Rise to Success: Career Highlights of John F. Kennedy
How John F. Kennedy built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
John F. Kennedy (JFK) was the 35th U.S. President, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. As the first Roman Catholic and youngest elected president at 43, his presidency occurred during the peak of the Cold War. His foreign policy heavily focused on relations with the Soviet Union and Cuba. Prior to becoming president, Kennedy, a Democrat, represented Massachusetts in both the House and Senate.
July 1938: Worked at the American Embassy in London
In July 1938, Kennedy sailed overseas to work at the American embassy in London, where his father was the ambassador.
September 24, 1941: Joined the United States Naval Reserve
On September 24, 1941, Kennedy joined the United States Naval Reserve.
October 26, 1941: Commissioned as Ensign
On October 26, 1941, Kennedy was commissioned an ensign and joined the ONI staff in Washington, D.C.
January 1942: Assigned to ONI field office
In January 1942, Kennedy was assigned to the ONI field office in Charleston, South Carolina.
December 7, 1942: First command PT-101
From December 7, 1942, Kennedy's first command was PT-101.
February 23, 1943: End of PT-101 Command
On February 23, 1943, Kennedy's command of PT-101 ended.
April 1943: Took command of PT-109
In April 1943, Kennedy took command of PT-109, then based on Tulagi Island in the Solomons.
December 1943: Kennedy left the Pacific front
In December 1943, with his health deteriorating, Kennedy left the Pacific front.
December 1944: Kennedy was released from active duty
From May to December 1944, Kennedy received treatment for his back injury at the Chelsea Naval Hospital in Massachusetts, after which he was released from active duty in December 1944.
March 1, 1945: Kennedy retired from the Navy Reserve
On March 1, 1945, Kennedy retired from the Navy Reserve due to a physical disability. He was honorably discharged with the full rank of lieutenant.
April 1945: Kennedy becomes special correspondent for Hearst Newspapers
In April 1945, Kennedy's father arranged a position for his son as a special correspondent for Hearst Newspapers.
1946: Kennedy active in Boston Council
From 1946 to 1955, Kennedy was active in the Boston Council as district vice chairman, member of the executive board, vice-president, and National Council Representative.
1946: Kennedy Defeats Republican Opponent in General Election
In 1946, Kennedy defeated his Republican opponent in the general election, taking 73 percent of the vote.
1946: Kennedy wins Democratic primary
In 1946, U.S. Representative James Michael Curley vacated his seat, and Kennedy won the Democratic primary for the 11th congressional district of Massachusetts with 42 percent of the vote.
1946: John Kennedy becomes family's political standard-bearer
In 1946, after the death of his elder brother Joe Jr., John Kennedy took on the responsibility as the family's political standard-bearer.
November 1947: Kennedy supports aid package to Italy
In November 1947, Kennedy delivered a speech supporting a $227 million aid package to Italy.
1947: Kennedy voted against the Taft-Hartley Act
Although Kennedy's and Lodge's legislative records were similarly liberal, Lodge voted for the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947 and Kennedy voted against it.
1947: Representative in U.S. House of Representatives
From 1947, Kennedy represented a working-class Boston district in the U.S. House of Representatives.
1947: Kennedy opposes the Labor Management Relations Act
Kennedy opposed the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947, which restricted the power of labor unions.
January 30, 1949: Kennedy denounces Truman for the "loss of China"
On January 30, 1949, Kennedy denounced Truman and the State Department for contributing to the "tragic story of China whose freedom we once fought to preserve.
1949: Kennedy prepares to run for the Senate
In 1949, Kennedy began preparing to run for the Senate in 1952 against Republican three-term incumbent Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. with the campaign slogan "KENNEDY WILL DO MORE FOR MASSACHUSETTS".
1952: Kennedy defeated Lodge for Senate seat
In 1952, Kennedy narrowly defeated Lodge by 70,000 votes for the Senate seat.
1952: Kennedy supports the Immigration and Nationality Act
In 1952, Kennedy supported the Immigration and Nationality Act, which required communists to register with the government, and he deplored the "loss of China".
May 1953: Kennedy introduced "The Economic Problems of New England"
In May 1953, Kennedy introduced "The Economic Problems of New England", a 36-point program to help Massachusetts industries such as fishing, textile manufacturing, watchmaking, and shipbuilding, as well as the Boston seaport.
1953: Elected to the U.S. Senate
In 1953, Kennedy was elected to the U.S. Senate, serving as the junior senator for Massachusetts.
1953: Kennedy responsive to constituent requests
In 1953, Kennedy was known for his responsiveness to requests from constituents, for example, co-sponsoring legislation to provide federal loans to help rebuild communities damaged by the Worcester tornado.
1954: Kennedy voted in favor of the Saint Lawrence Seaway
In 1954, Kennedy voted in favor of the Saint Lawrence Seaway which would connect the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, despite opposition from Massachusetts politicians who argued that the project would hurt the Port of Boston economically.
