John Fitzgerald Kennedy Biography and Timeline

Birth of John Fitzgerald Kennedy

Birth of John Fitzgerald Kennedy, Brookline, Mass

Why England Slept", problems with dictators before World War II

Publication of "Why England Slept", problems with dictators before World War II

Why England Slept

Publication of "Why England Slept", problems with dictators before World War II

Election

Elected Member of House of Representitives

Election

Elected Congressman for Massachusetts 1947-1953

Election

Elected Member of Senate

Marriage

Marries Jacqueline Bouvier

Pulitzer Prize

Winner of the Pullitzer Prize for "Profiles In Courage"

iForeign Relations Committee

Appointed Member of Foreign Relations Committee

President of United States of America

Appointed Presidential candidate for the Democratic Party

Election

During a televised debate with Kennedy Nixon appears drawn & makes the mistake of using "lazy shave" face powder

TV Debate

During a televised debate with Kennedy Nixon appears drawn & makes the mistake of using "lazy shave" face powder

Election

Defeats Richard Nixon by 49.9% to 49.6% of the popular vote

Role range: 1960-1965 – 1960-1963

President of USA

Defeats Richard Nixon by 49.9% to 49.6% of the popular vote. Becomes the youngest ever President & the 1st Catholic. Appointed President of the USA, 35th President

Role range: 1960-1965 – 1960-1963

Briefing of President-Elect Kennedy

Dulles and Bissell brief President-elect Kennedy on the developing Cuban invasion plan.

Role range: 1960-1962 – 1960-1961

First Detailed CIA Briefing

Kennedy receives his first detailed briefing on the planned Cuban exile operation.

Role range: 1960-1962 – 1960-1961

Campaign Position on Cuba

Kennedy criticises Castro and supports stronger opposition to the Cuban government.

Role range: 1960-1962 – 1960-1961

Presidential Campaign Debate over Cuba

Kennedy campaigns on a hard line toward Castro during the presidential election.

Role range: 1960-1962 – 1960-1961

Election

In the 1960 presidential election, both main candidates, Richard Nixon of the Republican Party and John F. Kennedy of the Democratic Party, campaigned on the issue of Cuba, both taking a hardline stance on Castro

Role range: 1960-1965 – 1960-1963

At Geneva refuses to accept the neutrality of South Vietnam

At Geneva refuses to accept the neutrality of South Vietnam

Role range: 1960-1975 – 1960-1963

Defence Agreement at Washington

Warned by de Gaulle that Vietnam is a "bottomless military & political swamp". Agrees to a "neutral & independent" Laos at Geneva

Role range: 1960-1975 – 1960-1963

Military Aid

Increases personnel in South Vietnam to over 16,000 & permits them to go into combat

Role range: 1960-1975 – 1960-1963

Neutrality

At Geneva refuses to accept the neutrality of South Vietnam

Role range: 1960-1975 – 1960-1963

Neutrality

Agrees to a "neutral & independent" Laos at Geneva

Role range: 1960-1975 – 1960-1963

Inauguration

Inaugurated President of the USA, 35th President, youngest ever President

Role range: 1960-1965 – 1960-1963

Inherited Invasion Plan

Kennedy enters office with the CIA Cuban invasion project already well advanced.

Role range: 1960-1962 – 1961-1963

Invasion of Cuba

Kennedy is briefed on a plan, code-named Operation Pluto, for a ship-borne invasion force to land near Trinidad, Cuba.

Role range: 1960-1965 – 1960-1963

Operation Pluto

Kennedy is briefed on Operation Pluto, an invasion plan proposing a landing near Trinidad, Cuba.

Role range: 1960-1965 – 1960-1963

Peace

Announces plans for a corps of volunteers to improve conditions in undeveloped nations

Role range: 1961-1965 – 1961-1963

Covert Activities Continued

Kennedy directs continuation of propaganda, political action, sabotage, infiltration and overflight activities while military review proceeds.

Role range: 1960-1962 – 1961-1963

Trinidad Landing Plan Reviewed

Kennedy reviews a proposed landing near Trinidad at the Escambray Mountains.

Role range: 1960-1962 – 1961-1963

Trinidad Plan Briefing

Kennedy reviews the proposed landing near Trinidad and the Escambray Mountains.

Role range: 1960-1962 – 1961-1963

United States Policy against Castro

Kennedy inherits a policy intended to remove Castro and reduce Soviet influence in Cuba.

Role range: 1960-1962 – 1961-1963

Invasion of Cuba

Kennedy asked Asks advisers whether the toppling of Castro might be related to weapon shipments and if it was possible to claim the real targets were modern fighter aircraft and rockets which endangered Americas securit

Role range: 1960-1965 – 1960-1963

Peace Corps

Announces the Peace Corps has been created

Role range: 1961-1965 – 1961-1963

Peace

Announces the Peace Corps has been created

Role range: 1961-1965 – 1961-1963

Trinidad Site Rejected

Kennedy demands a less conspicuous landing site than Trinidad.

Role range: 1960-1962 – 1961-1963

Independence of Laos

"the security of South East Asia will be endagered if Laos loses its independence"

Role range: 1960-1975 – 1960-1963

Independence of United States of America

"the security of South East Asia will be endagered if Laos loses its independence"

Role range: 1960-1975 – 1960-1963

Recognition of Independence

"the security of South East Asia will be endagered if Laos loses its independence"

Role range: 1960-1975 – 1960-1963