author
John F. (John Fitzgerald) Kennedy
1917–1963
Remembered for youthful energy, wartime heroism, and a presidency shaped by Cold War pressure, he remains one of the most recognizable figures in American history. His life and death left a lasting mark on politics, public service, and the national imagination.
1 Audiobook
State of the Union Addresses
by John F. (John Fitzgerald) Kennedy
About the author
Born in Brookline, Massachusetts, on May 29, 1917, he came from the large and politically ambitious Kennedy family. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Navy and became widely known for his actions after the patrol boat PT-109 was sunk. After the war, he entered politics, serving in the U.S. House of Representatives and then the Senate before winning the presidency in 1960.
As the 35th president of the United States, he served from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. His administration is closely tied to major Cold War events, including the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis, as well as the creation of the Peace Corps and a strong push for the nation’s space program.
He also spoke publicly in support of civil rights during a tense and changing period in American life. Assassinated in Dallas on November 22, 1963, he left office after less than three years, but his speeches, image, and sense of public purpose have kept his legacy vivid for generations.