The 1960s are often considered to be the golden era of American history. Mostly, this opinion is supported by an array of major events that took place throughout that period. Nonetheless, there are several things that capture the attention the most. One of those events, undeniably, is the presidency of John F. Kennedy. The renowned Democrat became the President of the United States in 1961. Taking into consideration the outcomes of his short but sparkly presidency, this event can be undoubtedly considered to be the turning point for the country and the American nation as a whole. It is safe to say that Kennedy was an extraordinary character and his rule generated a series of events that have left a trace in the memories of people all around the world.
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Kennedy was keen on forming a democratic society and eradicate prejudice and segregation. Therefore, he was known as a fighter for freedom, equality, and peace. This can be seen in his efforts to improve the lives of the American people. The first event connected to Kennedy’s presidency is, in fact, a sequence of events that led to positive changes. Those events include the formation of the Peace Corps, federal support for Freedom Riders, and big tax cuts (Burgan, 2013). Kennedy was aimed at creating a democratic government that valued the contribution of its citizens to the country’s economy and overall stability. Eventually, the 35th President of the United States triggered numerous persistent transformations in the country and the society despite the controversy around his personality.
Another claim made by Kennedy became an implicit premise to the subsequent event. The Moon Program was one of the most ambitious propositions made by JFK. He stated that the country would land a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s. Ultimately, this became true in 1969, when Neil Armstrong became the first man to step on the surface of the Moon (Sabato, 2013). Even though Kennedy’s contribution is practically minimal, his influence is perceptible and should be highly appreciated. To put it mildly, the ingenuity of such ideas (e.g., the Moon Program initiative) became one of the most evident of Kennedy’s characteristics. On a bigger scale, this major event became the hallmark of American history and changed people’s minds forever. Even though this event generated serious controversy, the fact of landing a man on the Moon still remains one of the events that can be connected to JFK’s rule.
Nonetheless, the key event that happened during Kennedy’s presidency was, in fact, his assassination. The year of 1963 will always be remembered by the Americans as the year when one of their all-time favorite presidents had passed away. To this day, it is not clear why Kennedy was assassinated, but his contribution to the cultural and financial development of the United States will always be regarded as one of the biggest steps ever taken by the country. The legacy of the 35th President of the United States will live on forever.
Burgan, M. (2013). John F. Kennedy. Chicago, IL: Capstone Heinemann Library.
Sabato, L. (2013). The Kennedy half-century: The presidency, assassination, and lasting legacy of John F. Kennedy. New York, NY: Bloomsbury.