John F. Kennedy — Timeline
Key moments in the life of John F. Kennedy.
1917
Born on May 29 in Brookline, Massachusetts
1940
Graduated from Harvard University with a degree in International Affairs
1943
Commanded PT-109 in World War II; boat sunk by Japanese destroyer, Kennedy rescued crew
1947
Elected to U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts's 11th congressional district
1953
Elected to U.S. Senate from Massachusetts
1957
Won Pulitzer Prize for his book 'Profiles in Courage'
1960
Elected 35th President of the United States, defeating Richard Nixon
1962
Navigated Cuban Missile Crisis, bringing world back from brink of nuclear war
1963
Assassinated on November 22 in Dallas, Texas
1963
Succeeded by Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson