John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum

The time is now! ⏰ Students have 7 days left to share stories of political courage and inspiring leadership for the JFK Profile in Courage Essay Contest – all for the chance to win up to $10,000 for college!

Time is ticking, so hurry and submit your essay now: https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest

Attention visitors: the Museum will be closed on Wednesdays during January and February, except for February 21 during school vacation week.

Learn more about how to plan your trip: https://www.jfklibrary.org/visit-museum/visit/plan-your-trip

New year, new profile pic! Since we first got on social media way back in 2008 we have *never* changed our profile pic. We recently got some amazing beauty shots of the JFK Library so we decided it’s time for a glow up. What do you think?

Heads or tails?

JFK performed the coin toss at the start of the 1963 Orange Bowl, held on January 1. The University of Alabama and the University of Oklahoma faced off, with Alabama winning 17-0.

https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/jfkwhp-1963-01-01-b #?image_identifier=JFKWHP-ST-1-14-63

At the close of 1961, JFK sent Soviet leaders Khrushchev and Brezhnev a telegram, hoping that "the coming year will strengthen the foundations of world peace."

Whether you’re getting glammed up or staying home to ring in 2024, we hope you have a happy, healthy, and safe new year!🎇

The JFK Library will be closed on January 1, so we’ll see you on January 2 when we reopen!

https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/jfkwhp-1962-05-22-f #?image_identifier=JFKWHP-KN-C21919

We agree with Amb. Kennedy: Now more than ever, it’s essential to uplift and recognize the work of leaders who have risen above conflict to put progress over politics.

Ready to send in your nominee for the 2024 ? Visit the link in our bio to get started.

The are presents unwrapped, we've eaten too much food, and the guests have gone home. Does this mean we have to clean up now? 😥

Image:
A young girl runs in the East Wing Corridor strewn with unwrapped presents during a joint birthday party for Caroline Kennedy and John F. Kennedy Jr., 1962. https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/jfkwhp-1962-11-27-h #?image_identifier=JFKWHP-ST-A4-15-62

"It is the day when we remind ourselves that man can and must live in peace with his neighbors and that it is the peacemakers who are truly blessed." - President Kennedy, Remarks on Christmas at the Pageant of Peace Ceremonies, December 17, 1962

Image:
President Kennedy (at lectern) delivers remarks at the lighting of the National Christmas Tree during the National Capital Christmas Pageant of Peace at the Ellipse, President’s Park, Washington, D.C. AR7621-1T (photograph by Abbie Rowe)

Still looking for some last minutes gifts for your loved ones? Don't worry, JFK did some shopping on Christmas Eve!

https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/elpp-005-009 #?image_identifier=ELPP-005-009-p0051

A young child wrote to JFK, worried that nuclear weapons would hurt Santa. He responded that he had "talked with him yesterday,” and all would be well.

But what prompted this letter to the president? Find out how news of the world’s largest nuclear bomb sparked fears for Santa's safety in the middle of the Cold War.
https://jfk.blogs.archives.gov/2017/12/21/its-cold-war-outside/

❄️ Winter break is the perfect time for students to submit an essay for the Essay Contest™️.

We can’t wait to read the inspiring stories of leadership written by high school students across the nation.
https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest

Have you sent out holiday cards? In 1959, then-Senator and Mrs. Kennedy’s card featured a family photo with Caroline (John Jr. would be born the next year!).

Image: MRHPP-001-014-p0003

Students across the nation are submitting essays spotlighting acts of courageous leadership. These stories serve as a powerful reminder that history is made when the greater good is placed before personal interest.

Students can submit an essay before the January 12 deadline for the chance to win money for college 💰 → https://tinyurl.com/mw5kn75z

If you’re planning a trip to the JFK Library later this month, be sure you know our special holiday hours! The Museum closes early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, and is closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Plan your trip: https://www.jfklibrary.org/visit-museum/visit/plan-your-trip

For the first time, 200 nations of the world passed a climate agreement to curb the use of fossil fuels and reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

In President Kennedy’s 1963 address to the 18th General Assembly of the United Nations, he called on the world to change the world for the better.

“The Earth, the sea, and the air are the concern of every nation. And science, technology, and education can be the ally of every nation. Never before has man had such capacity to control his own environment, to end thirst and hunger, to conquer poverty and disease, to banish illiteracy and massive human misery.”

The countdown begins! Students can share a story of political courage for the chance to win a scholarship for college. This is an opportunity to not only dive into history, but also to prepare for your future endeavors. Time is ticking—submit your essay by January 12, 2024.

⬇︎Click the link below to submit your essay:
https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest

Have someone in mind who should win the 2024 ?

Here’s how you can make sure their name makes it to the list of nominees for 2024 – start at http://bit.ly/submit-a-nomination.

Last week announced the 2024 color of the year: Peach Fuzz! We were able to take a look through Jacqueline Kennedy’s wardrobe and find a dress in that color: this peach-colored silk dress she wore during her 1962 state visit to India.

https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/JFKWHP/1962/Month%2003/Day%2017/JFKWHP-1962-03-17-B?image_identifier=JFKWHP-ST-C117-20-62

Every year, the Essay Contest™️ gives students from high schools all across the country a head start at saving money toward college. Take it from these high school students who not only earned scholarship money, but learned valuable lessons on courage along the way:

✍️ In 2023, Jeremy Haynes from Mobile Christian School in AL wrote about Joseph Langan and his advocacy to protect the rights of Black Americans.

✍️ In 2022, Theodora McGee from Moorestown High School in NJ wrote about José Tomás Canales’s work on early reform.

✍️ In 2007, Maia Gottlieb from Baltimore City College High School in MD, wrote about Shirley Chisholm’s protest of a flawed system.

✍️ In 2005, Kevin Zhou from Monte Vista High School in CA wrote about CA district attorney Paul V. Gallegos’ stand against a powerful company.

To find even more inspiration in crafting a winning essay, you can read the full essays of Theodora, Kevin, Maia, and Jeremy (along with many others including Sec. Pete Buttigieg’s!) here: https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest

NEWS: Nominations for the 2024 Profile in Courage Award® are now OPEN!

While President Kennedy authored his Pulitzer Prize-winning book Profiles in Courage 65 years ago, the Profile in Courage Award® reminds us that political courage is not an idea from 1957 – it is alive and well today.

Today, we invite you to play a role in honoring President Kennedy’s legacy by recognizing political courage in today’s political environment.

⭐️ Spend 5 minutes today to nominate an elected official who has inspired you with their dignity and bravery: http://bit.ly/submit-a-nomination

Happy Hanukkah to all of those who are celebrating!

This menorah, inset with coral, turquoise and garnet, is in the Museum Collection at the JFK Library: https://jfk.artifacts.archives.gov/objects/10143/feast-of-lights-menorah

Today the country marks the anniversary of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor.

During his trip to Hawaii in June 1963, President Kennedy visited the USS Arizona Memorial and laid a wreath for those who perished in the attack.

More photos: https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/JFKWHP/1963/Month%2006/Day%2009/JFKWHP-1963-06-09-B?image_identifier=JFKWHP-KN-C28988