JFK

John Fitzgerald Kennedy is definitely one of my favorite presidents. He is one of the most revered and idolized presidents in the history of the United States. His charisma, charm, passion, and intellect are unrivaled by nearly no other president throughout history. JFK epitomized everything that is great about this country. His speeches inspired countless people, and continue to do so to this day. Despite the fact that he only served as head of state for only three years, he is still remembered as one of the most influential figures in the history of our nation. Everyone who was alive during his presidency tends to say the same thing; they remember exactly where they were and what they were doing when they found out that he was assassinated. His assassination was one of the greatest tragedies of the twenty first century. He was a young, handsome, and charismatic leader that was cut down in his prime. It was because of his assassination that he is seen as a martyr of sorts, and I think that that is one of the main things that make him as significant as he was. I'll never forget the first time I saw the footage of his assassination. I'll never forget the horror of seeing such an amazing person suffer such a gruesome fate. The sight of Jackie Kennedy frantically trying to get out of the car, and knowing how that event scarred her, as well as the rest of the nation is something that needs to be taught in history classes now, and for the rest of time. Many politicians like to be compared to JFK, and I think the reason for that is that he represented the pride, optimism, and bright future that this nation has the capability to achieve. During his presidency, he steered us out of the path of world war three, he put a man on the moon, and he gave countless speeches that captured the hearts of millions around the world. During the Cuban missile crisis, John Kennedy proved his metal by standing up to the Soviet Union, holding his ground, and showing the world that despite his youth, he was a more than capable leader who wouldn't back down easily. That's not to say that he was a perfect president. He was a notorious philanderer and of course there was the infamous bay of pigs debacle, but as an adult, I recognize that there is no such thing as a perfect leader, and we need to realize that no matter how amazing one individual might be, no one is free from faults. JFK is definitely at least in my top five favorite presidents, others include FDR, Lincoln, and Washington, but he's absolutely up there. Flawed as he may have been, he was a president that will always be held dear to the heart of not only Americans, but of people all over the world.