1954: Kennedy did not vote on the censure of Joseph McCarthy
In 1954, Kennedy was the only Democrat who did not cast a vote on the censure of Joseph McCarthy. He was hospitalized for back surgery at the time.
1955: Kennedy ends activity in Boston Council
From 1946 to 1955, Kennedy was active in the Boston Council as district vice chairman, member of the executive board, vice-president, and National Council Representative.
1956: Kennedy publishes "Profiles in Courage"
During his convalescence in 1956, Kennedy published "Profiles in Courage", a book about U.S. senators who risked their careers for their personal beliefs.
1956: Kennedy's failure to vote against McCarthy damaged his reputation
In 1954, Kennedy was the only Democrat who did not cast a vote on the censure of Joseph McCarthy. Although he was hospitalized for back surgery at the time, the episode damaged his support among members of the liberal community in the 1956 elections.
1956: Kennedy delivers state delegation to Stevenson
In 1956, Kennedy gained control of the Massachusetts Democratic Party, and delivered the state delegation to the party's presidential nominee, Adlai Stevenson II, at the Democratic National Convention in August. Kennedy finished second in the balloting, losing to Senator Estes Kefauver of Tennessee, but receiving national exposure.
September 1957: Final compromise bill passed.
In September 1957, a final compromise bill, which Kennedy supported, was passed.
1957: Kennedy joins the Senate's Select Committee on Labor Rackets
In 1957, Kennedy joined the Senate's Select Committee on Labor Rackets (also known as the McClellan Committee) with his brother Robert, who was chief counsel, to investigate racketeering in labor-management relations.
1958: Kennedy publishes article honoring "Three Women of Courage"
In 1958, Kennedy published an article in the women's magazine McCall's that honored "Three Women of Courage," by adding Jeannette Rankin, Anne Hutchinson, and Prudence Crandall to his Hall of Fame.
September 3, 1959: Kennedy co-sponsored Cape Cod National Seashore bill
On September 3, 1959, Kennedy co-sponsored the Cape Cod National Seashore bill with his Republican colleague Senator Leverett Saltonstall.
1959: Kennedy introduces amendment to National Defense Education Act
In 1959, Kennedy also introduced an amendment to the National Defense Education Act in 1959 to eliminate the requirement that aid recipients sign a loyalty oath and provide supporting affidavits.
1960: Kennedy's civil rights support during the 1960 campaign
During the 1960 presidential campaign, Kennedy verbally supported civil rights and secured Martin Luther King Jr.'s release from jail, which boosted his support among Black voters.
1960: Kennedy's failure to vote against McCarthy damaged his reputation
In 1954, Kennedy was the only Democrat who did not cast a vote on the censure of Joseph McCarthy. Although he was hospitalized for back surgery at the time, the episode damaged his support among members of the liberal community in the 1960 elections.
1960: Elected as President
In 1960, Kennedy was elected president of the United States, narrowly defeating Richard Nixon.
1960: Kennedy's Victory in the 1960 Election
Kennedy had a small margin of victory in the 1960 election which hindered the passage of New Frontier policies.
1960: Stock market decline after Kennedy's election
The stock market, which had been declining since Kennedy's election in 1960, dropped 10% after his administration's action on the steel industry.
March 6, 1961: Executive Order 10925
On March 6, 1961, Kennedy signed Executive Order 10925, mandating affirmative action by government contractors to ensure equal employment opportunities regardless of race, creed, color, or national origin and established the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity.
March 1961: Kennedy Changes Policy on Laos
In March 1961, Kennedy shifted policy from supporting a "free" Laos to a "neutral" Laos and privately designated Vietnam as America's tripwire against communism's spread in the area. He approved CIA activities, including bombing raids and the recruitment of the Hmong people, to combat Communist insurgents.
April 1961: Soviet Cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin's Space Flight
In April 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person to fly in space, which reinforced American fears about being left behind by the Soviet Union.
May 1961: Alliance for Progress Initial Grant
In May 1961, Congress approved an initial grant of $500 million for the Alliance for Progress in response to Kennedy's request to contain communism in Latin America.
June 1961: Vienna Summit Meeting
In their Vienna summit meeting in June 1961, Khrushchev and Kennedy reached an informal understanding against nuclear testing, but the Soviet Union began testing nuclear weapons that September.
August 1961: Berlin Wall and U.S. Support
In August 1961, after East German troops erected the Berlin Wall, Kennedy sent an army convoy to reassure West Berliners of U.S. support.
December 1961: Iraq Passes Public Law 80
In December 1961, Abd al-Karim Qasim's Iraqi government passed Public Law 80, restricting the Iraq Petroleum Company (IPC)'s concessionary holding, effectively expropriating 99.5% of the IPC concession.
