On this day
On November 8, 1960, John F. Kennedy won the U.S. presidential election, becoming the 35th President of the United States. Kennedy, a young senator from Massachusetts, defeated then-Vice President Richard Nixon in one of the closest elections in American history. Kennedy’s campaign, marked by his vision of a “New Frontier,” inspired a new generation and brought hope for progress on civil rights, space exploration, and global diplomacy.
Kennedy’s victory also marked a turning point, as he became the youngest elected president and the first Roman Catholic to hold the office, ushering in a new era of American leadership and optimism.
Photo credit: JFK Library Foundation