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. The youngest person elected president, he led the nation during the Cold War, focusing his foreign policy on relations with the Soviet Union and Cuba. A Democrat, Kennedy previously represented Massachusetts in both the House and Senate.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1940: Completion of Thesis and Publication of "Why England Slept"

In 1940, Kennedy completed his thesis, "Appeasement in Munich", which was then published on July 24 under the title Why England Slept by John F. Kennedy. The book became a bestseller.

Why England Slept by John F. Kennedy

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September 24, 1941: Joined United States Naval Reserve

On September 24, 1941, Kennedy joined the United States Naval Reserve with the help of Alan Kirk, director of the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI).

October 26, 1941: Commissioned as an Ensign

On October 26, 1941, Kennedy was commissioned as 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 at Headquarters, Sixth Naval District, in Charleston, South Carolina.

December 7, 1942: First Command of PT-101

On 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: Assigned to Motor Torpedo Squadron TWO and took command of PT-109

In April 1943, Kennedy was assigned to Motor Torpedo Squadron TWO. On April 24, 1943 he took command of PT-109, then based on Tulagi Island in the Solomons.

March 1, 1945: Retirement from the Navy Reserve

On March 1, 1945, Kennedy retired from the Navy Reserve due to a physical disability and was honorably discharged with the full rank of lieutenant.

April 1945: Special Correspondent for Hearst Newspapers

In April 1945, Kennedy's father arranged a position for him as a special correspondent for Hearst Newspapers, exposing him to journalism as a possible career.

1946: Active in the Boston Council of Boy Scouts

From 1946, Kennedy was active in the Boston Council of Boy Scouts, serving as district vice chairman, member of the executive board, vice-president, and National Council Representative.

1946: Consideration for Lieutenant Governor

In 1946, Boston mayor Maurice J. Tobin discussed the possibility of John Kennedy becoming his running mate as a candidate for Massachusetts lieutenant governor.

1946: Election to the House of Representatives

In 1946, Kennedy defeated his Republican opponent in the general election, taking 73 percent of the vote and winning a seat in the House of Representatives.

1946: Congressional Campaign

In 1946, U.S. Representative James Michael Curley vacated his seat, and Kennedy established legal residency to run for the seat, winning the Democratic primary with 42 percent of the vote.

November 1947: Speech Supporting Aid Package to Italy

In November 1947, Kennedy delivered a speech supporting a $227 million aid package to Italy, emphasizing the danger from the 'onslaught of the communist minority'.

1947: Opposition to the Labor Management Relations Act

In 1947, Kennedy opposed the Labor Management Relations Act, which restricted the power of labor unions.

1947: Election to the U.S. House of Representatives

In 1947, Kennedy was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing a Boston district.

1947: Lodge Voted for the Taft-Hartley Act

In 1947, Lodge voted for the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947.

1947: Aftermath of Taft-Hartley Act

The bill Kennedy introduced in 1958 to prevent the expenditure of union dues for improper purposes or private gain; to forbid loans from union funds for illicit transactions; and to compel audits of unions, which would ensure against false financial reports was the first major labor relations bill to pass either house since the Taft–Hartley Act of 1947.

January 30, 1949: Speech denouncing Truman

On January 30, 1949, Kennedy denounced President Truman and the State Department during a speech in Salem, Massachusetts, for contributing to the 'tragic story of China'.

1949: Preparation for Senate Run

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".

1950: Support for the Internal Security Act

In 1950, Kennedy supported the Internal Security Act, which required communists to register with the government.

1952: Election to the Senate

In 1952, Kennedy narrowly defeated Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. by 70,000 votes for the Senate seat. The following year, he married Jacqueline Bouvier.

May 1953: Introduction of '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: Response to Worcester Tornado

In 1953, Kennedy co-sponsored legislation to provide federal loans to help rebuild communities damaged by the Worcester tornado.

1953: Election to the U.S. Senate

In 1953, Kennedy was elected to the U.S. Senate, serving as the junior senator for Massachusetts.

1954: Vote in favor of the Saint Lawrence Seaway

In 1954, Kennedy voted in favor of the Saint Lawrence Seaway, despite opposition from Massachusetts politicians.

1954: Abstention from McCarthy Censure Vote

In 1954, Kennedy was the only Democrat not to cast a vote against Joseph McCarthy's censure due to hospitalization, damaging his support among liberals.

1956: Publication of 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: Influence in Massachusetts Democratic Party

In 1956, Kennedy gained control of the Massachusetts Democratic Party and delivered the state delegation to Adlai Stevenson II.

1956: Impact of abstention on 1956 election

Kennedy's abstention from the vote to censure Joseph McCarthy in 1954 damaged his support among members of the liberal community in the 1956 elections.

