Posted on May 23, 2016
By Traci Cothran
The anniversary of JFK’s birth occurs on May 29, and while saying the letters “JFK” evokes vivid scenes and images in minds of adults over forty, it doesn’t mean much to kids in school today. They may know he was our 35th President, but Camelot, Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, first Catholic President, the Cold War, Jackie O, and JFK’s assassination are likely unknown concepts.
JFK is a broad topic that encompasses many subjects, and here are a few ideas to begin with to get your students (or yourself!) better acquainted with this historic figure:
JFK’s Inauguration
- “Newsreel of President John F. Kennedy’s Inauguration.” Video. Thought Equity Motion Collections. Research In Context
- “JFK’s Inaugural Address.” Research In Context
Peace Corps
- “Establishment of Peace Corps.” John F. Kennedy. Social Policy: Essential Primary Sources. Global Reference on the Environment, Energy, and Natural Resources (GREENR)
Introduction of the Civil Rights Bill of 1964
- “History Features: Civil Rights Bill.” Video. History Features: Civil Rights Bill. Research In Context
Space Race and the First Man on the Moon
- “Space Race.” Astronomy & Space: From the Big Bang to the Big Crunch. Science In Context
Jackie Kennedy
- “JFK: A Presidency Revealed: Jackie Kennedy.” Video. JFK: A Presidency Revealed: Jackie Kennedy: First Lady. Research In Context
The Kennedy Assassination, in Historical Context
- “President John F. Kennedy Is Assassinated: November 22, 1963.” Global Events: Milestone Events Throughout History. World History In Context
Whether this leads you next to Khrushchev or Castro, other Presidential assassinations, or the New Frontier, there’s so much engaging history to learn. See what you can find out!
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About the Author
Traci Cothran is a manager in Gale’s Database Program and a history buff, so she can often be found watching videos from the early 1900s in Gale’s World History In Context.
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