the US House of Representatives and then the Senate. Later, he became the President of the United States.As president, JFK faced tough decisions. In 1962, he stopped a dangerous situation called the Cuban Missile Crisis, which could have led to a big war. Just like in the Navy, he stayed calm and made smart choices to protect people. Reflective Question: Why do you think it’s important for leaders to stay calm during hard times? A Legacy of Service: John F. Kennedy always believed in helping others. He once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” This means everyone can do something to make their community or country better.What is one thing you can do to help others in your community or school?John F. Kennedy’s story shows how bravery, kindness, and hard work can make a big difference in the world. Reflective Question: What will you do to make a difference today? 
Cecil Stoughton. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston President John F. Kennedy and the Race to the MoonHow One Leader Inspired a Nation to Reach for the StarsWhat Was the Space Race? A long time ago, two powerful countries—the United States and the Soviet Union—were in a competition called the Cold War. They weren’t fighting battles, but they wanted to show who was the strongest in science, technology, and space discovery.In 1957, the Soviet Union launched the first satellite, Sputnik I, into space. This small metallic ball beeped as it traveled around the Earth. It amazed the world and made the United States worry that they were falling behind. Reflective Question: How would you feel if another team was ahead of yours in something very important? John F. Kennedy’s Big Dream When John F. Kennedy became president in 1961, he saw how space exploration could bring the United States together and inspire people to dream big. He told everyone that the U.S. should send a man to the moon and bring him back safely before the end of the 1960s.He said, “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” Reflective Question: Why do you think President Kennedy wanted to take on such a difficult challenge? Making It Happen To achieve this moon mission, President Kennedy worked with scientists, astronauts, and leaders at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). He even asked the Soviet Union if they wanted to work together on the mission, but they said no.Still, Kennedy didn’t give up. He believed this was important for the whole country. He said, “For all of us must work to put him there.” Reflective Question: Why do you think teamwork is so important for big challenges? Challenges Along the Way Some people thought the mission to the moon was too expensive or impossible. Others worried about using so much money when there were other problems like hunger and poverty. President Kennedy tried to inspire hope. He believed that going to the moon would show how great things could happen when people work together. He also thought it would make new inventions that could help everyone in the future. Reflective Question: Can you think of a time when something hard at first ended up helping you or others later? 
NASA Even though President Kennedy wasn’t alive to see it, his dream came true. On July 20, 1969, astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon. He said, “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.” Millions of people around the world watched on TV, amazed at what humans could achieve. Reflective Question: How do you think people felt watching the moon landing for the first time? Kennedy’s Legacy President Kennedy’s vision didn’t just help America win the Space Race—it changed the world. The moon mission led to inventions like better water filters, stronger materials, and even the computers we use today.Today, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is named in his honor, reminding us of his dream to reach for the stars. He believed in working hard, dreaming big, and never giving up. Reflective Question: If you could dream big like Kennedy, what goal would you want to achieve? Conclusion President John F. Kennedy taught us that great achievements take courage, teamwork, and big dreams. His moonshot was more than a mission to the moon—it was a message to believe in ourselves and what we can accomplish together. Tough Vocabulary: Moonshot: A moonshot is when someone tries to do something really big and difficult, like going to the moon! It means trying something that seems almost impossible but could be amazing if it works. For example, inventing a cure for a disease or building something brand new could be called a moonshot. 
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum The Kennedys and the Civil Rights MovementThe Kennedy Brothers John F. Kennedy (JFK) and Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) were brothers from Brookline, Massachusetts. John F. Kennedy became the 35th President of the United States in 1961, while Robert F. Kennedy served as his Attorney General. Together, they played an important role in the civil rights movement. Though they had different positions in government, their actions were often connected, as they worked together to bring about change. Reflective Question: How do you think being brothers helped JFK and RFK work together? Tough Vocabulary:
In the 1950s and 1960s, America was filled with both hope and struggle for civil rights. Civil rights are the rights of all citizens to political and social freedom and equality. Black Americans fought for equal treatment and an end to segregation, where people were separated based on the color of their skin. Despite progress, many faced injustice and inequality, such as unequal access to voting, education, and public places. Reflective Question: How do you think segregation made life unfair for Black Americans? Tough Vocabulary:
President John F. Kennedy was deeply moved by the unfair treatment of Black Americans. In his speech on television on June 11, 1963, he said,"One hundred years of delay have passed since President Lincoln freed the slaves, yet their heirs, their grandsons, are not fully free. They are not yet freed from the bonds of injustice..."President Kennedy understood that true freedom could only happen when everyone, no matter their skin color, was treated equally. Reflective Question: Why do you think President Kennedy believed America would not be free until everyone was equal? Tough Vocabulary:
