Early Life and Education of John F. Kennedy: A Complete Timeline

Discover the defining moments in the early life of John F. Kennedy. From birth to education, explore key events.

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.

Sections (7)

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

May 29, 1917: John F. Kennedy's Birth

On May 29, 1917, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, later known as JFK, was born.

June 19, 1917: Kennedy's Baptism

John F. Kennedy was baptized on June 19, 1917, at St. Aidan's Church in Brookline, Massachusetts.

1920: Kennedy Contracts Scarlet Fever

In 1920, three months before his third birthday, Kennedy contracted scarlet fever and was admitted to Boston City Hospital.

1922: First exposure to politics

In 1922, John F. Kennedy had his first exposure to politics, touring the Boston wards with his grandfather Fitzgerald during his failed gubernatorial campaign.

September 1927: Family Moved to New York City

In September 1927, the Kennedy family moved from Boston to the Riverdale neighborhood of New York City.

September 1930: Sent to Canterbury School

In September 1930, Kennedy was sent to the Canterbury School in New Milford, Connecticut, for 8th grade.

April 1931: Appendectomy and Withdrawal from Canterbury

In April 1931, Kennedy had an appendectomy and withdrew from Canterbury School to recuperate at home.

September 1931: Attended Choate School

In September 1931, Kennedy started attending Choate, a preparatory boarding school in Wallingford, Connecticut.

June 1934: Kennedy Admitted to Mayo Clinic

In June 1934, Kennedy was admitted to the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, where he was diagnosed with colitis.

June 1935: Graduated from Choate

In June 1935, Kennedy graduated from Choate, finishing 64th of 112 students.

October 1935: Return to the U.S. due to Ill Health

In October 1935, Kennedy returned to the U.S. due to ill health and enrolled at Princeton University, but had to leave after two months due to gastrointestinal illness.

September 1936: Enrolled at Harvard College

In September 1936, Kennedy enrolled at Harvard College.

1936: Kennedy Works as a Ranch Hand

In the spring of 1936, after withdrawing from Princeton University, Kennedy worked as a ranch hand outside Benson, Arizona.

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 1, 1939: Germany Invaded Poland

On September 1, 1939, Kennedy was in Berlin when Germany invaded Poland, marking the start of World War II.

1940: Attempted to enter Officer Candidate School

In 1940, Kennedy attempted to enter the army's Officer Candidate School but was medically disqualified.

1940: Thesis Completed

In 1940, Kennedy completed his thesis, "Appeasement in Munich", which was later released as the book "Why England Slept" on July 24. It became a bestseller.

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1940: Graduation from Harvard

In 1940, Kennedy graduated cum laude from Harvard with a Bachelor of Arts in government.

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.

1941: Toured South America

In early 1941, Kennedy toured South America.

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.

January 1944: Kennedy arrived in San Francisco

In early January 1944, Kennedy arrived in San Francisco after leaving the Pacific front.

August 12, 1944: Joe Jr. Kennedy killed in action

On August 12, 1944, Kennedy's older brother, Joe Jr., a navy pilot, was killed on an air mission during World War II. His body was never recovered.

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.

January 1945: Kennedy recovered from back injury at Castle Hot Springs

Beginning in January 1945, Kennedy spent three months recovering from his back injury at Castle Hot Springs, a resort and temporary military hospital in Arizona.

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: 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.

September 1947: Kennedy's Diagnosis with Addison's Disease

In September 1947, when he was 30 and in his first term in Congress, Kennedy was diagnosed with Addison's disease by Sir Daniel Davis at The London Clinic.

1947: Representative in U.S. House of Representatives

From 1947, Kennedy represented a working-class Boston district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

1951: Kennedy's Trip to Asia and Israel

In 1951, while a congressman, Kennedy embarked on a seven-week trip to India, Japan, Vietnam, and Israel, becoming close with his brother Robert and sister Patricia.

September 12, 1953: John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier Wedding

On September 12, 1953, John F. Kennedy married Jacqueline Lee "Jackie" Bouvier at St. Mary's Church in Newport, Rhode Island.

1953: Elected to the U.S. Senate

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

1954: Division of Vietnam

In 1954, Vietnam was divided into a communist North Vietnam and a non-communist South Vietnam following the Geneva Conference.

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.

1955: Jacqueline Kennedy's Miscarriage

In 1955, Jacqueline Kennedy had a miscarriage.

1956: Stillbirth of Daughter Arabella

In 1956, John and Jacqueline Kennedy had a stillborn daughter, Arabella.

1956: Sale of Hickory Hill Estate

In 1956, the Kennedys sold their Hickory Hill estate to Kennedy's brother Robert and bought a townhouse in Georgetown.

1957: Birth of Caroline Kennedy

In 1957, John and Jacqueline Kennedy's daughter, Caroline, was born.

November 1960: Birth of John F. Kennedy Jr.

In November 1960, John F. Kennedy Jr. was born, 17 days after his father was elected president.

1960: Elected as President

In 1960, Kennedy was elected president of the United States, narrowly defeating Richard Nixon.

June 1961: Dominican Republic Leader Assassinated

In June 1961, the leader of the Dominican Republic was assassinated, leading to a cautious reaction from the U.S. Robert Kennedy criticized Undersecretary of State Chester Bowles' reaction.

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.

1961: Kennedy's Health Issues at Vienna Summit

During the 1961 Vienna Summit, Kennedy appears to have been taking a combination of drugs to treat back pain, which may have had diplomatic repercussions.

1961: Kennedy Becomes President

In 1961, John F. Kennedy began his term as the 35th President of the United States.

1961: Awarded Laetare Medal

In 1961, Kennedy was awarded the Laetare Medal by the University of Notre Dame, which is considered the most prestigious award for American Catholics.

1961: Disagreements Among Kennedy's Doctors

Into late 1961, disagreements existed among Kennedy's doctors concerning the balance of medication and exercise for his health issues. His primary White House physician, George G. Burkley, set up gym equipment in the White House basement.

October 1962: Cuban Missile Crisis

In October 1962, the Cuban Missile Crisis occurred after U.S. spy planes discovered Soviet missile bases in Cuba, bringing the world close to nuclear war.

June 1963: Speech in West Berlin

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

June 26, 1963: Kennedy Visits Ireland

On June 26, 1963, Kennedy began a four-day visit to his ancestral home of Ireland, where he accepted a grant of armorial bearings, received honorary degrees, attended a State Dinner, was conferred with freedom of several towns, and visited the cottage where his ancestors had lived.

August 1963: Birth and Death of Patrick Kennedy

In August 1963, Jackie Kennedy gave birth to a son, Patrick, who died after two days due to complications from birth.

September 15, 1963: 16th Street Baptist Church bombing

On Sunday, September 15, 1963, a bomb exploded at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, resulting in the deaths of four Black children and further violence. The civil rights legislation underwent drastic amendments that critically endangered any prospects for passage of the bill, to the outrage of Kennedy. He called the congressional leaders to the White House and by the following day the original bill, without the additions, had enough votes to get it out of the House committee.