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The Kennedy family name was not always synonymous with wealth, power, and politics. Uncover John F. Kennedy's life and paternal ancestry, to learn about the factors which made his presidency possible.

While he was often compared to his older brothers John and Robert, whose mystique captivated the American public, Ted Kennedy not only helped carry forth their legacies but carved his own on the American political landscape. Elected nine times, Ted Kennedy was one of the longest serving and most consequential senators in United States history.

Eunice Kennedy Shriver dedicated her life to the empowerment of people with disabilities. Her legacy lives on through the Special Olympics, which she founded in 1968.

President John F. Kennedy read voraciously throughout his life. As a child, he developed a love of reading from the recommendations curated by his mother, Rose Kennedy. He relied upon literature as a form of escape from his various illnesses, and continued to do so as an adult. In addition to reading extensively, JFK wrote several books on topics that shaped his life and worldview, such as military defense, immigration, and political courage.

John F. Kennedy served as a naval combat officer in the South Pacific fighting the Japanese following the attack on Pearl Harbor. His ability to make quick decisions under stress with the welfare of those around him would be put to the test like no other on a fateful August night in 1943. It was one of those moments he learned you do what you’ve got to do. He was lauded a hero for which he said "it was involuntary, they sank my boat".

John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy, commonly referred to by his initials JFK, was an American politician who served as the 35th President of the United States from January 1961 until his assassination in November 1963. He served in the US Navy with distinction during WWII. He was a pivotal figure in the American Civil Rights Movement and demonstrated leadership in times of crisis such as during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He was assassinated on November 22, 1963 in Dallas, TX.

On May 29, 2017, John F. Kennedy would have celebrated his 100th birthday. Commemorative efforts were made at his birthplace, and around the country, to honor him. Explore the presidency and legacy of this enigmatic American leader.

John Francis “Honey Fitz” Fitzgerald (1863-1950) was a Boston politician and grandfather to President Kennedy. Early in his life, fateful events led John Fitzgerald into politics. He served as a State Senator, a U.S. Congressman, and the first American-born Irish mayor of Boston, MA. His life, career, and legacy assisted and influenced the rise of John F. Kennedy.

Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. is a complicated figure with a variety of identities over the course of his life: a son, a brother, a student, a husband, a father, a financier, a film producer, and a public servant.

In a family where expectations ran high, Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy had especially high hopes for their first child Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. After Joe's birth, his grandfather John Fitzgerald, the former mayor of Boston, remarked to local newspapers that his grandson would grow up to be the first Catholic president of the United States. While Joe Jr. would not live to fulfill his family’s dreams, his short life was distinguished by ambition, bravery, and a strong commitment to family.