How Robert F. Kennedy Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline
A closer look at the lasting mark left by Robert F. Kennedy—a timeline of influence.
Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) was a prominent American politician and lawyer, serving as the 64th U.S. Attorney General (1961-1964) and a U.S. Senator from New York (1965-1968). A leading figure in the Democratic Party and an icon of modern American liberalism, he was assassinated in June 1968 while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination. Like his brothers John and Ted, RFK was a significant force in American politics.
1963: Assassination of John F. Kennedy and the Emergence of Conspiracy Theories
The 1963 assassination of John F. Kennedy, like Robert's death, has been the subject of conspiracy theories.
September 1964: Stepping Down as Attorney General
In September 1964, as Robert F. Kennedy stepped down as Attorney General, The New York Times praised him for raising the standards of the position, despite having criticized his appointment three years prior.
September 27, 1964: Statement on Warren Commission Report
On September 27, 1964, Robert Kennedy issued a statement expressing his conviction that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone in the assassination of President Kennedy, despite not having read the Warren Commission report.
1966: Meeting with Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.
After a meeting with Robert Kennedy in 1966, historian Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. noted that Kennedy believed the Warren Commission's report was poorly done but was unwilling to criticize it publicly.
April 4, 1968: Indianapolis Speech Following MLK's Assassination
On April 4, 1968, following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Robert F. Kennedy delivered a speech in Indianapolis where he quoted lines from Aeschylus.
1968: Founding of the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights
In 1968, the Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights was founded, establishing an international award program to recognize human rights activists.
1968: Impact of Kennedy's Death on the 1968 Presidential Election
Robert F. Kennedy's death is deemed a significant factor in the Democratic Party's loss of the 1968 presidential election.
1969: Posthumous Publication of 'Thirteen Days'
In 1969, Robert Kennedy's account of the Cuban Missile Crisis, titled 'Thirteen Days', was published posthumously.
1969: Launch of the Robert F. Kennedy Children's Action Corps
In 1969, the Robert F. Kennedy Children's Action Corps, a private, nonprofit organization based in Massachusetts, was launched to help abused and neglected children.
1971: Publication of 'We Band of Brothers'
In his 1971 book We Band of Brothers, aide Edwin O. Guthman recounted Kennedy admitting to him an hour after receiving word of his brother's death that he thought he would be the one "they would get" as opposed to his brother.
1974: Community Development Corporations Flourish
By 1974, the Bedford-Stuyvesant project became a prototype for community development corporations, with 34 federally funded and 75 privately funded corporations.
1974: Cuban Missile Crisis dramatized in "The Missiles of October"
In 1974, Robert F. Kennedy's role in the Cuban Missile Crisis was dramatized by Martin Sheen in the TV play "The Missiles of October".
1978: Awarded Congressional Gold Medal
In 1978, the U.S. Congress awarded Robert F. Kennedy the Congressional Gold Medal for distinguished service.
1998: Release of Robert F. Kennedy Silver Dollar
In 1998, the United States Mint released the Robert F. Kennedy silver dollar, featuring Kennedy's image and emblems of the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Senate.
2000: Cuban Missile Crisis dramatized in "Thirteen Days"
In 2000, Robert F. Kennedy's role in the Cuban Missile Crisis was dramatized by Steven Culp in the film "Thirteen Days".
2000: Evan Thomas wrote about Kennedy
In 2000, biographer Evan Thomas wrote that Robert Kennedy sometimes misused his powers by "modern standards", but concluded he was a great attorney general.
2006: Film "Bobby" released
In 2006, the film "Bobby", a story about multiple people's lives leading up to Robert F. Kennedy's assassination, was released. The film employed stock footage from his presidential campaign, and he is briefly portrayed by Dave Fraunces.
2007: Release of "Family Jewels" Documents
In 2007, the CIA declassified the "Family Jewels" documents, which suggested Robert Kennedy authorized an assassination attempt on Fidel Castro before the Bay of Pigs Invasion, though other evidence contradicts this.
2011: Barry Pepper portrays Kennedy in "The Kennedys"
In 2011, Barry Pepper won an Emmy for his portrayal of Robert F. Kennedy in "The Kennedys", an eight-part miniseries.
2016: Peter Sarsgaard plays Kennedy in "Jackie"
In 2016, Peter Sarsgaard played Robert F. Kennedy in the film about Jacqueline Kennedy, "Jackie".
2019: Jack Huston plays Kennedy in "The Irishman"
In 2019, Jack Huston played Robert F. Kennedy in Martin Scorsese's film "The Irishman".
2019: Speech on Martin Luther King's Death Preserved
In 2019, Robert F. Kennedy's "Speech on the Death of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." from April 4, 1968, was selected by the Library of Congress for preservation in the National Recording Registry due to its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance.
January 2025: Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
In January 2025, Robert F. Kennedy was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Joe Biden, which is the highest civilian award in the United States.
