America Is A Superpower

America is widely believed to be the greatest country on the planet. Many events in history have shaped America into the country that it is today. America is a superpower, but that comes at a cost. We have been to war both with ourselves and others many times; we have dealt with many conflicts, however the worst of these conflicts are the ones that take place on our very own soil. The assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, Pearl Harbor, the September 11th terrorists attacks, the Boston Bombing, these are just a few examples of the terror this country has faced. Many evil people do not want America to be the country that it is, which leads them making attacks at our country. One of the most infamous acts in American History is the murder
of President John F. Kennedy. Unlike Pearl Harbor or the September 11th attacks, this act was carried out by an American citizen.
Lee Harvey Oswald shot and killed the President of the United States of America, however he did not act alone, he was a part of something larger than himself.
1940, Harvard “Cum Laude” graduate. (The Harvard Crimson) 1941, member of the United States Navy. 1944, awarded the Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Corps medal. (History.com) 1947, member of the House of Representatives. 1953 United States Senator. 1960, At 43 years old the youngest and 35th President of the United States. (History.com) 1963, murdered by Lee Harvey Oswald. (Datesandevents.org) John Fitzgerald Kennedy is the subject of one of the biggest events in American history. John F. Kennedy was born to a very wealthy family. This wealth was founded in the illegal alcohol industry during the years of American prohibition. (Miller Center of Public Affairs) He married a woman named Jacqueline Onassis, better known as Jackie Kennedy, in 1953 (Datesandevents.org) and had four children. (Miller Center of Public Affairs) Outside his personal life, John F. Kennedy was a member of the Navy, despite having a medical issue that almost prevented him from being able to serve. After his
service ended due to his injuries to his back, he started his political life. (Miller Center of Public Affairs) He served in the House of Representatives from 1947 until 1953 when he was elected as a Senator of Massachusetts and remained at the position until 1960. (Datesandevents.org) He then went on to achieve the highest position in the United States (U.S.) Government, President. In one of the closest presidential races John F. Kennedy beat out previous Vice President Richard Nixon by a difference of 100,000 votes in 1961 as the democratic nominee to become the first Catholic president and also the youngest president at the age of 43. (USHistory.org) His heroism in World War II was a major key to winning over the media in the race. His campaign centered around Russia and Cuba being major threats, The 1960s Civil Rights Movement, the space race, and the population of poor people in America. (History.com) In 1962 after he was elected president, he dared to state that the U.S. would put a man on the moon before the end of the decade. At the time this was a very bold statement, but it did come to be true. (USHistory.org) In 1969 the U.S. landed on the moon, however it was six years after the death of John F. Kennedy, but his efforts played a large part in this magnificent accomplishment. Although short-lived, John F. Kennedy served as a good president, we are only left to wonder how much he could have accomplished had his presidency and life not been cut short He and his wife Jackie were one of the most loved couples in America. John F. Kennedy is still known as one of the most loved presidents in U.S. History. Jackie Kennedy is known to be one of the most loved First Lady to date. His service as the President lasted close to three years before he was assassinated in 1963.
John F.
Kennedy lived a life of wealth and accomplishment, the man who he will forever be linked to, lived on the other end of the spectrum, Lee Harvey Oswald (Oswald). Oswald was born in 1939, in New Orleans, Louisiana. His father died two months prior to his birth and his mom sent Oswald and his two siblings to an orphanage. She later joined her children but was never much of a parent figure having to work often. This was the start of the tragic life of Oswald. In 1856 he joined the U.S. Marines. Early in his service, he was known as an expert marksman, however over time that skill deteriorated. During his service he displayed signs of violence which led to being court-martialed twice in 1958. Not long after after he defected to the Soviet Union. In 1961 he married Marina Prusakova, they had a child and in 1962 Oswald brought Prusakova and their child back to the U.S.. His background matches that of other famous terrorists and assassinators. He lived a very troubled childhood with no father and not much of a mother. He was somewhat of a cast-out during his time of service. He had always exhibited violent behavior that all led to his notorious action. His assassination of the president will go down as one of the biggest events in the history of our country. He may be a loose cannon, but enough to decide to kill the president with no outside help or support? Oswald acting alone seems highly unlikely.
(Biography.com)
The headlines read “Kennedy is Killed by Sniper as he Rides in Car in Dallas; Johnson Sworn in on Plane”. The day was November 22, 1963. At 12:30 p.m. in Dealey Plaza in Dallas Texas, John F. Kennedy assassinated. After delivering an address outside the Hotel Texas in Fort Worth, Texas, he and his wife boarded Air Force One and headed towards Dallas. They were welcomed by the large crowds at Love Field. They got in their car and headed towards Dallas Trade Market. The car turned off Main Street at 12:30 p.m. and passed the Texas School Book Depository when gunshots pierced through the cheers. The Governor John Connally was shot in the chest along with The President of the United States of America who had been shot in the neck and head.