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Us military
During 1961 to 1963, Kennedy increased the U.S. military presence in Vietnam. This expanded military aid to south Vietnam and increasing the number of U.S. advisors. It supported the overthrow of the south Vietnamese president Ngo Dinh Diem. -
Kennedy becomes president
He came in office on January 20, 1961. Kennedy beat Nixon by a margin of 303 to 219. He won the popular vote by 112,000 votes out of 68 million cast. -
Peace Corps
Kennedy issues executive order, establishing the peace corps as a new agency within the department of state. That same day he asked congress for permanent funding for the agency. It sent trained American men and women to foreign nations to assist in development efforts -
Bay of pigs
a brigade of about 1500 Cuban exiles landed at Bahia de Cochino's on the southern coast of Cuba. Kennedy wanted American involvement in the operation to remain convert. He made a decision to not provide American air support for the invasion making him appear weak. This decision stands out as one of his biggest mistakes -
Man on the moon
Kennedy announced a goal to send an American on the moon before the end of the decade. He felt pressured to have the United States "catch up to and overtake" the soviet union in the space race. -
Vienna summit
Kennedy prevented a nuclear war between the United States and the USSR. Kennedy told a New York Times reporter "Worst thing in my life." and "He savaged me.". The main problem was him not being prepared to take on Khrushchev at the June 1961 summit in Vienna. -
Embago trade with Cuba
He declared on proclamation 3447 an "Embargo on All Trade with Cuba". Kennedy did not impose a blockade, but he did initiate wholesale sanctions on the communist dictatorship that he called an embargo. -
Cuban Missile Crisis
The most dramatic parts of the event lasted 13 days. He learned that the Soviet Union was constructing missile launch sites in Cuba. Kennedy then lifted the blockade around Cuba after confirming that all offensive weapons have been dismantled -
American university address
Kennedy gave a commencement address at American university. He addresses relations between the United States and the Soviet Union and a nuclear test ban treaty. -
Civil rights
Kennedy responds to the threats of violence and obstruction on the university of Alabama. he states that the United States was founded on the principle that all men are created equal and thus, all American students are entitled to attend public educational institutions, regardless of race. He also mentions how discrimination affects education and public safety -
ich bin ein berliner speech
Kennedy traveled to Germany to denounce communism and express U.S. support for the people there. He declared "ich bin ein berliner" which made it one of his most remembered speeches. It translates to "I am a Berliner" -
The limited nuclear test ban treaty
The treaty was signed in Moscow on august 1963. Over the next 2 months, Kennedy convinced a fearful public and a divided senate to support the treaty. Kennedy signed the ratified treaty on October 7, 1963. -
JFK assassination
He was assassinated at 12:30pm while riding in a motorcade in Dallas during a campaign visit. He was shot in the neck and head. He was pronounced dead at 1pm. -
36th president
After JFK assassination, his vice president took over. Lyndon B. Johnson became the 36th president. He was sworn the next president on November 22, 1963, the day of the assassination