1956: Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Concept

The nuclear test ban treaty, which Kennedy and Khrushchev agreed to negotiate, was originally conceived in Adlai Stevenson's 1956 presidential campaign.

September 1957: Vote on Civil Rights Act

In September 1957, Kennedy cast a procedural vote against President Eisenhower's bill for the Civil Rights Act, later voting for Title III and the 'Jury Trial Amendment', which were seen as weakening the Act.

1957: Joined Senate's Select Committee on Labor Rackets

In 1957, Kennedy joined the Senate's Select Committee on Labor Rackets with his brother Robert, investigating racketeering in labor-management relations, leading to dramatic arguments with labor leaders like Jimmy Hoffa.

1957: Death Penalty Not Applied in D.C.

In 1957, the death penalty was not applied in D.C. and has now been abolished.

1958: Joined Senate's Foreign Relations Committee

In 1958, Kennedy joined the Senate's Foreign Relations Committee and supported Algeria's effort to gain independence from France.

1958: Re-election to the Senate

In 1958, Kennedy was re-elected to the Senate, defeating Republican opponent Vincent J. Celeste with a significant margin, marking the largest winning margin in Massachusetts politics history.

1958: Construction of Yankee Rowe Nuclear Power Station

In 1958, construction began on the Yankee Rowe Nuclear Power Station in Rowe, Massachusetts, a project supported by Kennedy.

September 3, 1959: Co-sponsorship of Cape Cod National Seashore Bill

On September 3, 1959, Kennedy co-sponsored the Cape Cod National Seashore bill with Senator Leverett Saltonstall.

1959: Bill to Eliminate Loyalty Oaths

In 1959, Kennedy introduced a controversial bill to eliminate loyalty oaths and affidavits from aid recipients under the National Defense Education Act of 1958.

January 2, 1960: Announcement of Candidacy for President

On January 2, 1960, Kennedy officially announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination, facing challenges related to his age and experience, but gaining supporters through his charisma.

1960: Start of Decolonization

Between 1960 and 1963, the decolonization process continued, with twenty-four countries gaining independence. Kennedy aimed to engage with the "Third World" leaders, expanding economic aid and appointing knowledgeable ambassadors.

1960: Kennedy Supports Civil Rights During Presidential Campaign

During his 1960 presidential campaign, Kennedy verbally supported civil rights. He telephoned Coretta Scott King, wife of Martin Luther King Jr., and Robert Kennedy secured King's release from prison, which garnered additional Black support for Kennedy's candidacy.

1960: Kennedy Endorses Equal Pay

During the 1960 presidential campaign, John F. Kennedy endorsed the concept of equal pay for equal work.

1960: Presidential Election Victory

In 1960, Kennedy ran in the presidential election, narrowly defeating Richard Nixon to become president.

1960: Building Support for Presidential Campaign

In 1960, Kennedy traveled extensively to build support for his presidential campaign, employing a strategy to win primaries and demonstrate electability, proving a Catholic could win popular support.

1960: Preparing for Presidential Run

In 1960, after his re-election, Kennedy began preparing to run for president by traveling throughout the U.S. to build his candidacy.

1960: Impact of abstention on 1960 election

Kennedy's abstention from the vote to censure Joseph McCarthy in 1954 damaged his support among members of the liberal community in the 1960 elections.

1960: 1960 Election

Kennedy's small margin of victory in the 1960 election, his lack of deep connections to influential members of Congress, and his administration's focus on foreign policy hindered the passage of New Frontier policies.

January 20, 1961: Inauguration as 35th President

On January 20, 1961, Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th President of the United States, delivering his inaugural address which called for civic action and global cooperation against tyranny, poverty, disease, and war.

March 6, 1961: Kennedy Signs 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. The Executive Order established the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity.

March 1961: Policy shift on Laos

In March 1961, Kennedy changed U.S. policy from supporting a "free" Laos to a "neutral" Laos, and approved CIA activities to combat Communist insurgents through bombing raids and recruitment of the Hmong people.

April 1961: First Human in Space

In April 1961, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first person to fly in space, reinforcing 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, which aimed to contain communism in Latin America by providing aid and promoting human rights standards.

May 1961: Kennedy Responds to Freedom Riders' Violence

In May 1961, following mob violence against the integrated Freedom Riders, Kennedy assigned federal marshals to protect them. The Congress of Racial Equality, led by James Farmer, organized Freedom Rides.

June 1961: Vienna Summit Meeting

In June 1961, during their Vienna summit meeting, Khrushchev and Kennedy reached an informal understanding against nuclear testing.

