There were hundreds of thousands of spectators, twenty-one shootings, four assassinations, a nation and a world changed throughout the 1960s. The 1960s experienced many difficulties. Major ones include the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Robert Kennedy and John Kennedy. The consequences of all these deaths have greatly affected the United States and its people. Each of these men made a huge impression on a certain group in America for whom they broke barriers. The nation mourned and mourned them, and felt compassion for their families. These death streaks began in 1963 with the death of John F. Kennedy. John F. Kennedy was born in Boston, Massachusetts in 1917. He was one of nine children consisting of four girls and five boys; however, by his family he was known as Jack and not John. He went to Harvard to get his college degree. He held a naval position in the Army and was later decorated with Navy and Peace Corps medals (JFK Library). In 1956, John F. Kennedy was chosen to run for vice president because of his popularity as a successful politician; however, he decided not to run and instead wanted to run for president for the next term. John F. Kennedy was the 35th president of the United States; elected in 1961. He was the youngest man to be elected president at just 43 years old and was also the first Catholic. Many people viewed being Catholic as a disadvantage because they believed the Pope would have some influence over the President's decision if they were Catholic (Erickson, President JFK). Upon his election, he cited his most famous quote: “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country" (JFK Li...... middle of article...... Findlay: Jill Erickson, April 2014. Giokaris, John. Policymic. November 22, 2013. April 21 2014.—Policymic. November 22, 2013. April 21, 2014. Historynetwork. Malcolm History of the 1900s, May 10, 2014. Unknown SIRS Decades February 22. 1965. 2014 .