Brief biography of John F. Kennedy. The last secret of John F. Kennedy: the president was hiding a deadly disease
50 years ago at this time, John F. Kennedy was elected President of the United States. He was at the head of the country for a little over 1000 days before he was killed, but these were very important days. This man and his family have become iconic around the world, becoming a symbol of American family life. This year, a four-year, $10 million process to digitize archives from the JFK Library and Museum is almost complete, and LIFE magazine recently published a series of never-before-seen photographs of the president. Collected in this issue are some copies of these photos, mostly from the Kennedy Library, LIFE magazine, and other agencies, taken 50 years ago.
(Total 26 photos)
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1. President John F. Kennedy addresses the country from the Oval Office during the Berlin Crisis on July 25, 1961. (Cecil Stoughton, White House/John F. Kennedy Library)
2. In this photo, John F. Kennedy speaks to a crowd in Logan County, West Virginia, and a boy stands nearby, playing with a gun that looks very much like a real one. (Hank Walker/TIME & LIFE Pictures)
3. On the way through Illinois during the presidential campaign in 1960, photo Count Paul Schutzer decided to capture his colleagues. (Paul Schutzer/TIME & LIFE Pictures)
4. Vice President Lyndon Johnson, US President John F. Kennedy and Special Assistant to the President Dave Powers at the opening of the baseball season in 1961 at Griffith Stadium in Washington. (John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum)
5. The presidential team watches the first American go into space on May 5, 1961. Left to right: Vice President Johnson, Arthur Schlesinger, Arleigh Burke, President Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline. (Cecil Stoughton, White House/John F. Kennedy Library)
6. President Kennedy aboard the US Coast Guard yacht Manitou on August 26, 1962 in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. (Robert Knudsen, White House/John F. Kennedy Library)
7. President Kennedy addresses the people in Berlin on June 26, 1963. (Robert Knudsen, White House/John F. Kennedy Library)
8. In Miami, Florida, after formally addressing Brigade 2506 at the Orange Bowl, Mrs. Kennedy informally communicates with some members of this military formation on December 29, 1962. (Cecil Stoughton, White House / John F. Kennedy Library)
9. President Kennedy with his children Carolyn and John Jr. in the Oval Office of the White House on October 10, 1962. (Cecil Stoughton, White House / John F. Kennedy Library)
10. Kennedy arrives in Hyannisport, Massachusetts, May 11, 1963. (Cecil Stoughton, White House / John F. Kennedy Library)
11. On October 7, 1963, a group of photographers, including White House photographers Cecil Stoughton and Abby Rowe, surrounded the Test Ban Treaty. nuclear weapons in the atmosphere outer space and underwater. The photographs are taken to capture President Kennedy's signature. (Robert Knudsen, White House / John F. Kennedy Library)
12. President Kennedy and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy meet in the West Wing of the White House on October 3, 1962. (Cecil Stoughton, White House / John F. Kennedy Library)
13. President John F. Kennedy looks into the space capsule at the NASA medal ceremony for astronaut and Colonel John Glenn Jr. in Cape Canaveral, Florida, February 23, 1962. (Cecil Stoughton, White House / John F. Kennedy Library)
14. Florida State Senator George Smathers and President Kennedy at Complex 37, where they were shown a rocket planned to fly to Saturn, November 16, 1963. (Cecil Stoughton, White House / John F. Kennedy Library)
15. President John F. Kennedy signs the Equal Pay Act June 10, 1963. (Cecil Stoughton, White House / John F. Kennedy Library)
16. Mrs. Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr. in 1962 at the White House. (Cecil Stoughton, White House / John F. Kennedy Library)
17. John F. Kennedy delivers a speech at Rice University Stadium in Houston, Texas, September 12, 1962. (Cecil Stoughton, White House / John F. Kennedy Library)
18. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy and her sister Princess Lee Radziwill ride an elephant while traveling in March 1962. (Cecil Stoughton, White House / John F. Kennedy Library)
19. President Kennedy in the Oval Office of the White House on July 11, 1963. (Cecil Stoughton, White House / John F. Kennedy Library)
20. US President John F. Kennedy rides through Cork, Ireland, June 28, 1963. (Robert Knudsen, White House / John F. Kennedy Library)
21. Kennedy shakes hands with people gathered outside a hotel in Fort Worth, Texas, November 22, 1963. (Cecil Stoughton, White House / John F. Kennedy Library)