September 1961: Interstate Commerce Commission Rules in Favor of Justice Department Petition

In September 1961, the Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) ruled in favor of the Justice Department's petition to adhere to federal law regarding segregation on interstate transportation.

December 1961: Creation of Presidential Commission on the Status of Women

In December 1961, John F. Kennedy signed an executive order creating the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women, which was led by Eleanor Roosevelt.

1961: Economic Expansion Begins Under Kennedy

From early 1961, the GDP expanded by an average of 5.5% during Kennedy's presidency, with steady inflation and eased unemployment.

1961: Adoption of Flexible Response Defense Strategy

In 1961, Kennedy adopted the flexible response defense strategy, emphasizing multiple options for responding to the Soviet Union and discouraging massive retaliation to address the Cold War tensions.

1961: Escalation of 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 support South Vietnamese forces.

1961: Creation of the Peace Corps

In 1961, Kennedy initiated the Peace Corps with Executive Order 10924, appointing Sargent Shriver as its director. This program involved American volunteers assisting developing countries in various fields.

1961: Kennedy Passes Legislation and Proposes Federal Educational Aid

In 1961, Kennedy successfully passed a bill increasing the federal minimum wage to $1.25 an hour, though it exempted laundry workers. He also secured passage of the Area Redevelopment Act and the Housing Act of 1961, providing funds for economically struggling regions and urban renewal. Kennedy proposed a bill for $2.3 billion in federal educational aid, but it was defeated in the House. A health insurance bill and a bill to establish the Department of Urban Affairs and Housing were also unsuccessful in 1961.

1961: Kennedy's First Budget Results in Deficit

In 1961, Kennedy's first budget resulted in the nation's first non-war, non-recession deficit. His administration also began loosening monetary policy.

1961: Paul White Award

In 1961, 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. He also asked for them to be broadcast live and made good use of the medium.

1961: Focus Shift to Organized Crime

In 1961, under the leadership of the attorney general, the Kennedy administration shifted the focus of the Justice Department, the FBI, and the IRS to organized crime and also won congressional approval for five bills designed to crack down on interstate racketeering, gambling, and the transportation of firearms.

January 18, 1962: Authorization of Escalated Involvement in Vietnam

On January 18, 1962, Kennedy formally authorized escalated involvement in Vietnam by signing the National Security Action Memorandum (NSAM) – "Subversive Insurgency (War of Liberation)."

March 22, 1962: Abolishing the Death Penalty

On March 22, 1962, Kennedy signed into law a bill abolishing the mandatory death penalty for first-degree murder in the District of Columbia.

April 1962: Kennedy Confronts U.S. Steel Over Price Increases

In April 1962, Kennedy confronted U.S. Steel after its president, Roger Blough, announced a price increase. The Attorney General launched a price-fixing investigation, and Kennedy pressured other steel companies to rescind their price increases. Ultimately, U.S. Steel also rescinded its increase, facing isolation and the threat of being undersold. Shortly after the administration's action on the steel industry took place, the stock market dropped 10%.

September 12, 1962: Space Effort Speech

On September 12, 1962, Kennedy delivered a speech promoting the space effort.

September 1962: Federal Marshals Sent to University of Mississippi

In September 1962, Attorney General Robert Kennedy dispatched 400 federal marshals to the University of Mississippi to facilitate James Meredith's enrollment after he was initially prevented from entering. The Ole Miss riot ensued, resulting in two deaths and numerous injuries, leading President Kennedy to deploy 3,000 troops.

October 2, 1962: Signing of UN Bond Issue Bill

On October 2, 1962, Kennedy signed the United Nations bond issue bill to ensure U.S. assistance in financing UN peacekeeping operations in the Congo and elsewhere during the Congo Crisis.

November 20, 1962: Kennedy Signs Executive Order 11063

On November 20, 1962, Kennedy signed Executive Order 11063, which prohibited racial discrimination in federally supported housing.

November 21, 1962: Justification for Moon Shot Expense

On November 21, 1962, Kennedy explained in a cabinet meeting that the Moon shot was important for reasons of international prestige, justifying the expense.

1962: Trade Expansion Act Passed by Congress

In 1962, Congress passed the Trade Expansion Act with broad support, empowering the president to negotiate tariff reductions of up to 50 percent with the European Common Market on a reciprocal basis.

1962: Supreme Court Appointments

In 1962, Kennedy appointed justices Byron White and Arthur Goldberg to the Supreme Court.

1962: Kennedy Presides Over First Government Budget Over $100 Billion

In 1962, Kennedy presided over the first government budget to top the $100 billion mark, marking a shift in fiscal policy.

1962: Kennedy Wins Approval of Manpower Development and Training Act

In 1962, Kennedy secured the approval of the Manpower Development and Training Act, a three-year initiative designed to retrain workers facing displacement due to technological advancements.

