JFK Library Foundation

Neither the fanatics nor the faint-hearted are needed. And our duty as a Party is not to our Party alone, but to the nation, and indeed, to all mankind. Our duty is not merely to the preservation of political power but the preservation of peace and freedom. So let us not be petty when our cause is so great. Let us not quarrel amongst ourselves when our Nation's future is at stake. Let us stand together with renewed confidence in our cause -- united in our heritage of the past and our hopes for the future -- and determined that this land we love shall lead all mankind into new frontiers of peace and abundance.

These are the last lines of the last speech ever typed for President Kennedy, intended for remarks on November 22, 1963 at the Democratic State Committee in Austin, Texas.

The full speech: https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/jfkpof-048-023#?image_identifier=JFKPOF-048-023-p0003

On Friday evening while talking about the tragic death of President Kennedy you delivered a very short and poignant speech on the hate we Americans have been building up recently. I wish we might all read, re-read, and hear again your words and most of all heed them. Perhaps President Kennedy will not have died in vain if we could learn this one lesson of the futility of hatred. All reporters, announcers and commentators deserve a special word of praise for their coverage during this tragic period - and of course a special word of praise to you and your co-worker, David Brinkley.

After Kennedy’s assassination, NBC newscaster Chet Huntley spoke about the “ominous and sickening popularity of hatred” in the US. A viewer wrote to him, hoping that people would learn from his message.

jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/chpp-001-003#?image_identifier=CHPP-001-003-p0117

Jacqueline Kennedy carries a bouquet of red roses and walks next to John F. Kennedy on the tarmac at Love Field in Dallas, Texas.

On November 22, 1963, President and Mrs. Kennedy traveled to Dallas. As they rode through the city, shots were fired, and the motorcade rushed to the nearest hospital. At 2:38 pm EST, CBS television news anchor Walter Cronkite reported the president’s death.

Learn more: jfklibrary.org/November22

JFK and Jacqueline Kennedy, carrying a bouquet of yellow roses, greet people on the tarmac at Houston International Airport.

November 21, 1963: President and Mrs. Kennedy traveled to Texas for a 2-day visit. Though the trip was cited as nonpolitical, it also was meant to gather support for the 1964 presidential race.

Their schedule: jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/gjbpp-006-015#?image_identifier=GJBPP-006-015-p0030

Kimberly Atkins Stohr and Chris Matthews speak on stage for a forum at the JFK Library with a John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum banner in the background.

On the 100th anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy's birth, former MSNBC host and author Chris Matthews says there are still important lessons RFK’s legacy can teach today.

Watch our JFK Library Forum with Chris Matthews and Kimberly Atkins Stohr at https://www.youtube.com/live/geigdm3ZOu4

Group of people including two new citizens posing in front of the Seal of the President of the United States, holding a split flag of the USA and Brazil.

Tom O'Brien delivering a speech at a citizenship ceremony in front of a podium with the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation logo visible in the background.

New citizens at the JFK Library smiling and waving American flags at a naturalization ceremony.

Person holding a child standing next to another adult holding a citizenship certificate in front of the Seal of the President of the United States at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.

"Everywhere immigrants have enriched and strengthened the fabric of American life." -President John F. Kennedy, "A Nation of Immigrants"

This week, the JFK Library proudly welcomed nearly 200 new citizens from countries all over the world to take their oath of citizenship with their families.

An image of JFK pointing towards the camera. Text reads: “What does political courage look like to you? Submit a nominee for the 2026 Profile in Courage Award.”

Real courage deserves recognition.

Know someone who fits the bill? Nominate a leader today for the 2026 Profile in Courage Award:

https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/profile-in-courage-award/submit-a-nomination

JFK, hat in hand, stands outside the Dulles Airport with Najeeb Halaby, Federal Aviation Agency Administrator. Members of the press take photos.

On November 17, 1962, JFK and President Eisenhower dedicated Dulles Airport, the first airport in the world designed for jet aircraft. Its now-iconic main terminal was designed by architect Eero Saarinen.

https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/jfkwhp-1962-11-17-a

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and Museum Store will reopen to the public on Saturday, November 15, 2025.

In celebration of our reopening, the Museum is excited to offer free admission to all visitors through November 30.

Plan your trip: jfklibrary.org/PlanYourTrip

JFK on stage at the State Department Auditorium with Press Secretaries Pierre Salinger and Andrew Hatcher.

3rd page of the press conference transcript, with questions about JFK’s tax and civil rights bills and Vietnam.

President Kennedy gave his 64th - and what would be his last - news conference #otd on November 14, 1963.

He discussed:
The arrest of an American professor in the Soviet Union
The coup in Vietnam
Foreign aid

See more: jfklibrary.org/newsconference64

Congress has restored funding of appropriated activities. The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, administered by the National Archives, is working to restore full operations as quickly as possible. Please check jfklibrary.org for updates.

@kimberlyeatkins.bsky.social, senior opinion writer and columnist for The Boston Globe, will moderate the discussion.

Register: www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-a...

Kennedy Library Forums: Lessons from Bobby with Chris Matthews. November 20, 2025 at 7:00 pm ET

On November 20, join us for a free forum with Chris Matthews on the 100th anniversary of Robert F. Kennedy’s birth, as he discusses his new book, Lessons from Bobby: Ten Reasons Robert F. Kennedy Still Matters.