22. A few seconds after the shot, a limousine with a mortally wounded President Kennedy rushes to a hospital in Dallas, Texas, November 22, 1963. Secret Service agent Clinton Hill rides behind, Mrs. John Connally - the wife of the Governor of Texas - covers her wounded husband, Mrs. Kennedy leaned towards the president. (AP Photo/Justin Newman)
23. The coffin with the body of John F. Kennedy is carried aboard the presidential plane in Dallas on November 22, 1963. Lawrence "Larry" O "Bryan, Jacqueline Kennedy and Dave Powers are watching this process. (Cecil Stoughton, White House / John F. Kennedy Library)
24. November 22, 1963 Lyndon B. Johnson takes the oath in the office aboard Air Force One after the assassination of John F. Kennedy in Dallas. Left to right: Mac Kilduff (holding recorder), Judge Sarah T. Hughes, Jack Valenti, Congresswoman Albert Thomas, Marie Fehmer (behind Thomas), First Lady Lady Bird Johnson, Dallas Police Chief Jessie Currie, President Lyndon B. Johnson, Evelyn Lincoln (her glasses are barely visible over Lady Bird Johnson's shoulder), Congressman Homer Thornberry (in shadow), Roy Kellerman, Lem Jones, former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, Pamela Tunur (behind Brooks), Congressman Jack Brooks, Bill Moyers. (Cecil Stoughton, White House / John F. Kennedy Library)
25. President Kennedy's coffin Eastern room White House November 23, 1963. (Robert Knudsen, White House / John F. Kennedy Library)
26. Relatives and friends during the funeral procession of President John F. Kennedy in Washington on November 25, 1963. Pictured: Robert F. Kennedy, Mrs. John F. Kennedy, Edward M. Kennedy, R. Sargent Shriver, Stephen Smith. (Robert Knudsen, White House / John F. Kennedy Library)
John Kennedy was born in 1917 in Brookline, Massachusetts. From the first years of his life, the boy differed from other children in poor health. Growing up, John was not interested in anything that affected his studies. Success at school was average, but the boy himself did not stand out among other students. At the age of thirteen, John was sent to a Catholic boarding school. Separation from relatives had a bad effect on already poor health. Constant illnesses led to the fact that Kennedy spent most of the school year in the hospital. In those moments when the boy was not sick, he tried to take an active part in the life of the sports club. In the ninth grade, John was transferred to his brother's school, here the boy began to show his rebellious character and often got into trouble. He joined the "Maker Club" which consisted of the same rebels as himself. Although Kennedy's reputation was not one of the best, he was still not expelled and they let him finish school.
The beginning of student life
In 1935, after graduating from high school, the young man decided to enter Harvard. Much to the surprise of all family members in last moment he changed his mind and went to the London School of Economics and political science. However, the young man could not study there for long due to his poor health. Returning to his native land, John entered Princeton University. However, there were some adventures here too, after a semester of study, Kennedy ended up in the hospital with a diagnosis of leukemia. Not believing such a diagnosis, the young man insisted on reviewing the tests and turned out to be right, the doctors made a mistake. Until the end of the school year, Kennedy was at the resort where he improved his health. The boy's parents insisted on his removal from the educational process. John was often sick and this created many problems in his personal life. Kennedy's attending physician began prescribing young man, novocaine, which with frequent use caused dependence. Because of another oversight by a doctor, Kennedy got an addiction that haunted him all his life.
The best years of his youth at Harvard
With the beginning of the next academic year, he again applied to Harvard University. Harvard liked young John much more than the provincial universities and schools in which he studied before. Soon the young man's father introduced him to the future pope and gradually introduced him into the world of politics. After returning to school, the young man became very interested in political science and firmly decided that he should become an active member of the social club. Kennedy's greatest pride was participating in the Spee club and publishing in the local newspaper. At the time of the announcement of the outbreak of World War II, Kennedy was relaxing at the resort and immediately returned home. He began work on his thesis The Politics of Appeasement in Munich. The commission appreciated his work, highly despite the fact that she wrote it was inept and bad. Due to the fact that this article was noticed by a journalist of a well-known newspaper, it was later printed with a circulation of 80 thousand copies, and the author himself received 40 thousand dollars of a fee.
