John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Analyzing the Inaugural Address
Get high school historians to step outside their own shoes by responding to JFK's inaugural address from the perspective of a civil rights activist, a soviet diplomat, or a Cuban exile. After a class discussion about the address, the...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Analyzing the Rhetoric of JFK’s Inaugural Address
“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your. country.” Did you know that John Kenneth Galbraith, Adlai Stevenson, and Theodore Sorensen helped John F. Kennedy craft his 1961...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Red States/Blue States: Mapping the Presidential Election
Young historians investigate how voting patterns have changed by comparing the outcome of the 1960 election to the outcome of the recent election. A creative final assessment has participants making a news show wherein they provide...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Ask Not What Your Country Can Do for You
Ask not what the lesson here can do for you, but what you can do with the lesson. The answer is quite a lot! Young scholars revisit JFK's famous inaugural address with a focus on his plea for civic engagement. There's a letter to JFK...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
The Cuban Missile Crisis: How to Respond?
For 13 days, the United States stood on the edge of nuclear War. The Soviet Arms buildup in Cuba is the focus of an activity that asks groups to analyze how the governmental role each of John F. Kennedy's advisors played went on to...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Recipe for an Inaugural Address
An inaugural address represents the first moments of a new beginning. Using John F. Kennedy's speech as a model for guided practice, groups examine the ingredients of an inaugural address. Individuals then repeat the analysis process...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Military Advisers in Vietnam: 1963
How did the beginning of the Vietnam War factor into the Cold War with the Soviet Union? As part of a study of American involvement in Vietnam, class members read a letter address to President Kennedy and his response in which he...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Picture It: JFK in High School
Elementary schoolers learn about young John F. Kennedy. After a teacher-led discussion about his high school years, pupils examine a photograph of Kennedy and four of his friends taken on the grounds of the Choate School in Connecticut....
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum: Campaign of 1960
Learn how the youngest person ever rose to the highest office in the land through this summary of JKF's 1960 campaign. Watch videos from the national convention, major speeches, and clips from the infamous debate with Richard Nixon.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum: Soviet Arms Buildup in Cuba
An audio recording of a speech given to Americans by John F. Kennedy on October 22, 1962 where he talks about the buildup of Soviet military power in Cuba. A transcript is also provided. [17:37]
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum: The Struggle for Civil Rights
Although his presidency was cut short, JFK had an immense impact on the Civil Rights Movement. Use this interactive timeline to delve into the equality issues plaguing out nation and how Kennedy addressed these concerns. By clicking on...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Jfk Library: Jfk in History
Take a look at this extensive collection from John Kennedy's presidency. Among many events, discover history of Bay of Pigs, Civil Rights Movement, and the U.S. Physical Fitness Program.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum: Death of John F. Kennedy
The John F. Kennedy Library provides a detailed, historical account of the events leading up to and following the death of the president. Included with the text are videos and pictures of the significant moments that took place during...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Jfk Presidential Library & Museum: James Farmer
Letters and telegrams from the co-founder of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), James farmer, help tell the story of his fight against segregation during the Kennedy years.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Jfk Presidential Library and Museum: Campaign of 1960
John F. Kennedy would be elected in November, 1960, as the youngest president ever voted into office. Here read about the Democratic convention, the debates between Kennedy and Richard Nixon, and find out about the issues of the...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Jfk Presidential Library and Museum: Alliance for Progress
John F. Kennedy had lofty goals for improving U.S. relations with Latin America when he became president. Read about the aims of the Alliance for Progress and find out why it was a failure.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum: Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy
A biography of Jacqueline Kennedy, a first lady who fascinated the people of the United States.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Jfk Presidential Library: Integrating Ole Miss: A Civil Rights Milestone
This site lets visitors learn about the integration of the University of Mississippi firsthand through the actual letters, recorded telephone conversations, and images of those who made history.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Jfk Presidential Library and Museum: The Cold War
This site discusses the United States' struggle to halt the spread of Communism at the height of the Cold War.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum: Space Program
In 1957 the Soviet Union launched the satellite Sputnik and had an astronaut orbit the moon a few years later. The U.S. was shocked and vowed to not be left behind. Examine how JFK rallied the country and Congress to get behind the race...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Robert F. Kennedy Speech on the Assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Robert F. Kennedy's speech on the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Audio available
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Jfk Presidential Library and Museum: The Cold War in Berlin
Article explores the division of Germany and Berlin into two zones, East and West, and delves into President Kennedy's relationship with the Soviets during the Cold War. On June 26, 1963, President Kennedy delivered an explosive speech...
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Jfk in History: Vietnam
Read a brief description of the escalation of American involvement in the Vietnam War during the presidency of John F. Kennedy.
John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum
Jfk Presidential Library and Museum: Jfk in History: The Bay of Pigs
The John F. Kennedy Library and museum provides a detailed description of how the Bay of Pigs Invasion came about, what happened and the aftermath of the event. The information is thorough and includes pictures of John F. Kennedy...