JFK at 100: the Making of a Better World

Today marks 100 years since John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917.

When I was a child, I enjoyed reading picture book biographies of famous US Americans, often reading specific biographies multiple times.  One of those was of John F. Kennedy.

From what I gleaned of his life story as a child, I saw him as a figure who established himself in a politically prominent family, which still exerts prominence today.  After demonstrating great valiance in World War II, he was elected to Congress.  He then ran for President, and presented himself a refreshing young figure for that office, not to mention his wife Jackie and their children who all enhanced his vibrant vibe--which seems fitting as the youngest person ever elected US president.

He strove greatly in the making of a better world, creating the Peace Corps, and taking a hard stance against Communism.  Certainly many of his speeches illustrate his aim to inspire people, like his renowned Inaugural Address, and his speech calling on the US to get a person to the moon, and his stand for people oppressed by Communist governments in his speech in Berlin.

And all his great promise and potential was cut short when he was assassinated in Dallas, TX, in a place that was rather hostile to him.  I recall seeing an image of an ad in a Texas newspaper that was a wanted ad for crimes against the Constitution, which included his image.

On the subject of books, I recently stumbled upon Mr. Kennedy's book, Profiles in Courage, at the library.  It was interesting to see the range of people he covered from throughout US history.  And to think it was something that came out of a time when he was hospitalized.  He certainly overcame many physical ailments, especially in his childhood, to achieve a substantial measure of greatness.

While looking at the website of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, I found a great video, in which Caroline Kennedy and her three children reflect on John F. Kennedy.  Caroline speaks about how her father inspired so many people to make a better world.  His grandchildren speak about how he challenged people to do great work in pressing toward the future with greater equality for all and accomplishing great achievements, like the man on the moon.

Caroline mentioned in her remarks that in her father's inaugural address, he said that our work is never finished in our lifetime, so we have the responsibility to pass on our values to the next generation.  On this occasion of the centennial of John F. Kennedy's birth, perhaps that's the greatest legacy he left:  getting a great work started in the making of a better world.