Involvement in World War II
After the young man received higher education he wanted to go to the front, but he was refused due to frequent illnesses. Kennedy was helped by his father, who put in a good word for his son, and he was enlisted in the Washington intelligence agency of the US Navy. The young man did not stay long in the radio control department and soon transferred to a military shipyard. Soon he and the team in which he was sent on a mission. An unexpected enemy attack in the middle of the night took the entire crew by surprise. The ship the crew was on was rammed into two parts. Many died, and Kennedy suffered a serious back injury. Thanks to Kennedy's clear commands and timely response on his part, many managed to escape and reach the nearest shore. Only a week later, the young people were rescued by another boat sailing nearby. After returning home, the entire team was awarded, and Kennedy himself received several medals of honor. The award order was personally signed by Admiral William Halsey.
The beginning of a political career
Just two weeks later, John again went into battle, this time the fighter was brought home by malaria. John remembered the long days spent in the hospital for a long time, because his soul was with his comrades in battle. In 1944, the eldest son in the Kennedy family died, and all the cares and hopes of the parents moved to John's shoulders. His father prophesied a political career for him, and after John returned from a tour of Europe, he was able to arrange his passage to Parliament. Beginning in 1947, Kennedy became a congressman from the Boston district. In 1953, John married Jacqueline Lee Bouvier, with whom he had four children, two of whom died immediately after childbirth. In the same 1953, he managed to beat his rival in the race for the senator's office. Gradually, Kennedy came to the fact that in 1960 he put forward his candidacy for the presidency of the country. While still a senator, he earned many enemies among businessmen with his radical changes.
The presidency of the United States. First years of government
Kennedy proposed such a successful tactic for the development of the country that he was chosen by the majority in the first round of the race. Kennedy was to become the first Catholic president in history at just 43 years old. Kennedy immediately showed his difference from his predecessor by changing the composition of Parliament. The new president of the country took businessmen out of the political game and brought in professors, doctors and people with degree. He sent all the money he earned to various charitable foundations and led a relatively modest lifestyle. With Kennedy coming to power, the unemployment rate in the country began to decrease sharply, and the financial situation of citizens improved by 5.5 percent compared to the previous year. Unfortunately, things did not go well for long, and in 1962 a sharp collapse of stock markets and a fall in stocks began. Such a deplorable situation has not been seen since the Great Depression of 1929. To help people during a drastic job cut, the president introduced a food stamp system and trained laid-off workers. Among other things, evening schools were opened for advanced training.
Fight against racism in the USA. Establishing relations with the USSR
The main problem for Kennedy remained an acute, incorrigible system of oppression of blacks in the United States. The template for creating equal rights for blacks was Abraham Lincoln's system. The President personally met with Martin Luther King and supported him in many endeavors. In 1961, Kennedy met with Soviet President Khrushchev and tried to mend relations between the countries. In the same year, the politician had to send troops to Vietnam to resolve the conflict that had arisen. During the stay of US troops in Vietnam, the country spent about 3 billion US dollars, about 16 thousand soldiers were constantly in the enemy country. John created the "Peace Corps" which was responsible for the development of education in the Third World. Thanks to Kennedy's initiative, the Apollo program was launched. Space flights for a long time were a desirable subject for many countries, but the main race was between the USSR and the USA.
Recent projects. Assassination of the 35th President of the United States
In 1963, an agreement was signed to ban nuclear weapons tests on land, in water and in the air. At the same time, the US Committee on Armament and Disarmament of the World was created. In the same year, the development of the "Pan-European Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe" began. The main problem was the constant struggle between the USSR and the USA, which created many problems. One of the presidents most beloved by the people was killed in 1963 in Dallas while the presidential motorcade was following the streets of the city. The killer sat in ambush in the book depository and fired three shots that led to a fatal outcome. The President was immediately taken to the hospital where they tried to save his life for half an hour. The Kennedy assassin was taken to the police station where he was killed shortly before the trial. Soon, the killer of the killer was also killed by an unknown person. Investigations are still ongoing and many details of the investigation are shrouded in secrets. A huge number of inconsistencies in official version worries the people of the United States even 50 years after the death of John F. Kennedy.
- The future 35th President of the United States always had an example before his eyes - both grandfathers and John's father were once involved in politics. Although historians do not emphasize that John had all the makings of becoming the leader of a superpower, at school he did not particularly stand out either in terms of study or in terms of behavior.
- John became interested in politics thanks to ... sports. He was an active participant in school sports events from a young age. And thanks to a trip to Europe organized by his father in the summer of 1937, the future president became seriously interested in political science. In particular, the countries that made an indelible impression on him fascist regime— Italy and Germany. John titled his thesis The Politics of Appeasement in Munich.
