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John F. Kennedy

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description John F. Kennedy Overview

John F. Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States, serving from January 1961 until his assassination in November 1963. A Democrat and former senator from Massachusetts, he led the country during the Bay of Pigs invasion, the construction of the Berlin Wall, and the Cuban Missile Crisis. His administration supported the early expansion of the space program and proposed civil-rights legislation that was enacted after his death.

help John F. Kennedy FAQ

When did John F. Kennedy serve as president?

Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States, serving from his inauguration on January 20, 1961, until his assassination on November 22, 1963. Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson became president the same day. [National Archives](https://www.archives.gov/research/jfk/warren-commission-report/foreword.html)

What happened during the Bay of Pigs invasion?

About 1,400 Cuban exiles landed at the Bay of Pigs on April 17, 1961, in a CIA-backed attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro. The invasion failed, becoming an early foreign-policy crisis for Kennedy's administration. [JFK Library](https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/the-cold-war)

How long did the Cuban Missile Crisis last?

The crisis lasted 13 days in October 1962 and brought the United States and the Soviet Union close to nuclear war. The confrontation ended after the Soviet Union agreed to remove its missiles from Cuba. [JFK Library](https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/cuban-missile-crisis)

What was John F. Kennedy's connection to PT-109?

Kennedy commanded the patrol torpedo boat PT-109 in the South Pacific during World War II. A Japanese destroyer called Amagiri rammed the boat in August 1943, and Kennedy helped lead the surviving crew to safety. [JFK Library](https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/jfk-in-history/john-f-kennedy-and-pt-109)