“On this day of remembrance, let us pray in the name of those who have fought in this country's wars… that there will be no veterans of any further war -- not because all shall have perished but because all shall have learned to live together in peace.” - President John F. Kennedy

#VeteransDay

Page from scrapbook that includes two photos of a PT boat, and photo of JFK with another person in the Solomon Islands.

Page from scrapbook that includes photos of JFK with his crew in the Solomon Islands.

Page from scrapbook that has clippings from news articles on the death of Joe Kennedy Jr. in August 1944.

Page from scrapbook that has clippings from news articles on the death of Lord Hartington in September 1944.

During #WorldWarII, JFK chronicled his experience in the Pacific theater of the war, as well as news and photos of his family members who served.

See the full album: https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/kfc-077-001

#VeteransDay

"Democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put a wall up to keep our people in." On November 9, 1989, the Berlin Wall came down, 28 years after it was built.

During his short trip to West Berlin in June 1963, President Kennedy visited Checkpoint Charlie, a crossing along the Wall.

Photo of Senator and Mrs. Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy. Mrs. Kennedy wears a tan coat with funnel neck and has her hands in the coat pockets. JFK wears a suit and holds Caroline, who wears a blue hat and coat and red pants and shoes.

#OTD on November 8, 1960, Senator John F. Kennedy was elected president in a close race, beating Vice President Richard M. Nixon by approximately 118,550 votes.

After casting his vote in Boston, JFK traveled to Hyannis Port to await the election results with his family.

📷: PX89-10

Jacqueline Kennedy approached the White House restoration as a scholarly pursuit, with a goal of sharing our nation’s history.

JFK Library Foundation Executive Director Rachel Flor shares how Mrs. Kennedy transformed the White House for generations to come.

Listen: jfklibrary.org/jfk35restoration

JFK, using crutches, speaks onstage in front of a group of women. His mother Rose, and sisters Eunice Shriver and Patricia Lawford, sit behind him.

On November 4, 1952, Representative John F. Kennedy beat out the incumbent Henry Cabot Lodge Jr. to become Senator for Massachusetts.

In the lead up to #ElectionDay, JFK campaigned with his family around the state. See these photos, recently added to our website:
www.jfklibrary.org/search?searc...

Remembering the last — and perhaps favorite — of Ernest Hemingway’s sons Few people can claim their birth informed the ending to one of the 20th century’s most iconic novels, writes Tom Putnam. But that was the case for Patrick Hemingway, who died recently at the age of 97...

Former JFK Library Director Tom Putnam pays tribute to Ernest Hemingway's last surviving son, Patrick, who passed away last month at the age of 97.

https://www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/2025/10/30/ernest-hemingway-patrick-hemingway-pen-hemingway-award-tom-putnam

Caroline Kennedy, in a witch costume and mask, faces the camera holding a small black cat. JFK sits behind her laughing with JFK Jr., in costume and wearing a mask and orange hat.

We're wishing everyone a safe and happy Halloween, full of treats and no tricks!

Halloween in the White House: https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/jfkwhp-1963-10-31-d#?image_identifier=JFKWHP-ST-C372-6-63

Nominations for the 2026 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award are now open!

Help us celebrate courage in leadership by submitting a nominee worth honoring: https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/profile-in-courage-award/submit-a-nomination

Everyone loves to trick or treat- even a first lady! JFK’s sister Jean Kennedy Smith reveals how Jacqueline Kennedy convinced her to “go undercover” with the kids in Washington, DC one Halloween.

Award-winning author Alex George delivers the keynote address.

This program is co-presented with The International Hemingway Foundation and Society.

Due to the government shutdown, this event will take place at the Campus Center at UMass Boston.

More on this event: jfklibrary.org/2025PENHemingway

PEN/Hemingway Award Celebration with Michael Deagler. November 2, 2025 at 2:00 PM ET.

On November 2 at 2:00, join us for the 49th annual PEN/Hemingway Award celebration at the Campus Center at UMass Boston. Seán Hemingway, Ernest Hemingway’s grandson, honors 2025 PEN/Hemingway Award for Debut Novel finalists and winner Michael Deagler, author of Early Sobrieties.

Revisit our podcast Atomic Gambit to learn what happened next: www.jfklibrary.org/about-us/soc...

Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara later said of the night of the 27th: “I remember leaving the White House at the end of that Saturday. It was a beautiful fall day. And thinking that might well be the last sunset I saw.”

Press release of JFK’s letter to Khrushchev on October 27, 1962 begins, “I have read your letter of October 26th with great care and welcomed the statement of your desire to seek a prompt solution to the problem. The first thing that needs to be done, however, is for work to cease on offensive missile bases in Cuba and for all weapons systems in Cuba capable of offensive use to be rendered inoperable, under effective United Nations arrangements.”

JFK and ExComm replied to Khruschev that night, and RFK met with the Soviet ambassador to the US to backchannel about Kennedy’s new proposal - the US would remove the Turkish missiles but it had to be kept secret.

Fidel Castro wrote to Nikita Khrushchev to bomb the United States before the US could bomb Cuba.

(The US also didn’t know these submarines had nuclear weapons on board until 2002.)