- The puppy of the Soviet space dog Strelka - Pushinka - was presented by Nikita Khrushchev to the daughter of John Caroline. And John called Pushinka's puppies "pupniks" - combining two words Pup ("puppy" - English) and Sputnik ("satellite" - English).
- Historians claim that Kennedy had a turtle tattoo on his shoulder. But he soon got rid of her, as his wife insisted on it.
Awards:
- Medal of Victory in World War II (1945)
- Purple Heart (1945)
- Jane Addams Children's Book Award (1964)
- American Campaign Medal (1945)
The years of his reign are from 1961 to 1963, when he was assassinated. Kennedy was a participant in the war of 1939-1945, as well as a member of the Senate.
Childhood and youth
According to the local American tradition, he was called Jack. He was first elected to the Senate at the age of 43. In the history of the United States, he was the youngest president. John Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917 in small town called Brookly in a Catholic family. He was the second child in the family.
As a child, John F. Kennedy was very frail, often ill, and due to scarlet fever, he even almost died. When he grew up, many women, on the contrary, were crazy about him. When the boy was ten years old, his family moved into a twenty-room house. At school, the future president was distinguished by a rebellious spirit, and his academic performance left much to be desired. Despite the fact that John F. Kennedy Jr. was very often sick, he continued to play sports intensively.
After graduating from school, he entered the truth, stayed there for a short time due to health problems. Returning to the States, Kennedy continued his studies - now at Princeton. Soon he falls ill, and the doctors diagnose him with leukemia. Kennedy does not believe the doctors, and later they themselves admit that they made the diagnosis incorrectly.
Traveling in Europe and participating in hostilities
In 1936, John F. Kennedy returned to Harvard University. In the summer he travels European countries, which further spurs his interest in politics and international relations. Under the patronage of his father, the future president gets acquainted with the head catholic church- Pope Pius XII.
Despite poor health, Kennedy takes part in hostilities that lasted until 1945. At the front, he takes an active part in the battles, showing courage in rescuing a boat sunk by enemy troops. And after his dismissal from the armed forces, he takes up the work of a journalist.
The beginning of a political career
In 1946, John F. Kennedy is elected to the House of Congressmen. Further, the same post is occupied by him three more times. In 1960, he was first nominated for the presidency of the country, and, finally, in 1961, he became the head of the United States. Many of Kennedy's contemporaries were impressed by his decisiveness, intellect and wisdom in governing the country. For example, Kennedy managed to achieve a ban on nuclear testing. He also introduced many popular reforms and became the lover of the whole nation.
President's personal life
John Fitzgerald Kennedy was married to Jacqueline Lee Bouvier, who was 12 years his junior. Instead of flowers and sweets, Kennedy gave her books that he himself considered the most valuable. Their wedding took place in Newport. Subsequently, the Kennedy family had four children. However, the older girl and the younger boy died. Caroline's middle daughter became a writer. Son John died under tragic circumstances in a plane crash.
Also, John F. Kennedy had a large number of extramarital affairs. Among his passions was Pamela Turner, who worked as a press secretary for his wife Jacqueline. An aristocrat from Sweden, Gunilla von Post, described her relationship with the president in a book. Also the infamous Marilyn Monroe had an affair with Kennedy.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy: death
Before the upcoming elections in 1963, Kennedy begins a series of trips around the country. On November 21, 1963, his procession was on the streets of Dallas. Exactly at half past one, three shots rang out. The first bullet went through and also wounded the governor of Texas. Another of the shots hit the head and was fatal.
Five minutes later, the president was taken to the hospital. But the doctors were powerless against such wounds, and at about one o'clock the death of the president was reported. Texas Governor John Connally survived. After two hours, the police arrested the suspect in the murder - Lee Harvey Oswald, and two days later he was shot dead by Jack Ruby, whom the authorities suspected of having links with the mafia. Ruby was sentenced to death.
But, having filed an appeal, he managed to get a pardon. A date for a new trial has not yet been set, as Ruby was found oncological disease. He died in January 1967. There are many versions according to which John Fitzgerald Kennedy could have been killed. According to one of them, the massacre of the president was a response to his program to combat organized crime.
The 35th President of the United States was born on May 9, 1917. John Kennedy. His life was the dream of many Americans: good upbringing, an excellent education, a beautiful wife and a dizzying career. How could at least someone admit the thought that all this will end in one second.
