JFK Library / Museum, Boston at U-Mass

I went to the Midlothian village hall with my mother when she voted for John F. Kennedy.  How elated she was when he won.  He was the first President I remember.  I also recall very clearly the day he died.  I was in second grade at St. Christopher's.  Sr. Margaret Clare our principle came over the loud speaker and said that the president had been shot.  We all got on knees as she led us in the rosary.  
Going into the museum today, I knew the story wouldn't end well.  He had only 1,000 days as President instead of the possible 2, 920.  His death does not define his accomplishments.  I was so glad to see the exhibits today featuring the imprint he left on our country.

The John Fitzgerald Kennedy Presidential Library is located on the grounds of University of Massachusetts.  The location was selected by Jacquline Kennedy for its proximity to the water which held a special place in his heart.  It was designed by IM Pei.

There are a couple displays in the museum to remind us what our life was like in the 1960s in America.  Some of you may remember these items, some might have just seen them in the movies.

My brother Tom had a transistor radio, Kathy had the hair dryer, we played the game of Life, and coffee was brewed in the percolator.   My dad brought home our first blender and made meatloaf in it thinking it would ground the egg, shell and all.  When the dinner was brought to the table, we found sharp white flecks in the meatloaf.  We laughed it off and had sandwiches for dinner.  Not even the dog Saki would eat it.  The new "electronics" made us hopeful.  What would be the next big thing?

President Kennedy was the right man for the 1960s.  He was young, vibrant and brought fresh ideas. He had a beautiful wife and growing family.  




Kennedy and Nixon were the first presidential candidates to debate live on television.  

Election night the vote counting lasted through the night.  John Kennedy won by the narrowest margin: 118,500 votes.

His inauguration speech challenged us to, "ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country." This quote has played millions of times since that cold January morning in 1960.  Watching the entire speech I want to add what he said next.  "My fellow citizens of the world:  ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.  Finally, whether you are a citizen of America or of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you.  With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own."

President Kennedy was the first president to hold live television press conferences, 64 in total.  The first press conference addressed the growing involvement of the U.S. in Viet Nam.  There were 400 reporters in the room.  18 million viewers was the average audience size for these broadcasts.

John Kennedy was a champion of Civil Rights and spoke vehemently for the rights of everyone, no matter their color or creed to enjoy the full rights as U.S. citizens.  "This nation was founded by men of many nations and backgrounds.  It was founded on the principle that all men are created equal, and that the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened."  After he died, President Johnson carried his mantle.  The Civil Rights Act was signed on July 2, 1964.  It was another year before the Voting Rights Act was passed.  

On May 16, 1961, President Kennedy set a goal before Congress to put a man on the moon before the end of the decade.  Our family was glued to the TV watching Neil Armstrong on July 20, 1969 making "one small step for mankind."  It was Kennedy's challenge and the commitment of Congress that fulfilled that goal.

Why go to the moon?  Kennedy answered, "Why choose this as our goal...Why climb the highest mountain?  Why 35 years ago fly the Atlantic?  Why choose to go to the moon in this decade, not because it will be easy, but because it will be hard -- because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills -- because that challenge is one we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win."  We had a space race with the Russians.  The space program brought an increase in technological advances, it did more for us was than getting there first.  Remember Tang?

The President, Vice-President, and First Lady watch Alan Shepard May 5, 1961 - the first  American in space.  Below is his space capsule.

A great program that the Kennedy administration founded was the Peace Corp which sent men and women volunteers to underserved countries to provided needed services and training.  These young people were not paid, but given living expenses for food and housing.  It was a big commitment for them, but the rewards were immeasurable.

October of 1962 the U.S. faced real danger during the Cuban Missile Crisis.  American recognizance planes took photos of nuclear silo construction underway in Cuba. The Russians were were heading to Cuba with missiles.  Duck and Cover! A negotiated agreement between Russia and the U.S. stated that the U.S. would not invade Cuba and would pull nuclear weapons out of Turkey, the Russians would pull their nuclear bombs out of Cuba.  A nuclear war was averted. 

This lead to the Test Ban Treaty with Russia. President Kennedy said to Congress, "...in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inherited this planet.  We all breathe the same air.  We all cherish our children's future.  And we are all mortal."  The treaty passed the house with a vote of 80 to 19 on September 24, 1963.

It was signed October 7, 1963

John Kennedy married Jacqueline Bouvier on September 12, 1953.  They had two children,  Carolyn and John (deceased).  Jackie brought style and beauty to the White House.  She was responsible for leading a team of historians and designers to locate historical artifacts and furniture and have them donated to the White House.  Visits to America's house increased 300% while they lived there.  

The nation poured it's heart out to Mrs. Kennedy and her children on that fateful day in November of 1963.  We watched Lyndon Johnson getting sworn in.  President Kennedy's funeral was such a sad day for the nation.  Such possibilities lost.  He left us with a legacy of giving, of civil rights, of reach for the stars, and of hope for a better future.