John F. Kennedy was born in 1917 in Massachusetts to a wealthy political family. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was elected as a Democratic congressman in 1946, serving for six years. In 1960, Kennedy was elected as the youngest president in U.S. history. As president, Kennedy navigated Cold War tensions and the Cuban Missile Crisis while advocating for civil rights and space exploration. His presidency was cut short when he was assassinated in Dallas, Texas in 1963.