Family
John, or, as he was affectionately called in the family, Jack, was the second of nine children in the family Roses Elizabeth Fitzgerald And Joseph Patrick Kennedy. The father of the future president of America knew how to make money and establish contacts, which helped him create a good fortune. Family life parents was not smooth. Rose was frankly frightened by Joseph's excessive passion for his career. The mother of the future president wanted stability for her children, especially since they were no different good health. Eldest daughter Kennedy Rosemary lagged behind mental development from his peers, and John grew up as a sickly boy. Later, when he becomes president, doctors will even have to inject painkillers before public speaking to make Kennedy Jr look healthy. To get away from family problems, Rosa Fitzgerald traveled extensively in Europe and the United States, which caused children who missed their mother to suffer greatly. Her husband, meanwhile, continued to expand the empire, while cheating on his wife. His most famous mistress was a silent film star. Gloria Swanson.
The Kennedys in a New York restaurant, November 1940. Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
However, few people knew about Kennedy's internal troubles; from the outside, they seemed like an idyllic happy family, bathed in luxury. At the height of his career, Kennedy Sr. was friendly with many influential people At that time, he was a personal adviser to US President Franklin Roosevelt. Of course, Joseph dreamed of such success for his son, but then it was not about John. All hopes in the Kennedy family were connected with the eldest son Joseph.
Harvard
From birth, Kennedy Jr. was not distinguished by good health. He was sick a lot, was in hospital more often than he was at school. Sometimes transferred to home schooling. At school, the boy was not the most diligent student, but one of the most active. Despite his poor health, John played baseball, basketball and athletics. In childhood, the future president always lived in the shadow of his older brother, who could boast of success not only in sports, but also in studies. Perhaps this was the reason that John grew up as a rebel - at school he joined the "Club Makers", whose members constantly organized all sorts of pranks.
Lieutenant John F. Kennedy in full dress, 1942 Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org
Despite his leprosy, he was loved at school. As the director of the Choate school, where John F. Kennedy studied, later recalled, the boy was incredibly charming and witty: “Jack did not like being serious. He always had a delightful sense of humor ... He was very endearing, inspired great sympathy.
Having received a secondary education, the young man decided to continue his studies at Harvard. His plans were disrupted by another disease - jaundice. John returned home and entered Princeton, studying there did not inspire him, and in August 1936 Kennedy Jr. returned to Harvard, where he tried not to miss lectures. As his father later wrote, the problem of the future president was not a lack of talent: “Jack brilliantly learns things that interest him, but he lacks the perseverance and diligence to study what is not interesting to him.”
In one of the summer holidays, Kennedy Jr. went on a trip to European countries and was greatly impressed when he saw Nazi Germany and Italy. After the trip, the young man became seriously interested in history and politics, his graduate work was called the "Policy of Appeasement in Munich". The work did not impress the Harvard professors: "Poorly written, but conscientious, interesting and reasonable analysis of a complex problem." However, Kennedy received "excellent" for his efforts and relevance. But the topic was relevant, and the father of the future president had great connections. His work was later released as a separate book and was called Why England Slept. A well-known New York Times columnist helped Kennedy Jr. to rewrite his diploma into a book Arthur Krok. The extent of his intervention is unknown, but the book sold well. It is possible that this was facilitated by the foreword of the publisher of Time, Fortune and Life magazines. Henry Luce: “I can’t think of a single person in my college who, as a fourth-year student, could write such an adult book on such a vital topic.”
War
Kennedy aboard PT-109, 1943 Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
After graduating from Harvard, John thought about the future. America was officially involved in the Second world war, and he realized that he must go to serve. Of course, poor health did not give any chance to pass a medical examination and be enlisted in the troops. But in this matter, his father's connections helped him. First, Kennedy ended up in the US Navy Intelligence Agency in Washington, then at a military shipyard in Charleston, South Carolina. He studied at the naval school and in the spring of 1943 took command of the torpedo boat PT-109. With the help of Father John, they were sent to the Pacific Ocean, where at that time there were active fighting with Japan. On August 2, 1943, during one of the night raids, an enemy destroyer rammed a torpedo boat in half. From the impact, John fell to the deck and badly injured his already injured back. Despite this, he clearly gave orders and was able to get to the shore with most of his team, and Kennedy Jr. dragged one of the wounded soldiers on himself. For the courage shown that night, John was subsequently awarded many orders and medals.
However, in December of that year, he contracted malaria and was sent home. In 1945, a few months before the end of the war, he was officially sent to the reserve.
