WHY WAS JFK SO SPECIAL?

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was the 35th President of the United States.  JFK served in the military during WWII, after which he turned to politics.  From 1947 to 1953 he represented Massachusetts in the U.S. House of Representatives.  In the 1960 Presidential election he defeated Richard Nixon.  This was the first televised debate, which was said to have won the election for Kennedy.  This was an important moment in history, being that it was the beginning of the importance of television in politics. JFK is famous for his line, "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country."  I found a great video describing the timeline of JFK, it's a little long but it really is a great clip...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vW2ryP16Vk

As far as foreign policy he didn't do so well.  Especially considering the Bay of Pigs disaster which really hurt his image.  He did, however, create the Peace Corps which is still in play today.  This was actually one of his first Presidential actions which really boosted his image in America and in the world.  Another significant role he played in foreign policy was the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, which the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Soviet Union signed initially.  Perhaps JFK is a little more famous for his role in domestic policy.  He became President when racial segregation was still taking place in schools.  JFK didn't like that and pushed for racial integration.  One famous thing he did was sending 400 Federal Marshalls and 3,000 troops to protect a few black students to attend school.   JFK is also well known for his involvement in the space program.  He attacked the idea of getting a man on the moon.  He had Congress approve 25 billion dollars for the Apollo Project.  

In all, JFK was a very well liked man, and President.  There was a movie made about him by Oliver Stone in 1991.  We even put his face on the U.S. half dollar coin since 1964 in memory of the great President.  When JFK was assassinated, the country was torn apart.  People cried, people were angry, and more than anything people could not believe that he was killed.  Today, scholars still point to the fact that JFK would not have been assassinated, he would have more than likely served a second term.  What is important about that theory is that, they say the Vietnam war would have been ended much sooner and he would have pulled our troops out immediately.  JFK was not a person who wanted to get involved in the affairs of other countries, out of fear of causing harm to America, and possibly involving them in a war.  I personally think JFK was one of the best Presidents the United States has ever had, and his legend will forever remain in the hearts and minds of the American people.