At its best

Pictured above: Senator Kennedy in the late 1950s.

A Gemini, John F Kennedy, otherwise known as Jack, was the first president of the USA to be born in the 20th century. He attended many private schools including Choate, the famous prep school, when he was young. He majored in Political Science from Harvard University. After his graduation in 1940, he served as the Navy Commander, in the Pacific during World War Two. Inspired by his father he entered politics in 1946 and was elected as a Democrat to the US House of Representatives. Following this victory, he paved his way to the Senate in 1952. In 1960, at forty three years of age, JFK won the presidential nomination election and became the youngest ever president to be elected to office. He was also the first Roman Catholic leader of the country. He married Jacqueline Lee Bouvier, a wealthy socialite and photographer, on September 12,1953 in New Port, Rhode Island at St.Mary’s Roman Catholic Church. He sired three children; Caroline Bouvier Kennedy, John Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr. and Patrick Bouvier Kennedy, who survived for just two days after his birth.

That definitive prep summer style.

kennedys:

John F. Kennedy, age 26: Round-Robin Letter
[Postmarked August 13th, 1943]

Dear folks,
This is just a short note to tell you that I am alive - and not kicking - in spite of the many reports that you may happen to hear. It was believed otherwise for a few days - so reports or rumours may have gotten back to you. Fortunately, they misjudged the durability of a Kennedy - and am back at the base now and am O.K. As soon as possible I shall try to give you the whole story. *
Much love to you all,
Jack

*A few days earlier, Motortorpedo Squadron 2 had held a funeral mass for Jack and his crew, whom they believed to have died when the Japanese destroyer Amagiri plowed through the hull of PT  109 in the early morning hours of August 2nd. Although the Navy Department had notified Joseph P. Kennedy during the course of the week that Jack was missing in action, he believe that  Jack was still alive and did not inform his family until after  Jack and the surviving crew members had been rescued on August 7th.

John F. Kennedy’s Harvard application shows just how far college admissions have come in the last 75 years.

The 26-page document, recently released by the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum, lacks praise for the young Choate student. The future president is described by a family friend as “reliable and dependable,” and a note from his father states that young Jack tends to “lack application.”

Would Kennedy have gotten into Harvard today? Well, he has some factors in his favor. For one, according to college consultant Barbara Cooper, he’s a legacy, and legacy applicants have a decided edge in the admissions process.

But the piece de resistance of any college application, the why-I-want-to-go-to-this-school essay, might have hurt Kennedy’s chances.

“The reasons that I have for wanting to go to Harvard are several,” he wrote. “I feel that Harvard can give me a better background and a better liberal education than any other university. I have always wanted to go there, as I have felt that it is not just another college, but is a university with something definite to offer. Then to[?], I would like to go to the same college as my father. To be a ‘Harvard man’ is an enviable distinction, and one that I sincerely hope I shall attain.”

To say it’s a bit lacking would be an understatement. “The essay itself, from today’s point of view, is missing a true understanding of the unique features of Harvard’s offerings,” Cooper said. “It’s not even clear if he visited or attended the information session, which many schools say is essential to indicating that you have an interest.”

Harvard received a record 35,000 applications for its class of 2015.

Download or read the document here!

A young Jack Kennedy and his untamed curls during his Harvard years in the 1940s.

Senator Jack Kennedy pictured above outside in the smoking area at the 1960 Democratic Convention

Happy 94th birthday, President John F. Kennedy.

Jackie getting used to the close-knit camaraderie of her new family before they cut the wedding cake.

Bobby, Jacqueline, and Jack on September 12, 1953.

Senator Kennedy in Ohio.

Ethel, Bobby and Jack in the 1950’s.

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility — I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it. And the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.

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 citizens of America or citizens 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.

JFK & Lyndon B. Johnson in NYC before  their inauguration.

Representative Jack Kennedy in the 1940s.