Political career
After graduating military service, Kennedy began to work as a journalist. In August 1944, his brother Joseph, who was destined for a political career, died. His place in the eyes of Kennedy Sr. was taken by John, whom his father helped build a political career with the help of his own connections.
At the age of 29, a young man becomes a congressman from the Democratic Party. After that, he puts forward his candidacy for elections to the Senate. It was at this time in his life appears Jacqueline.
Jacqueline
Jacqueline Kennedy at the Hammersmith Farm in Newport, Rhode Island, on her wedding day, September 12, 1953. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org/Commons.wikimedia.org
The future spouses met in the spring of 1952: a 35-year-old politician and a 22-year-old newspaper journalist. Strong, handsome and very promising, John easily conquered Jacqueline. However, these relations were not romantic; the future president made an offer by telegraph. Having married, the girl immediately realized that she would never take first place in the life of her husband, he was completely absorbed in his career. In addition, John was greedy for feminine beauty and since the time of school he was not used to limiting himself in sexual contacts. The future president, without hesitation, twisted novels right and left. In most cases, Jacqueline did not pay attention to her husband's affairs. The only woman who made her fear for her marriage was the gorgeous Marilyn Monroe, who, according to historians, did not hesitate to call his legal wife and demand that she pack her things and leave the White House.
However, John F. Kennedy himself never, apparently, was going to divorce Jacqueline. Monroe was a constant, but still mistress. The official wife was an excellent screen for him, which for a long time helped to “cover up vices” in front of the electorate. And yet, despite numerous novels, outwardly this couple personified a real fairy tale and for a long time was exemplary for many Americans. Jacqueline Lee Bouvier did a very good job as the first lady.
John Kennedy with family. August 14, 1963. Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
Mr President
Kennedy took the presidency at 43, ahead of his rival Richard Nixon by just 1%. He became the youngest elected president USA ( Theodore Roosevelt, who took this position at the age of 42, was not elected, but took office after the assassination William McKinley), as well as the first Catholic in the White House. Kennedy brought with him a team as young as himself, average age associates was 45 years old. In addition, he significantly changed the ratio of economists to academics in the administration. If earlier 42% of the highest government posts were occupied by businessmen, now the figure has dropped to 6%. With the advent of Kennedy, 18% began to be occupied by professors.One of the top priorities of his administration was to end the economic downturn. However, his policy did not bring strong positive shifts: minimal wage rose slightly, measures to combat unemployment were not as effective as he would have liked.
Meeting of John F. Kennedy with Khrushchev, Vienna, June 3, 1961. Photo: commons.wikimedia.org
The foreign policy of the energetic and ambitious Kennedy proceeded in a very tense atmosphere of confrontation with the USSR. However, he was not considered a "radical anti-Soviet". The Caribbean crisis, which threatened nuclear war, kept the whole world in suspense, although in the end it became a turning point in cold war. John F. Kennedy has always advocated improving relations between both the USSR and the US, and in 1962 the countries signed the first Nuclear Test Limit Treaty.
Kennedy also advocated equal rights for blacks, did a lot for space exploration, it was from his filing that the Apollo program was launched.
One way road
Perhaps he could have done much more in his post if not for the fateful trip to Dallas. This visit was to be a preparation for the fight for re-election in 1964. While following the presidential motorcade through the streets of the city, the president was killed by several shots: the first bullet hit the back of the neck and left the front of the throat, the second - in the head and caused the destruction of the bones of the skull in the back of the head, as well as damage to the brain. After Kennedy was brought to the hospital, he lived for only half an hour.
Kennedy in the presidential limousine seconds before the assassination. Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org This tragic case was investigated by a specially convened commission headed by the chairman Supreme Court USA Earl Warren. The work was carried out for ten months, the verdict became historic. Commission says Kennedy was killed by a lone gunman Lee Harvey Oswald, who was shot dead in a police station two days after the assassination attempt by a Dallas resident Jack Ruby. The latter subsequently died in prison.
It is worth noting that the majority of Americans (according to polls - more than 70%) do not believe the official government conclusion. And there are reasons for that. There are still many blank spots in the investigation. So, having studied the recordings of conversations on the radio of the policemen of Dallas, the experts came to the conclusion that four shots could have been fired in total. Eyewitnesses claim that they were all distributed from different sides, which suggests that Oswald did not act alone. There are many versions about who could order this murder. The conspiracy theory of the mafia, the KGB, Cuban exiles and the CIA seems more plausible to Americans. However, none of these versions has been officially confirmed. Perhaps the real name of the killer of one of the most charismatic US politicians will remain a mystery.
