Events and Accomplishments of President John F. Kennedy

JFK is inaugurated President of the US

Jan 20, 1961

JFK is inaugurated as the 35th President of the United States of America.

JFK has First Press Conference as President

Jan 25, 1961

President John f. Kennedy had his first press conference as President was also the first time it was aired on live TV.

Creates The Peace Corps

Mar 1, 1961

President John F. Kennedy creates the Peace Corps to help promote cultural understanding and to provide support for struggling countries.

Alliance for Progress

Mar 13, 1961

President John F. Kennedy makes long term "Alliance for Progress" with Latin America.

Bay of Pigs Invasion

Apr 4, 1961

Fidel Castro's forces repel a U.S. sponsored invasion of Cuba at the Bay of Pigs in an attempt to overthrow Castro's regin. President Kennedy apologizes for the failure of invasion.

JFK Reverts on Youth Fitness

Jul 19, 1961

President Kennedy stated, "Urgent call to strengthen all programs that contribute to the progress that contribute to the physical fitness of our youth."

Outlines Military Buildup

Jul 25, 1961

President Kennedy outlines the military buildup in Germany and elsewhere in response to Khrushchev's threats.

Cape Cod National Seashore Act

Aug 7, 1961

JFK signs first national seashore park

Berlin Wall

Aug 13, 1961

JFK chose not to challenge of the construction directly of the Berlin Wall.

JFK sends Advisors to Vietnam

Nov 22, 1961

JFK approves an action plan sending of U.S. military advisors to South Vietnam in response to internal corruption, divisiveness and mounting successes by the Viet Cong guerrillas weakening the South Vietnamese government of Ngo Dinh Diem.

Man of the Year

Jan 5, 1962

JFK is named "Man of the Year" by Time magazine.

Steel Price Decrease

Apr 11, 1962

JFK forces steel companies to stop price increase. In the days following, Kennedy strongly pressures the companies until they retract the increase.

JFK Bans Gender Discrimation

Jul 24, 1962

JFK orders executive departments and federal agencies to end discrimination against women in appointments and promotions.

JFK Bans Racial Discrimation

Nov 20, 1962

JFK issues an executive order to prevent racial discrimination.

Income Tax Cut

Jan 14, 1963

JFK calls for the biggest income tax cut in U.S. history in an effort to strengthen the economy during his State of the Union address.

Tries to Improve Civil Rights

Feb 28, 1963

JFK sends his first special message on Civil Rights to Congress proposing legislation strengthening the enforcement of the voting rights provisions of the Civil Rights Acts of 1957 and 1960 which aimed to increase minority voting participation.

Peace Strategy

Jun 10, 1963

FK announces a "strategy of peace" to end the Cold War in a commencement address at American University.

JFK Sends Troops to Alabama

Jun 11, 1963

After Governor George Wallace blocked the doorway for two African American students enrolling at the University of Alabama, JFK issues an executive order placing the Alabama National Guard into Federal service. The troops arrive on campus, and Governor Wallace steps aside.

Nuclear Test Ban

Oct 7, 1963

JFK signs the instrument of ratification for the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

Mental Retardation Act

Oct 24, 1963

JFK signs the Maternal and Child Health and Mental Retardation Planning Amendments to the Social Security Act.

JFK Assassinated

Nov 22, 1963

President Kennedy is assassinated in Dallas, Texas, by Lee Harvey Oswald.