John F. Kennedy
(January 20, 1961 to November 22, 1963)

Born: May 29, 1917
Died: November 22, 1963

Political Party: Democrat
Previous Occupation: Author, public official

Elected From: Massachusetts
Vice President: Lyndon B. Johnson (1961-63)
Cabinet Members: view list

Other Government Positions:
· Member of U.S. House of Representatives, 1947-53
· United States Senator, 1953-61

Inaugural Address: 1961
Biography: view

Presidential Highlights:
· Created the White House Office of Science and Technology (furthered scientific research).

· Approved the Manpower Development and Training Act (improved the skills of underprivileged Americans).

· Created the Peace Corps (a volunteer agency that helps developing nations).

· Approved an invasion of Cuban exiles (trained by the United States military) into Cuba. The exiles were unsuccessful (they were trapped at the Bay of Pigs). The exiles expected help from the U.S. military which never arrived. President Kennedy vetoed a rescue mission that would have retrieved the exiles.

· Proposed general income tax cuts, investment incentives for businesses, and a training program for the unemployed.

· Cuban Missile Crisis. In 1962, President Kennedy learned that the Soviets had placed nuclear missile bases in Cuba. On October 22, 1962, President Kennedy ordered a U.S. naval blockade of Cuba’s ports. He called on the Soviets to dismantle the bases. The Soviets removed the missiles.

· Approved the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (a treaty with over 100 countries aimed at ending nuclear weapons testing).

· Was shot dead after 2 years and 10 months in office.

Presidential Election:

1960
John F. Kennedy	303
Richard Nixon	219

Pop Out Into New Window