In 1963, James Baldwin, MLK Jr., and a generation of activists reshaped the fight for freedom. Join historian Peniel Joseph to discuss his new book Freedom Season and how 1963 shaped JFK’s approach to civil rights. RSVP at: https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/forums/freedom-season

The American Constitution was signed #otd on September 17, 1787 in Philadelphia. 175 years later, JFK spoke to a group of students about how the Constitution was written in different conditions in which they lived now, and how it was important for people to work to make the Constitution work.

Today we remember Robert Redford for his substantive work in front of and behind the camera and steadfast advocacy for the environment and other causes. In 2014, Redford spoke at a #JFKForum on his career, friendship with Paul Newman, and protecting the planet for the future.

High school students, we want to hear from you: Enter the Profile in Courage Essay Contest for a chance to win up to $10,000! Open now through Jan 12, 2026 ⏰ 👉 Learn more: https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest

The Civil Rights division of JFK’s Justice Dept tracked voting rights violations on this map. Each pin represents a case they were investigating, and each color represents a different type of violation. #NationalVoterRegistrationDay rediscovering-black-history.blogs.archives.gov/2016/04/12/w...

On September 15, 1963, KKK members planted bombs in the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, AL that injured 22 people and killed four girls: Addie Mae Collins, Carol Denise McNair, Carole Robertson, and Cynthia Wesley.

#DYK: taking notes by hand helps you retain information better over typing! Put that theory into practice in our JFK journal featuring eight of his most famous and inspiring quotes. https://store.jfklibrary.org/products/journal-john-f-kennedy

Did you know Jacqueline Kennedy’s wedding dress was crafted- twice- by designer Ann Lowe? JFK Library Director Alan Price shares why this dress is more than fashion- it’s history.

September 12: a date with some meaning for John F. Kennedy September 12, 1953: JFK marries Jacqueline Bouvier in Newport, Rhode Island. film: DPS-17 (excerpt)

#OTD on September 11, 1962, Jacqueline Kennedy unveiled the architectural design for the National Cultural Center. Planning for the Center had begun during the Eisenhower administration and was championed by the Kennedys, who believed that the arts were “our contribution to the human spirit.”

🖖 Happy 59th anniversary #StarTrek! Four years before he played Spock on tv, Leonard Nimoy and his wife Sandra wrote to JFK asking for a safer planet.

Happy anniversary to @boston.gov, founded 395 years ago #otd on September 7, 1630! As a “city on a hill,” its leaders have left marks on the city over the years. Hear about some of Boston’s notable mayors, including JFK’s grandfather John “Honey Fitz” Fitzgerald: www.jfklibrary.org/about-us/soc...

September 10: join us for a free K-9 frisbee show with Mike Piazza & his Flying High Dogs at 6:00 p.m. The Museum will be open 5:30 - 8:00 p.m, with bonus pet-inspired activities as part of our Presidential Pets exhibit. Details: https://www.jfklibrary.org/events-and-awards/forums/flying-high-dogs

Remembering Patrick Hemingway, last surviving son of Ernest Hemingway, who passed away at age 97 on September 3. With his wife Carol, he was the guiding force for the Hemingway Collection at the JFK Library and championed the importance of literature in our lives.

Way before the 24-hour news cycle, the nightly news was 15 minutes long. #OTD on September 2, 1963, CBS News doubled that time to 30 minutes. This longer format was inaugurated with an interview between Walter Cronkite and JFK over Labor Day weekend

On January 17, 1962, President Kennedy signed Executive Order 10988 “Task Force on Employee-Management Relations in the Federal Service” which allowed federal employees to unionize for the first time (though it did not let them strike). www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer... #LaborDay

After the March on Washington, its leaders met with President Kennedy in White House. They discussed the march itself, civil rights legislation, and the need for action to ensure equality. Listen to excerpts of their meeting: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJFxPZDjIFr3_VhBQ7eiOdrW8qD_CZ07U

The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom took place an#otd on August 28, 1963. Organized by leading civil rights, religious, and labor groups, it culminated with Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech.

Ah back to school season - an exciting time for some, and a time for dread for others. Can you read a young JFK’s handwriting to see how he felt about heading into his senior year of high school? https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/kfc-053-001#?image_identifier=KFC-053-001-p0033

This summer, 27 students from Greater Boston joined us for the first-ever Kennedy-Breyer Civic Scholars program! In just one week, they explored how the three branches of government—legislative, executive, and judicial—work together to shape our democracy.

Celebrating all the dogs, large and small, and their owners who try to wrangle them for photos on #NationalDogDay. Watch more: https://www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer/archives/jfkppp-38

"America's health, morale, and culture have long benefited from our National Parks and Forests." - #JFKSaid, February 23, 1961 Happy anniversary to National Park Service, established #otd on August 25, 1916!

It might just be our favorite ‘holiday’ today: #NationalWaffleDay! When asked to provide a favorite recipe for fundraising cookbooks or articles, JFK would send along this recipe for waffles. Recipe: www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer...

"No nation, large or small, can be indifferent to the fate of others, near or far. Modern economics, weaponry and communications have made us all realize more than ever that we are one human family and this one planet is our home." - #JFKSaid, June 28, 1963

Science fiction writer Ray Bradbury was born #otd on August 22, 1920. Almost ten years after he published Fahrenheit 451, a slew of his books arrived at the White House – a gift from Bradbury for JFK and Mrs. Kennedy. Read about what he sent:

“Men and women came here from every corner of the world, from every nation and every race to live together as parts of one great, unified nation.” - John F. Kennedy, September 17, 1960 This week, 197 immigrants from all over the world took the oath of citizenship at the JFK Presidential Library.