In 1960, Martin Luther King Jr., who was well known for fighting for civil rights, was arrested while protesting segregation in Georgia. After hearing about his arrest, then-Senator John F. Kennedy and his brother, Robert Kennedy, called to help secure his release. This act earned them strong support from the Black community. In the election, Kennedy won seventy percent of the Black vote. Reflective Question: Why do you think many Black Americans supported John F. Kennedy during the election? Freedom Riders and Birmingham Campaign In 1961, a group of Freedom Riders traveled across states to challenge segregation on buses. Their bus was attacked in Alabama, and President Kennedy sent federal troops to protect them. Later, in Birmingham, Alabama, peaceful protestors were sprayed with fire hoses and attacked by dogs. President Kennedy was shocked and pushed for change. Reflective Question: How do you think seeing attacks on peaceful protestors made President Kennedy feel? Tough Vocabulary:
Library of Congress During Kennedy’s presidency, steps were taken to integrate public schools. James H. Meredith became the first Black student at the University of Mississippi, and federal troops were sent to protect him. Later, Vivian Malone and James Hood tried to enroll at the University of Alabama. President Kennedy made sure they could safely attend. Reflective Question: Why do you think it was important to have Black students integrate schools? Tough Vocabulary:
After President Kennedy’s assassination in 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson pushed for the Civil Rights Act to honor JFK. The act, signed into law in 1964, made discrimination in public places and schools illegal. Reflective Question: Why do you think the Civil Rights Act was so important? Tough Vocabulary:
Dan Guravich. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston In 1968, then-Senator Robert Kennedy ran for president. He traveled across the country, learning about the struggles of Black Americans. Sadly, he was assassinated that same year. Even after his death, his work for civil rights continued through the nonprofit, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights. Reflective Question: How do you think Robert Kennedy’s work still helps people today? Tough Vocabulary:
Robert Kennedy once said,"Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope... Those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."This shows how his actions, and the actions of others, helped make change possible in America. Reflective Question: What does Robert Kennedy mean by “ripples of hope”? Tough Vocabulary:
NPS John F. Kennedy: A President Who Loved BooksDid you know that one of our country’s presidents, John F. Kennedy, loved to read? He believed books could teach us new things, make us think, and even help us dream big! Let’s learn about his life and how much he loved writing and reading. Young Jack and His Favorite Stories John F. Kennedy, or "Jack" as his family called him, grew up in a big family with eight brothers and sisters. His mother loved books and wanted her kids to love them too. She made a long list of books for them to read. Jack was the only one who read all the books!Jack was often sick and reading books was his way of staying entertained. His favorite stories were Billy Whiskers Kids about a naughty goat and King Arthur and His Knights of the Round Table, a story about brave knights and exciting adventures. Reflective Question: What’s your favorite book or story? How does it make you feel when you read it? 
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum "Why England Slept" – Jack Writes a Book! Jack was very curious and loved to learn. He traveled to Europe and met people from different countries when World War II was about to begin. He noticed some countries weren’t ready for war and wrote about it in his college paper. His paper was so good that it became a book called Why England Slept! He was only 23 years old.Jack once said, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” This means good leaders are always learning new things. Reflective Question: What do you think you’d write about if you could write a book? Why would that topic be exciting to you? Profiles in Courage – A Book About Bravery Even when Jack became a senator, he kept writing. After he had surgery on his back, he worked on another book called Profiles in Courage. It’s about U.S. leaders who made brave decisions, even when it was hard. His book won a big award called the Pulitzer Prize! It showed the world how much he loved learning and sharing stories of bravery. Reflective Question: Can you think of a time you made a brave choice? What gave you the courage to do it? The President and the Poet When Jack became president, he wanted everyone to love books and art as much as he did. For his inauguration, he invited a famous poet, Robert Frost, to speak. Jack believed that art and poetry made our country stronger.He also gave Frost a Congressional Gold Medal to thank him for his amazing poetry. Jack said, “We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth.” He knew that books, poems, and art can teach us about the world and ourselves. Reflective Question: How does art, like a drawing, story, or song, make you feel? Why do you think art is important? A Legacy of Learning Jack didn’t just write books—he inspired others to write and be creative, too. Even after he passed away, people remembered how much he loved reading and learning. Today, there’s an award named after his book, Profiles in Courage, that honors people who show bravery. There’s also a performing arts center in Washington, D.C., named after him.Jack once said, “One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.” He showed us that reading, learning, and trying new things can help us make a difference in the world. Reflective Question: What’s one way you can make a difference in your school, home, or community? How can you start today? John F. Kennedy showed us that books can take us to new places and teach us how to be brave and kind. Just like Jack, you can find inspiration in the stories you read and the things you learn. Who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll write your own book and inspire others too! 