"About the dead, either good, or nothing." It's wide famous saying does not apply to politicians. The activities of those in power are almost always posthumously subjected to scrupulous scrutiny, which very often turns into a ruthless condemnation.
But there are exceptions to any rule. Political figure who has been martyred at the hands of a murderer, receives an indulgence from his descendants: as a rule, only his virtues remain behind him, and his shortcomings go into the shadows.
President of the U.S.A Abraham Lincoln was not a popular figure among his contemporaries. Many blamed him for the bloodshed. civil war in the United States.But the shot John Booth who ended Lincoln's life, changed his attitude towards his personality. Now Abraham Lincoln is revered as one of the best presidents in American history.
John Fitzgerald Kennedy, 35th President of the United States, largely repeated the fate of Lincoln. shots Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas on November 22, 1963, which killed Kennedy, turned him from a figure of at least a controversial figure into one of the 10 best presidents in American history.
But the real John F. Kennedy had not only bright but also dark pages in his political career.
War hero, "deviator" in the Senate
Kennedy himself, a hero of the Second World War, did not rush into politics. However, the father Joseph Kennedy, the head of one of the most powerful clans in America, persuaded John to start a political career. It happened after the death of John's older brother, Joseph Kennedy Jr., whom his father initially read as political heirs.
Through the efforts of his father for John F. Kennedy, a seat in the US House of Representatives was vacated. The novice parliamentarian was not yet 30 years old.
In the early fifties, already a senator, Kennedy delivered the first dark spot on your reputation. The Senate passed a majority vote Joseph McCarthy about his leadership of the Commission on Un-American Activities. The "witch hunt" perpetrated by the McCarthyists, from which thousands of Americans suffered, caused increasing discontent in society. When the issue of censuring McCarthy was put to a vote, Kennedy evaded it. He later explained this act as follows: “The case with Joe McCarthy? I was in a losing situation. My brother worked for Joe. I was against it, I didn't want him to work for Joe, but he did. And how the hell could I stand up and condemn Joe McCarthy when my own brother was working for him? So it was not so much a matter of political duty as a personal issue."
Caribbean crisis: Kennedy stopped the catastrophe he himself provoked
In 1960, 43-year-old John F. Kennedy narrowly won Richard Nixon and became President of the United States.
In foreign policy Kennedy positioned himself as a supporter of peace and improvement of relations between the USSR and the USA, however, in practice, the world during the reign of the 35th President of the United States experienced the most acute crisis since the end of World War II.
Speaking of the Caribbean crisis, it is often repeated that it began with an adventurous decision by the Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev place Soviet missiles in Cuba.
But few people remember that this act of Khrushchev was a response to the deployment of PGM-19 Jupiter medium-range missiles with a range of 2400 km in Turkey in 1961, which directly threatened the European part of the Soviet Union, including Moscow.Kennedy believed that the deployment of missiles in Turkey was of limited strategic value, but approved it nonetheless. The escalation of the conflict very quickly brought the US and the USSR to the brink of nuclear war.
But at the peak of the crisis, in October 1962, Kennedy showed himself with the best side. Contrary to the opinion of most American military leaders, who called for an immediate invasion of Cuba, the president continued negotiations with Khrushchev and managed to reach an agreement. The USSR removed the missiles from Cuba, and a few months later the United States withdrew the Jupiter missiles from Turkey.
Cuban failure
The "Cuban problem" during the reign of John F. Kennedy was one of the most difficult for the United States. Having failed to establish relations with the revolutionary government Fidel Castro, Washington began preparations for an operation to overthrow him. Intentions arose even before John F. Kennedy came to power, but the new president, having familiarized himself with the operation plan, approved it in early 1961.
Operation Zapata, carried out in April 1961 in the Bay of Pigs by forces of Cuban emigrants armed and trained by American instructors, ended in their complete defeat. The failure of the Bay of Pigs operation was one of the biggest foreign policy failures of the John F. Kennedy era.
War and Peace
Speaking of the Vietnam War, Kennedy's name is rarely mentioned because a full-scale military intervention american army started later. However, it was on the orders of John F. Kennedy that the first regular units were sent to South Vietnam. armed forces USA. Under Kennedy, the number of American soldiers and officers in South Vietnam reached 16,000, and the total cost of the war surpassed $3 billion.
