Bobby Kennedy had served his late brother as America’s Attorney General. Even before the assassination, the stain of disasters affecting the family had haunted him. The Kennedys: A Fatal Ambition II
The plane hit dense fog. Both the pilot and [Teddy] Kennedy’s aide Edward Moss were killed. The three others on board survived although Kennedy himself suffered a fractured spine, punctured lung and internal bleeding. ibid.
Around 26 hours later, he [Bobby] died in hospital as a result of his wounds. ibid.
In 1969 Ted Kennedy’s personal problems would lead to a very public fall from grace … The so-called Chappaquiddick incident created world headlines. ibid.
She [Joan] later suffered a miscarriage, blaming it on the stress of Chappaquiddick. ibid.
A new series of challenges would threaten to damage the Kennedy name beyond repair. ibid.
Joseph Patrick Kennedy … son of Bobby … ‘he crashed the car’ … Pamela was paralysed in the accident and would never walk again. ibid.
David Kennedy found dead in Florida hotel. ibid. The Boston Globe headline 26th April 1984
A fresh scandal involving William Kennedy Smith, son of JFK’s sister Jean … ‘the prime suspect in an alleged rape’ … Despite the defendant walking free, the case would leave a lasting mark on the family name. ibid.
Michael Kennedy dies in skiing accident. ibid. The Boston Globe headline 1 January 1998
John-John [John F Kennedy junior] had captured the nation’s hearts … ‘JFK Jr His Wife Feared Dead’ [Los Angeles Times] … An hour later the plane crashed nose-first into the Atlantic ocean. ibid.
Six family members had died prematurely. Whilst a string of others had been linked with tragedy and scandals. ibid.
John F Kennedy lived a life that would help define an entire generation. Looks, style, empathy. President for just over 1,000 days, Kennedy navigated events and crises that changed the world. Kennedy I: Jack (1917-1940), History 2023
60 years after his assassination we are still fascinated by the triumphs and flaws of the youngest president ever elected. ibid.
Young Jack’s life was happy and carefree until he contracted scarlet fever at age two. ibid.
Jack’s mother Rose was effectively a single parent. ibid.
An appendectomy: the first of many surgeries in his life. ibid.
In the decades to come, the family compound would serve as a source of stability and calm in Jack’s everchanging world. ibid.
During the summer of 1945 Kennedy raced off to Europe on an assignment. He was tasked with covering the British general election in London. Kennedy II: The World at War (1940-1946)
It didn’t take long for his popularity to rise especially with the women. ibid.
In the spring of 1946, 29-year-old John F Kennedy was busy on the campaign trail working to make himself known to the people of Boston. Kennedy III: Into the Political Jungle (1946-1956)
He supported the Truman Doctrine, a policy to contain Soviet expansion following World War II. ibid.
His blood pressure began to drop after arriving in London. After being rushed to a hospital in London he was diagnosed with Addison’s Disease. ibid.
Kennedy was a United States’ senator. ibid.
Kennedy first laid eyes on his future wife at a Georgetown dinner party in the spring of 1951. ibid.
The condition of his back continued to deteriorate. ibid.
The presidential election of 1956 would be an important opportunity for Kennedy to gain momentum on his political journey. He would soon known if his efforts had been enough to claim the vice presidential nomination. Kennedy IV: The Kennedy Machine (1956-1960)
After the victory [Senate], Kennedy knew his sole focus had to be the presidential race … With an eye towards a national audience, building towards the 1960 election. ibid.
Primary (1960): director Robert Drew. ibid.
Kennedy v Nixon: Candidates would debate four times, arguing their case to the nation. ibid.
Fuelled by adrenalin, Kennedy often had dark circles around his eyes. ibid.
He was the future. He was next. Kennedy V: The Torch Has Passed (Jan 61 to Dec 61), woman
The 35th president of the United States … The youngest man ever elected. ibid. commentary
A civil rights crisis and a daunting Cold War with the Soviet Union. ibid.
Over time Khrushchev’s demands for West Berlin became more threatening and more urgent. ibid.
The White House had a new and youthful atmosphere. Invigorated by music, arts and the contemporary style. Kennedy VI: Crisis (January 1962 - October 1962)
His wife was this cultured articulate multi-dimensional person who also happened to be an incredible mom. ibid. historian
This government feels obliged to report this new crisis to you in fullest detail. Kennedy VII: The Brink of War (October 1962 - June 1963), press conference
All eyes were now on Cuba, and nuclear war was now on the world’s doorstep. ibid. commentary
Kennedy’s speech marked an historic turning point in American history. However, racial hatred continued to haunt America. ibid.
‘But we have never had to put a wall up to stop people leaving us.’ West Berlin 26 June 1963: Kennedy VIII: A Legacy (June 1963 - November 1963), Kennedy
Two years after the rise of the Berlin Wall, President John F Kennedy visited Germany to address the citizens of West Berlin. ibid.
‘We’ll never have another day like this one as long as we live.’ ibid. Kennedy to speechwriter
Vietnam: Kennedy was still opposed to send combat troops. ibid.
The coup in Vietnam had sent Kennedy a message: the chaos in Vietnam had to be dealt with. ibid.
His was a story of victory and defeat, of joy and despair, of triumphs in judgment and missteps in action, it was story of maturation, personal challenges, mistakes, recklessness, courage and relentless ambition. ibid.