Lasting Legacy of John F. Kennedy: A Look at the Influence on History

A detailed timeline of the impact and legacy of John F. Kennedy across different fields.

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

1944: PT-109 rescue chronicled in The New Yorker

In 1944, the PT-109 rescue story was chronicled by John Hersey in The New Yorker.

1956: Original Conception of Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

The nuclear test ban treaty, later negotiated by Kennedy and Khrushchev, was originally conceived in Adlai Stevenson's 1956 presidential campaign.

1963: LIFE Article Establishes "Camelot" Image

In 1963, the LIFE article represented the first use of the term "Camelot" in print and played a major role in establishing the image of the Kennedy Administration in the popular mind.

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: Potential Policy Change

Historians disagree on whether the U.S. military presence in Vietnam would have escalated had Kennedy survived and been re-elected in 1964.

1964: Civil Rights Act of 1964

In 1964, Kennedy's proposals became part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

January 3, 1967: Death of Jack Ruby

Jack Ruby, who was convicted for the murder of Lee Harvey Oswald, died of cancer on January 3, 1967, while the date for his new trial was being set.

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.

1969: End of sustained rate of growth

Around 1969, the sustained rate of growth in GDP and industry that began during Kennedy's presidency came to an end.

1973: Alliance for Progress Committee Disbanded

By 1973, the permanent committee established to implement the Alliance for Progress was disbanded by the OAS, as U.S. presidents after Kennedy showed less support for the program.

1979: U.S. House Select Committee on Assassinations Conclusion

In 1979, the U.S. House Select Committee on Assassinations concluded, with one third of the committee dissenting, that Kennedy was probably assassinated as a result of a conspiracy.

1999: Death of John F. Kennedy Jr.

John F. Kennedy Jr. died in 1999 when the small plane he was piloting crashed.

2002: Robert Dallek's History of Kennedy's Health

In 2002, Robert Dallek wrote an extensive history of Kennedy's health based on Kennedy-associated papers from 1955 to 1963, including X-rays and prescription records from Travell.

2003: The Fog of War Documentary

In the 2003 documentary film "The Fog of War", Secretary of Defense McNamara stated that Kennedy was strongly considering pulling out of Vietnam after the 1964 election.

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2008: Sorensen's autobiography confirms ghostwriting rumors

In 2008, Ted Sorensen's autobiography confirmed rumors that Kennedy's "Profiles in Courage" was ghostwritten.

2008: Ted Sorensen's Memoir

In a 2008 memoir, Kennedy administration White House Counsel and speechwriter Ted Sorensen suggested that Kennedy was undecided about what policy direction to take in Vietnam.

2010: Gallup Organization Survey

In 2010, a survey by the Gallup Organization found Kennedy to be the most popular modern president with an 85 percent retrospective approval rating.

November 2013: Gallup Poll on Kennedy Assassination Conspiracy

In November 2013, a Gallup Poll showed that 61% of people believed in a conspiracy surrounding Kennedy's assassination, and only 30% thought that Oswald acted alone.

2014: Washington Post Survey

In 2014, a Washington Post survey of the American Political Science Association ranked Kennedy 14th highest overall among U.S. presidents, but also as the most overrated.