The JFK Library houses a little-known but powerful piece of sculpture originally meant to be part of President Kennedy’s gravesite. The Library’s director recently spoke with the @whitehousehistory.bsky.social about this memorial in their podcast. www.whitehousehistory.org/the-white-ho...

This Wednesday is the last of the JFK Library’s summer Community Nights! Join us from 5-8 pm to explore the new exhibition, Presidential Pets with curator-led tours and rarely seen family film footage of the Kennedys and their furry friends. jfklibrary.org/CommunityNig...

Happy #WorldPhotographyDay! Did you know we have over 18,000 photos from JFK's presidency online? They cover official events in and outside of the White House, trips, social events, and JFK's family life. View them here: www.jfklibrary.org/search?sort_...

The 19th amendment was ratified #otd in 1920. It granted women the right to vote, but many black women, especially in the South, remained disenfranchised. JFK's Department of Justice brought cases to challenge arbitrary and racist rules to give all people the vote.

Actor Robert Redford was born #otd on August 18, 1936. In 2014, he visited the JFK Library to discuss his career, the environment, civil rights and the arts: www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRKe... #filmsky

Check out our new writing prompt, created in collaboration with the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. What problems should we work urgently to solve? Select pieces may be eligible for republication! ➡️ writetheworld.org/signup-page

August 13, 1961: The German Democratic Republic began building the Berlin Wall, dividing the city between East and West. Nearly two years later, JFK would visit the wall on his trip to Germany. More on Cold War in Berlin: www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-...

This month, we’re pleased to partner with @writetheworld.bsky.social to offer educational resources inspired by Prince William’s Earthshot initiative- rooted in President Kennedy’s moonshot. Ask your students to reflect on the question: What is your moonshot, and why? #Edusky

The birth on August 7, 1963 and death two days later on August 9 of President and Mrs. Kennedy’s son Patrick made news around the globe. Interviews with family, friends, and other associates give a glimpse of the private grief of a public family. (tw: death of a child)

Reminder that primary sources and archives exist! If you have a question about JFK (even as a simple as when was he president), there are real humans at the JFK Library who can answer your question: www.jfklibrary.org/archives/ask...

JFK's inauguration: watched on tv by approximately 60 million people.... and at least one cat. #InternationalCatDay #CatsofBluesky

#OTD on August 7, 1961: JFK established the Cape Cod National Seashore, protecting nearly 40 miles of shoreline to "preserve [its] natural and historic values." Our podcast on his decision to create not just one, but three national seashores during his admin: www.jfklibrary.org/about-us/soc...

On August 7, 1962, JFK awarded Dr. Frances Kelsey, a specialist for the FDA, the President’s Distinguished Civilian Service Award for “an achievement which just recently became public knowledge.” Her achievement? Preventing the approval of a drug that would lead to widespread birth defects. 🧵:

The Purple Heart was established by George Washington on August 7, 1782, to commemorate those who have been injured or killed in combat. 📸: JFK’s Purple Heart (and Navy and Marine Corps Medal) received "for injury received as a result of enemy action in the South Pacific Area."

In the early hours of August 2, 1943, the boat commanded by Lt.(j.g.) John F. Kennedy, PT-109, was struck by a Japanese destroyer. The collision killed two of his crew and stranded the rest. Find out what happened next: www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-...

Exciting news to end the week: the JFK Library is a Tripadvisor #TravelersChoice winner for 2025! (Meaning the JFK Library is among the top 10% of attractions worldwide on Tripadvisor.) Thank you to all of our visitors who left reviews, and to staff and volunteers who make each visit a special one.

Charlie was not only a First Dog, but the first dog the Kennedys had. He was said to be JFK’s favorite - even providing some stress relief during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Jacqueline Kennedy was born #otd on July 28, 1929 in Southampton, New York. During her time as First Lady, she hosted concerts for young people, presented musical and dramatic performances for visiting diplomats, supported the creation of a national cultural complex, and restored the White House.

On July 25, 1963, the US & USSR agreed to ban nuclear testing in the atmosphere, space, and underwater. The next day on July 26, Kennedy stated that a limited test ban "is safer by far for the United States than an unlimited nuclear arms race." Watch his speech: www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer...

At 10:00 pm on July 25, 1961, President Kennedy addressed the nation on the brewing crisis in Berlin, discussing the Soviet threat to West Berlin-- and the imminent threat of nuclear war. Watch his speech: www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer...

Pushinka (“fluffy” in Russian) was sent to the White House by Soviet Union Premier Nikita Khrushchev in 1961, complete with her own passport. See how other White House animals played paws-itive roles in international relations in Presidential Pets. jfklibrary.org/presidentialpets

Ernest Hemingway, writer and Nobel Prize winner, was born on July 21, 1899 in Oak Park, IL. In the 1960s, his widow Mary announced that his papers, photographs, and other materials would be donated to the JFK Library. And so the JFK Library is *the* place to research all things Ernest Hemingway!

July 20 is #NationalIceCreamDay! JFK was a big fan of ice cream; one friend said of him: “Oh, frappes! That’s all. Frappes! I’ve never seen a guy eating so many frappes.”* www.jfklibrary.org/asset-viewer...

In September 1962, President Kennedy declared: “We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” On July 20, 1969, his goal was achieved when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first men to walk on the Moon. #OTD