United States Mint Minting a Legacy: The History of the Kennedy Half DollarThe Kennedy Half Dollar is a special coin made to remember President John F. Kennedy after his assassination in 1963. The U.S. Mint made a new design with President Kennedy’s picture on the front and the Presidential Seal on the back. The coin was first sold to the public in March 1964, just a few months after President Kennedy died. People wanted the coin so much that they lined up at banks to get it!At first, the Mint planned to make 90 million coins, but they had to make even more because so many people wanted them. In 1965, the Mint changed the coin to use less silver because there wasn’t enough silver to make so many coins. Since then, over 4 billion Kennedy Half Dollars have been made, and many people keep them as part of their coin collections.The design of the coin has stayed mostly the same, with just a few small changes over the years. Special versions of the coin were made to celebrate important events, like the 200th birthday of the United States in 1976 and the coin’s 50th anniversary in 2014. Today, the Kennedy Half Dollar is mostly made for collectors and sold for more than fifty cents. People still love the coin because it helps remember President Kennedy and his legacy. Tough Vocabulary: Assassination: when someone kills another person on purpose, usually a famous or important person, like a leader or a politician. U.S. Mint: The U.S. Mint is a place where the government makes coins, like pennies, nickels, and quarters. They also make special coins to remember important people or events. Legacy: A legacy is something special that someone leaves behind after they’re gone, like their memories, work, or the good things they did. For example, if someone helps a lot of people, their kindness can be part of their legacy. It’s something that people remember and think about even after that person is no longer there. Special Activity: Think about all the coins you’ve seen. Who is on each coin? What does the coin help us remember about that person?Let’s make our own coins! Take a piece of paper and draw two matching circles.
Library of Congress The History of Irish Immigration in Boston and the Legacy of John F. Kennedy: The First Irish ImmigrantsIn the late 1700s, many Irish families left Ireland because they were facing difficult times. They were dealing with unfair laws and high taxes and wanted to escape from British control. These early immigrants came to Boston in search of a better life. Most of the people already living in Boston were Protestant, so the city wasn’t very welcoming to newcomers. The Irish had few job opportunities and faced discrimination, but many stayed close to family and friends as they tried to build new lives. Reflective Question: Why do you think many early Irish immigrants faced such difficult conditions when they first arrived in Boston? Vocabulary
In the mid-1800s, many more Irish immigrants arrived because a disease wiped out most of Ireland's potato crop. This period became known as the Great Hunger or the Irish Potato Famine. Thousands of people died from hunger, disease, and difficult conditions. Many who survived were sick and poor when they arrived in America. Unlike the first immigrants, these newcomers didn’t have money to move elsewhere, so they settled near Boston’s waterfront. They lived in crowded and unhealthy conditions, where disease spread easily. Reflective Question: How do you think the harsh conditions during the Great Hunger affected the lives of Irish immigrants in Boston? Vocabulary
The Irish who settled in Boston lived in neighborhoods like the North End and East Boston. These areas were crowded, and many lived in tenement buildings, where conditions were poor. Many worked as day laborers or servants, making very little money. The lack of jobs, poor living conditions, and poverty caused disease to spread easily, and many people, especially children, died young. Reflective Question: What challenges did Irish immigrants face in their daily lives as they tried to build a better future in Boston? Vocabulary
The Irish immigrants faced discrimination in nearly every part of daily life. Many Protestant Bostonians viewed the Irish as inferior and worried that the Catholic immigrants would change their way of life. Signs in shops even read, “No Irish Need Apply.” The Irish were often turned away from jobs, schools, and public places, and their faith was sometimes attacked by Protestant teachers. Reflective Question:Why do you think the Irish immigrants faced so much discrimination, and how did it make them feel? Vocabulary
When the American Civil War began in 1861, many Irish immigrants fought to show that they were loyal to the United States. Though some Irish people didn’t agree with President Abraham Lincoln, they still joined the Union army. This helped change the way many Bostonians viewed the Irish proving that they were true Americans. Reflective Question: Why was the Civil War a turning point in how Irish immigrants were viewed by others in Boston? Vocabulary
By the late 1800s, the children and grandchildren of Irish immigrants had started moving up in society. They began to hold important political positions. John “Honey Fitz” Fitzgerald, John F. Kennedy’s grandfather, became the first Irish American mayor of Boston. Slowly, Irish Catholics began to influence the city’s politics. Reflective Question: How did Irish immigrants and their descendants start gaining political power in Boston? Vocabulary
Reflective Question: How did Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.’s experiences in Boston shape his views on moving his family to a different city? Vocabulary
Cecil Stoughton. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston Vocabulary
John F. Kennedy’s presidency showed how much Irish immigrants had accomplished in just over a century. His story reminds us that with hard work, determination, and unity, we can overcome challenges. The Irish immigrants who came to Boston left a lasting impact on the city and the What does John F. Kennedy’s success teach us about the power of hard work and determination? Vocabulary
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Last updated: August 3, 2025