John F. Kennedy, often referred to as JFK, served as the 35th president of the United States from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. Although his time in office was tragically cut short, JFK made a lasting impact on American politics and culture.
While most people are familiar with the basic facts about JFK’s life and presidency, there are many intriguing details that are lesser known. Here are 10 fascinating facts about John F. Kennedy that may surprise you:
1. His family was extremely wealthy
The Kennedy family was one of the wealthiest and most politically connected families in the United States. JFK’s father, Joseph P. Kennedy, was a successful businessman and investor who amassed a massive fortune3. This wealth enabled the Kennedy children to grow up with privileges and opportunities that most Americans could only dream of at the time.
2. His father narrowly escaped a terrorist attack
In July 1915, when JFK was less than two months old, his father was living and working in Liverpool, England. On July 30, a German spy planted bombs at a dock in Liverpool, causing massive damage. Joseph Kennedy had been scheduled to have lunch at the dock that day, but canceled at the last minute, narrowly avoiding the attack3.
3. He spent part of his childhood in the Bronx
Although the Kennedy family’s main homes were in Massachusetts, they also had residences in New York. From age 3 to 10, JFK spent part of each year living in Riverdale, Bronx with his governess. He attended the local public school there for five years3.
4. He had a wide variety of health problems
JFK suffered from an extraordinary number of health issues, many of which were kept secret from the public during his lifetime. He nearly died from scarlet fever at age 2 and contracted measles, chickenpox and whooping cough the following year. JFK also suffered from colitis, prostatitis, Addison’s disease, osteoporosis of the lower back, and more3.
5. He donated his entire presidential salary to charity
While president, JFK refused to keep his $100,000 annual salary and instead donated it to various charities each year. By the time of his assassination, he had given away his total presidential salary of $400,0005.
6. He was awarded a Purple Heart in the Pacific
JFK served in the Navy during World War II, commanding torpedo boats in the Pacific. In August 1943, a Japanese destroyer struck and disabled Kennedy’s boat, PT-109. He helped rescue his surviving crew members and later received the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in the attack4.
7. He was the first Boy Scout to become president
JFK was an active Boy Scout during his youth and attained the rank of Star Scout. He is the only U.S. president who was ever a Boy Scout6.
8. He was the only Catholic president
When Kennedy was elected president in 1960, he became the first and so far only Roman Catholic to hold the nation’s highest office3. His religion was a major issue during the campaign.
9. He was the first president to dance with an African American woman at an inaugural ball
At his inaugural ball in 1961, JFK made civil rights history when he danced with Dorothy Height, president of the National Council of Negro Women. She was the first African American woman to attend an inaugural ball as a guest5.
10. He was the youngest elected president
JFK was 43 years, 7 months and 22 days old when he was sworn in as president on January 20, 1961. This makes him the youngest man ever elected to the nation’s highest office6.
In his short time as president, JFK faced monumental challenges like the Cold War and the civil rights movement. His vision and leadership inspired a generation of Americans before his tragic assassination at age 46. These fascinating facts help provide a glimpse into the extraordinary life of one of history’s most iconic presidents.
Citations:
1 https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/life-of-john-f-kennedy/fast-facts-john-f-kennedy
2 https://www.funkidslive.com/learn/top-10-facts/top-10-facts-about-john-f-kennedy/
3 https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/10-fascinating-facts-about-president-john-f-kennedy
4 https://www.exp1.com/blog/9-interesting-facts-about-jfk/
5 https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/john-f-kennedy-facts
6 https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/jfk-did-you-know/
