John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born in 1917 into a prominent Massachusetts family. From a young age, Kennedy demonstrated obvious intelligence, but he often struggled to apply himself fully in school. He nonetheless found his footing, eventually graduating from Harvard University, serving in the U.S. Navy, and, after returning home a World War II hero, doing a short stint as a newspaper reporter. At age 29, he won a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives; six years later, he was elected to the U.S. Senate.

In 1960, at the age of 43, Kennedy became the youngest person ever elected U.S. president. His leadership inspired the country during one of the most turbulent times in its history. He peacefully resolved the Cuban Missile Crisis, founded the Peace Corps, and put forward legislation that laid the groundwork for the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Unfortunately, he did not live to see the landmark law passed; Kennedy’s life was tragically cut short by his assassination in 1963 in Dallas, Texas.