John F. Kennedy. , Democrat, President: January 1961- November 1963 My fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man. - John F. Kennedy (Kennedy, John F. "Inaugural Address of John F. Kennedy.") Personal Life: Born in Massachusetts in 1917, John F. Kennedy grew up one of nine children in an irish catholic family. The nine Kennedy kids remained a close knit group and as one of the eldests sons, JFK was admired by his younger siblings. Unfortunately, throughout his childhood Kennedy struggled with numerous severe even life threatening illnesses. When he was ill, he would take to books to escape. JFK’s father, Joseph P. Kennedy was very successful. In addition to a business career, he spent three years as the U.S. ambassador to Great Britain. The rest of his time he spent breeding his kids to become members of high society and the political world. For instance, he gave JFK the opportunity to take time off college at Harvard and work with him abroad. While not in the presence of his father, JFK was known to be a charmer and a jokester among his peers. Eventually Kennedy …show more content…
Difficulties over segregation and discrimination exist in every city, in every State of the Union, producing in many cities a rising tide of discontent that threatens the public safety. Nor is this a partisan issue. In a time of domestic crisis men of goodwill and generosity should be able to unite regardless of party or politics. This is not even a legal or legislative issue alone. It is better to settle these matters in the courts than on the streets, and new laws are needed at every level, but law alone cannot make men see right.” -John F. Kennedy, Importu speech on civil rights after University of Alabama desegregation efforts (Kennedy, John F. "Report to the American People on Civil