December 1961: Creation of the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women
In December 1961, President Kennedy signed an executive order to create the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women, aimed at advising him on issues concerning women's status.
1961: Economic expansion during Kennedy's presidency begins
From early 1961, the GDP expanded by an average of 5.5%, inflation remained around 1%, and unemployment eased during Kennedy's presidency.
1961: Kennedy Becomes President
In 1961, John F. Kennedy began his term as the 35th President of the United States.
1961: Kennedy's Relationship with the Media
In 1961, Kennedy asked for presidential press conferences to be broadcast live and the Radio-Television News Directors Association presented Kennedy with its highest honor, the Paul White Award, in recognition of his open relationship with the media.
1961: Kennedy Escalates Involvement in Vietnam
In 1961, Kennedy escalated American involvement in Vietnam by financing the South Vietnam army, increasing the number of U.S. military advisors, and authorizing U.S. helicopter units to provide support to South Vietnamese forces.
1961: Kennedy's legislative agenda and successes
In 1961, Kennedy focused on passing five key bills: federal education assistance, medical insurance for the elderly, housing legislation, aid to struggling areas, and a minimum wage increase. The minimum wage bill increasing it to $1.25/hour passed but exempted laundry workers. He also secured passage of the Area Redevelopment Act and the Housing Act of 1961, but faced defeat for his education and health insurance bills.
1961: Kennedy's first budget leads to a deficit
In 1961, Kennedy's first budget resulted in the nation's first non-war, non-recession deficit.
1961: Kennedy Administration Focus on Organized Crime
In 1961, the Kennedy administration, under the attorney general's leadership, shifted the focus of the Justice Department, FBI, and IRS to organized crime. Kennedy also secured congressional approval for five bills, including the Federal Wire Act of 1961, to crack down on interstate racketeering, gambling, and firearms transportation.
March 22, 1962: Abolition of mandatory death penalty in D.C.
On March 22, 1962, President Kennedy signed into law a bill abolishing the mandatory death penalty for first-degree murder in the District of Columbia, which was the last jurisdiction in the United States with such a penalty.
April 1962: Kennedy confronts U.S. Steel over price increases
In April 1962, Kennedy responded to U.S. Steel's price increase by initiating a price-fixing investigation and pressuring other steel companies to rescind their increases, ultimately leading U.S. Steel to also reverse its decision.
April 1962: State Department Issues Guidelines on Iraq
In April 1962, the State Department issued new guidelines on Iraq intended to increase American influence. Kennedy instructed the CIA to begin preparations for a military coup against Qasim.
September 12, 1962: Kennedy's Speech Promoting Space Effort
On September 12, 1962, Kennedy delivered a speech promoting the space effort, following the reorganization of NASA and the construction of new centers.
November 20, 1962: Executive Order 11063
On November 20, 1962, Kennedy signed Executive Order 11063, prohibiting racial discrimination in federally supported housing.
November 21, 1962: Kennedy Explains Importance of Moon Shot
On November 21, 1962, in a cabinet meeting, Kennedy explained that the Moon shot was important for reasons of international prestige and justified the expense.
1962: Passage of the Trade Expansion Act
In 1962, Congress passed the Trade Expansion Act with broad support. The Act authorized the president to negotiate tariff reductions with the European Common Market.
1962: Kennedy's Supreme Court Appointments
In 1962, Kennedy appointed justices Byron White and Arthur Goldberg to the Supreme Court, along with 21 judges to the United States Courts of Appeals, and 102 judges to the United States district courts.
1962: Kennedy's first budget to top $100 billion
In 1962, Kennedy presided over the first government budget to exceed $100 billion.
1962: Approval of the Manpower Development and Training Act
In 1962, Kennedy secured approval for the Manpower Development and Training Act, a three-year program aimed at retraining workers displaced by new technology, but its impact was minimal.
January 1963: Kennedy proposed a tax cut
In January 1963, Kennedy proposed a Keynesian-style tax cut. The proposed tax cut would reduce the top marginal tax rate from 91 to 65 percent, and lower the corporate tax rate from 52 to 47 percent. The plan included reforms designed to reduce the impact of itemized deductions, as well as provisions to help the elderly and handicapped.
February 8, 1963: Overthrow and Execution of Qasim
On February 8, 1963, the anti-imperialist and anti-communist Iraqi Ba'ath Party overthrew and executed Qasim in a violent coup. The Kennedy administration was pleased with the outcome and ultimately approved a $55-million arms deal for Iraq.
June 10, 1963: American University Commencement Address
On June 10, 1963, Kennedy delivered the commencement address at American University, also known as "A Strategy of Peace", outlining a plan to curb nuclear arms and a route for world peace. Kennedy also announced that the Soviets had expressed a desire to negotiate a nuclear test ban treaty, and that the U.S. had postponed planned atmospheric tests.