1962: Sale of Hawk Missiles to Israel

In 1962, the Kennedy administration sold Israel a major weapon system, the Hawk antiaircraft missile, marking a step in increased security ties.

January 1963: Kennedy Proposes Tax Cut

In January 1963, Kennedy proposed a tax cut that would reduce the top marginal tax rate from 91 to 65 percent, and lower the corporate tax rate from 52 to 47 percent, as part of a Keynesian-style economic policy.

March 1963: Peace Corps Expansion

By March 1963, the Peace Corps had grown to 5,000 members, demonstrating the rapid expansion of the program initiated by Kennedy to aid developing countries.

June 10, 1963: "A Strategy of Peace" Speech

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 pursue world peace amid the Cold War.

June 11, 1963: Kennedy Intervenes in University of Alabama Segregation

On June 11, 1963, Kennedy intervened when Alabama Governor George Wallace blocked the doorway to the University of Alabama to prevent two Black students from attending. Wallace yielded only after being confronted by Deputy Attorney General Nicholas Katzenbach and the federalized Alabama National Guard. Kennedy then delivered his Report to the American People on Civil Rights speech, proposing civil rights legislation.

June 1963: Speech in West Berlin

In June 1963, Kennedy delivered one of his most famous speeches in West Berlin, emphasizing U.S. support.

June 1963: Visit to West Germany and West Berlin

In June 1963, Kennedy traveled to West Germany and West Berlin to reinforce the U.S. alliance, giving a public speech in West Berlin on June 26, criticizing communism and reiterating American commitment to Germany, famously saying "Ich bin ein Berliner".

June 1963: Kennedy Proposes Guarantees to Become Federal Law

In June 1963, the guarantees Kennedy proposed in his speech became federal law when President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act.

July 1963: Negotiations for Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

In July 1963, Kennedy sent W. Averell Harriman to Moscow to negotiate a nuclear test ban treaty with the Soviets, but a comprehensive ban was not implemented due to Soviet reluctance to allow inspections.

August 1963: Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. Appointed Ambassador to South Vietnam

In August 1963, Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. replaced Frederick Nolting as the U.S. ambassador to South Vietnam, after which South Vietnamese generals sought U.S. assent for a plan to remove Diem from power.

August 28, 1963: March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom

On August 28, 1963, over 250,000 people, primarily African Americans, participated in the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Kennedy initially opposed the march and after being warned about communist advisors of Martin Luther King, Jr., Robert Kennedy authorized the FBI to wiretap King and other leaders of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

September 23, 1963: Senate Approval of Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

On September 23, 1963, the U.S. Senate approved the limited treaty prohibiting atomic testing on the ground, in the atmosphere, or underwater.

October 7, 1963: Kennedy Signs Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

On October 7, 1963, Kennedy signed the limited nuclear test ban treaty, which prohibited atomic testing on the ground, in the atmosphere, or underwater, but not underground.

October 11, 1963: Signing of NSAM 263

On October 11, 1963, Kennedy signed NSAM 263, ordering the withdrawal of 1,000 military personnel by the end of the year based on the McNamara–Taylor mission report's recommendation that the South Vietnamese military training program had sufficiently progressed.

October 1963: Report on the Status of Women

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 making policy recommendations.

1963: End of Decolonization Wave

1963: Congress Passes Community Mental Health Act

In 1963, Congress passed the Community Mental Health Act, prompted by Kennedy's focus on intellectual disabilities at the urging of his sister Eunice. This act provided funding for local mental health community centers and research facilities.

1963: Sustained Economic Growth Continues

In 1963, the sustained rate of growth in GDP and industry continued under Kennedy's presidency.

July 2, 1964: Civil Rights Act Signed into 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: Kennedy Aims to Support His Reelection

In 1964, Kennedy needed to support his reelection and thus did not want to introduce civil rights legislation to avoid alienating conservative Southern Democrats.

1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964 Proposals

In 1964, Kennedy's proposals of equal access to public schools, other facilities, and greater protection of voting rights became part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

1964: Enactment of Kennedy's Proposals

In 1964, after Kennedy's death, Congress enacted many of his proposals, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Revenue Act of 1964.

1964: Revenue Act of 1964 Lowered Tax Rates

In 1964, three months after Kennedy's death, President Johnson pushed through Congress the Revenue Act of 1964, which lowered the top individual tax rate to 70 percent, and the top corporate rate to 48 percent.

June 30, 1967: Conclusion of Kennedy Round of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade Negotiations

On June 30, 1967, the Kennedy Round of General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade negotiations concluded, marking the expiration of the 1962 Trade Expansion Act.