At the same time, it cannot be said that Kennedy's desire for a sustainable world was only declarative. Under him, a system of treaties began to be laid, designed to protect the world from a nuclear threat.
On August 5, 1963, an agreement was signed by representatives of the USSR, the USA and Great Britain on the prohibition of nuclear weapons tests in three areas: in the air, on land and under water.
Kennedy provided the moon landing for America
The beginning of the presidency of John F. Kennedy was marked by a sensitive defeat for the United States in the "space race". America, having lost the battle for the first satellite, learned on April 12, 1961 that the first man in space was a Soviet pilot Yuri Gagarin.
In May 1961, John F. Kennedy in his speech formulated the task: before the end of the decade, Americans should make a manned flight to the moon, ahead of Soviet Union. To solve this problem, the Apollo program was launched. The program was expected to spend $5 billion over the first five years.
In reality, the total cost of the Apollo program was $25 billion in 1969 dollars, or—adjusted for inflation—$136 billion in early 21st century prices.
Kennedy did not live to see the American landing on the moon, but the victory of the United States in the “moon race” is largely due to his merit.
Civil rights for all
By the time John F. Kennedy came to the presidency, the racial problem in the United States was extremely acute. Any attempt to expand the rights of blacks was met with hostility by conservatives.
Kennedy was a supporter of the complete destruction of racial division. On June 19, 1963, he introduced a civil rights bill to Congress that would prohibit segregation in all in public places. The document was adopted after the death of the president. Successor Kennedy Lyndon Johnson In 1964, he secured the passage of the Civil Rights Act, which outlawed segregation throughout the United States.
The shadow of the mafia behind the back of the president
Throughout political career John F. Kennedy, a shadow of suspicion of mafia ties hung over him. In business contacts with the leaders of organized crime, John's father, Joseph Kennedy, was suspected, who allegedly collaborated with them back in the days of Prohibition. At the same time, Joseph allegedly convinced the "godfathers" to invest in his son's presidential campaign.
Kennedy had a reputation as a playboy who had numerous mistresses. One of them is called Judith Campbell Exner. In addition to the president, Judith was close to mob bosses. Sam Giancana And John Roselli. According to this version, Judith was a kind of "agent of influence" of the mafia under the president.
The American mafia controlled the gambling business, as well as prostitution and other illegal activities of Liberty Island before the Cuban Revolution. The Fidel Castro regime put an end to this, and the "godfathers" were interested in invading Cuba. Mafiosi believed that Kennedy was indebted to them for their help in the election campaign.
Kennedy's refusal to use force in Cuba after the failure of the landing in the Bay of Pigs caused extreme discontent among the bosses of the criminal world. In addition, Kennedy launched a campaign against organized crime.
According to the popular version, the mafia, disappointed with the actions of John F. Kennedy, whom they considered "their own man", took part in a conspiracy against the US president, which ended in his assassination.
Marilyn Monroe's last secret
We've already talked about JFK's reputation as a hero-lover. Such fame does not strengthen the position of a politician in the United States even now, and in the sixties it could lead to the destruction of an entire career. Of course, if the suspicions were backed up by facts.
May 19, 1962 at a gala concert in honor of the 45th anniversary of John F. Kennedy, the actress Marilyn Monroe sang the congratulatory song "Happy Birthday". The congratulation turned into a scandal: the song was performed in such a provocative manner that there was practically no doubt about the existence of an intimate relationship between the president and the Hollywood diva.Less than three months later, the actress was found dead in own house. According to the official version, the cause was an overdose of sleeping pills.
According to another widespread version, Marilyn Monroe was the mistress of not only John F. Kennedy, but also his brother Robert, who served as US Attorney General. The actress was unwittingly initiated into a number of secrets of the Kennedy clan, which were not subject to publicity. At some point, tired of such a life, Monroe began to threaten her lovers by talking publicly about the relationship. The story of the scandalous congratulations showed that Marilyn could go very far.
There is no evidence of the involvement of John and Robert Kennedy in the death of Marilyn Monroe, but suspicions have not been dispelled to this day.
"I never called myself perfect"
In 1960, John F. Kennedy remarked, “I never called myself perfect. I met the politician's usual rate of error."
During his presidency, Kennedy added to his collection of mistakes, one of which may have been fatal to himself. But at the moment when the world was on the brink of the abyss in 1962, John F. Kennedy escaped the most terrible mistake. And this "plus" really outweighs everything else.