June 11, 1963: Kennedy intervenes in University of Alabama integration
On June 11, 1963, Kennedy intervened when Governor George Wallace blocked the University of Alabama entrance to prevent two Black students from attending, and later that evening, Kennedy delivered his Report to the American People on Civil Rights speech on national television and radio.
June 1963: Speech in West Berlin
In June 1963, Kennedy delivered one of his most famous speeches in West Berlin.
June 1963: Civil rights speech
In June 1963, Kennedy gave a speech for civil rights legislation—to provide equal access to public schools and other facilities, and greater protection of voting rights.
June 1963: Kennedy's Visit to West Germany and West Berlin
In June 1963, Kennedy traveled to West Germany and West Berlin. On June 26, Kennedy toured West Berlin, culminating in a public speech at the city hall. Kennedy reiterated the American commitment to Germany and criticized communism and used the construction of the Berlin Wall as an example of the failures of communism: "Freedom has many difficulties, and democracy is not perfect. But we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in, to prevent them from leaving us." The speech included the famous phrase "Ich bin ein Berliner".
July 1963: Negotiations for a Treaty with the Soviets
In July 1963, Kennedy sent W. Averell Harriman to Moscow to negotiate a treaty with the Soviets. Introductory sessions included Khrushchev, who later delegated Soviet representation to Andrei Gromyko.
August 1963: Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. Replaces Frederick Nolting
In August 1963, Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. replaced Frederick Nolting as the U.S. ambassador to South Vietnam, and reported that several South Vietnamese generals sought U.S. assent to their plan of removing Diem from power.
September 1963: Reevaluation of Policies in South Vietnam
In the aftermath of the aborted coup in September 1963, the Kennedy administration reevaluated its policies in South Vietnam, rejecting both full-scale deployment of ground soldiers and total withdrawal of U.S. forces.
September 23, 1963: Senate Approves Limited Test Ban Treaty
On September 23, 1963, the U.S. Senate approved a limited treaty prohibiting atomic testing on the ground, in the atmosphere, or underwater, but not underground.
October 7, 1963: Kennedy Signs Limited Test Ban Treaty
On October 7, 1963, Kennedy signed the limited treaty prohibiting atomic testing on the ground, in the atmosphere, or underwater, but not underground.
October 11, 1963: Kennedy Orders Withdrawal of Military Personnel
On October 11, 1963, Kennedy signed NSAM 263, ordering the withdrawal of 1,000 military personnel by the end of the year.
October 1963: Issuance of the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women's final report
In October 1963, the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women issued its final report, documenting legal and cultural discrimination against women in America and recommending policy changes.
November 1963: American Military Personnel in South Vietnam
By November 1963, there were 16,000 American military personnel in South Vietnam, up from Eisenhower's 900 advisors; more than one hundred Americans had been killed in action and no final policy decision was made.
1963: Continued economic prosperity
By late 1963, during Kennedy's presidency, industrial production had risen by 15% and motor vehicle sales increased by 40%, reflecting continued economic prosperity.
1963: Germany's Vulnerability and Franco-German Cooperation
In 1963, Germany was vulnerable due to Soviet aggression and the impending retirement of West German Chancellor Adenauer, while French President Charles de Gaulle was building a Franco-West German counterweight to American and Soviet influence, which Kennedy viewed as directed against NATO.
1963: Passage of the Community Mental Health Act
In 1963, prompted by his sister Eunice, Kennedy made intellectual disabilities a priority, leading to Congress passing the Community Mental Health Act, providing funding for local mental health centers and research facilities.
1963: Vietnam as a Secondary Issue
Throughout his tenure, Vietnam remained a secondary issue for the Kennedy administration until 1963.
July 2, 1964: Civil Rights Act becomes law
On July 2, 1964, the guarantees Kennedy proposed in his June 1963 speech became federal law, when President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act.
1964: Enactment of Civil Rights Act
After Kennedy's death, in 1964, Congress enacted many of his proposals, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
1964: Re-election considerations
In 1964, Kennedy needed the support of conservative Southern Democrats to support his reelection.
1965: Potential End of US Military Objective
By the end of 1965 the majority of the U.S. military objective could be completed and a continued presence of U.S. training personnel in more limited numbers could be necessary if the insurgency was not suppressed.
June 30, 1967: Conclusion of the Kennedy Round of GATT negotiations
On June 30, 1967, the Kennedy Round of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade negotiations concluded. This round was enabled by the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 and concluded on the last day before the Act's expiration.
July 20, 1969: Apollo 11 Moon Landing
On July 20, 1969, almost six years after Kennedy's death, Apollo 11 landed the first crewed spacecraft on the Moon.
1970: Goal of landing a man on the Moon
Kennedy administration wanted to achieve the Apollo program's goal of landing a man on the Moon before 1970
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