John F. Kennedy Web Resources
Focus Workshop
September 29, 2007
  Website: Description:  

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/kennedys/

PBS – American Experience

Spend some time on this site!  Developed to accompany the film The Kennedys, this site has the program transcript, primary sources, and a list for further reading.  The ÒSpecial FeaturesÓ section offers historiansÕ views on Kennedy.  There is also a TeacherÕs Guide for lessons in history, economics, civics, and geography.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/health/
july-dec02/jfk_11-18.html

PBS

A transcription of a WILL-TV interview describing how sick Kennedy really was, with a disease called Addison's Disease.  This is a chronic illness of the adrenal glands, requiring steroids for years.  The youngest President of the US was probably in pain most days of his adult life.

http://www.jfklibrary.org/

John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum

This site is a great resource for teachers.  You and your students can click on ÒVirtual Museum TourÓ to find video clips and 360 degree views of the actual museum.  Under ÒReference DeskÓ youÕll find a variety of historical resources, including speeches of John, Robert, and Edward Kennedy, publications, and a picture gallery.

http://www.jfklibrary.org/Historical+Resources/
Biographies+and+Profiles/Biographies/
John+F.+Kennedy+The+35th+President+
of+the+United+States.htm

 

Same site as the one above, but this is a very thorough biography of Kennedy with images you can enlarge.  (Students might like to look at KennedyÕs school report card!)

http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/
presidents/jk35.html

The White House

 

From the official White House website, this page gives a good background on Kennedy for students doing research. 
http://www.whitehouse.gov/kids/
presidents/johnfkennedy.html 		Same site as the one above, but more appropriate for elementary students – a very brief background.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/
firstladies/jk35.html

The White House

The White HouseÕs biography of Jackie Kennedy

http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/specials/
articles/0,6709,713663,00.html

Time for Kids

 

Probably best for elementary students.  YouÕll find some Òfun factsÓ about the 35th President, students can quiz themselves on Kennedy, and there is a downloadable teacherÕs guide.

 

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/archives/colc.html

Library of Congress

 

This site gives some background into the Cuban Missile Crisis, as well as links to primary documents.

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/index.php
The American Presidency Project

This site, maintained by the University of California, Santa Barbara, contains 75,795 documents related to the study of the Presidency. Click on "documents" to find messages, papers, radio addresses, and more from presidents all the way back to Washington.

http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/jfk.htm

Arlington National Cemetery

The Arlington site includes background on Kennedy, the inscription on his gravesite, pictures, and stories describing the funeral.

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/
jfkcubanmissilecrisis.html

American Rhetoric

 

KennedyÕs Cuban Missile Crisis address to the nation.  This is a great one for you and your students to listen to as you follow along with the transcription.

http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/index.html

Library of Congress

 

Search all collections for John F Kennedy, and you'll find photos and documents (including a letter from Jack Ruby to his lawyer) for you and your class to examine.

http://www.history.com/genericContent.
do?id=53503

The History Channel

 

The History Channel's American Presidents site.  Click on the picture of Kennedy to find a timeline, biography, image gallery and a very comprehensive video gallery.  Great documentary clips for you and your students.