Log inStart free
John F. Kennedy

Politics and public service · United States · 1917–1963

John F. Kennedy Life & Career Timeline

War service, a new political generation, Cold War crises and an unfinished presidency.

18 MomentsGet your own timeline now — free
People
19171924193119381945195219591963
JFJohn F. KennedyPolitics and public service · United States
Born in Brookline1917Born in Brookline29 May 1917 · Massachusetts, United States
Graduates from Harvard1940Graduates from HarvardJune 1940 · Cambridge, Massachusetts
Joins the U.S. Navy1941Joins the U.S. NavySeptember 1941 · United States
PT-109 is sunk1943PT-109 is sunk2 August 1943 · Solomon Islands
Elected to the House1946Elected to the House5 November 1946 · Massachusetts
Elected to the Senate1952Elected to the Senate4 November 1952 · Massachusetts
Marries Jacqueline Bouvier1953Marries Jacqueline Bouvier12 September 1953 · Newport, Rhode Island
Profiles in Courage wins Pulitzer1957Profiles in Courage wins Pulitzer1957 · United States
Announces presidential campaign1960Announces presidential campaign2 January 1960 · Washington, D.C.
First televised presidential debate1960First televised presidential debate26 September 1960 · Chicago, Illinois
Elected president1960Elected president8 November 1960 · United States
Inaugurated as 35th president1961Inaugurated as 35th president20 January 1961 · Washington, D.C.
Peace Corps established1961Peace Corps established1 March 1961 · Washington, D.C.
Sets a Moon-landing goal1961Sets a Moon-landing goal25 May 1961 · Washington, D.C.Neil Armstrong
Cuban Missile Crisis address1962Cuban Missile Crisis address22 October 1962 · Washington, D.C.
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty1963Nuclear Test Ban Treaty5 August 1963 · Moscow, Soviet Union
Assassinated in Dallas1963Assassinated in Dallas22 November 1963 · Dallas, Texas

← Drag, scroll or swipe through the timeline →

About this timeline

About John F. Kennedy

John F. Kennedy served in war and Congress before becoming the 35th U.S. president, confronting Cuba, civil rights and the space race.

Page updated

Choose any Moment on the timeline to read its story, see why it matters and continue to the original source. Connected Moments open the other person’s timeline.

This public timeline is created and maintained by Memmie Editorial Team.

John F. Kennedy biography

John F. Kennedy timeline: key events

Explore 18 documented Moments in chronological order. Read the dates, locations and source references below. Where available, additional context explains why a milestone matters.

Massachusetts, United States

Born in Brookline

John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born into the family of Joseph and Rose Kennedy.

Source: www.jfklibrary.org

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Graduates from Harvard

His senior thesis on British policy became the published book Why England Slept.

Source: www.jfklibrary.org

Solomon Islands

PT-109 is sunk

After a Japanese destroyer struck his patrol boat, Kennedy led survivors to safety.

Source: www.jfklibrary.org

Newport, Rhode Island

Marries Jacqueline Bouvier

Their marriage became central to Kennedy’s public and family life.

Source: www.jfklibrary.org

United States

Profiles in Courage wins Pulitzer

Kennedy received the biography prize for accounts of political courage.

Source: www.jfklibrary.org

Washington, D.C.

Announces presidential campaign

The Massachusetts senator entered a closely contested election.

Source: www.jfklibrary.org

Chicago, Illinois

First televised presidential debate

Kennedy debated Richard Nixon before a vast national television audience.

Source: www.jfklibrary.org

Washington, D.C.

Inaugurated as 35th president

His address called Americans to public service and international responsibility.

Source: www.jfklibrary.org

Washington, D.C.

Peace Corps established

An executive order created a volunteer programme for service abroad.

Source: www.jfklibrary.org

Washington, D.C.

Cuban Missile Crisis address

Kennedy announced a naval quarantine after Soviet nuclear missiles were discovered in Cuba.

Source: www.jfklibrary.org

Moscow, Soviet Union

Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

The United States, United Kingdom and Soviet Union signed a treaty limiting atmospheric nuclear tests.

Source: www.jfklibrary.org
Martin Luther King Jr. timelineNonviolent organising, moral witness and the struggle for equal citizenship.Neil Armstrong timelineNaval aviator, research pilot, astronaut and the first human to walk on the Moon.
Independent public showcase

This educational timeline is not endorsed by or affiliated with John F. Kennedy or their representatives. Event text is original editorial copy based on the linked sources.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · Licence shown on source file

Schools, fan clubs & cultural organisations

Help maintain this public story.

Bring knowledge, archives and a community together around a carefully sourced timeline.

Apply to become its maintainer

Quick answers

About the John F. Kennedy timeline

Who is John F. Kennedy?

John F. Kennedy served in war and Congress before becoming the 35th U.S. president, confronting Cuba, civil rights and the space race.

How many moments are included?

This public timeline currently contains 18 sourced moments spanning 1917–1963.

Who maintains this timeline?

This public timeline is created and maintained by Memmie Editorial Team. Schools, clubs and cultural organisations can apply to become timeline partners.

Your life deserves its own story.

Bring your photographs, videos and most important Moments together in one beautiful timeline.

Start your own life story now — free