JFK Assassination at 50: Five Myths About Jackie Kennedy

The assassination of John F. Kennedy was the single most shocking, devastating moment of my life - and a seminal moment that changed not only the course of American history, but who we are as a people.  The only events that even compare with it are the attack on Pearl Harbor (before my lifetime) and the terror attacks of 9/11.

As we approach the 50th Anniversary of the assasination of President John F. Kennedy, I will write a series of posts about JFK, the time in which he lived, the people who surrounded him, and of course the assassination itself.  Some will be my own ideas, thoughts and recollections.  Some will be those of others.  Some will be a combination.  I will try to delineate between them.

I'll start with this. Jacqueline Kennedy ranks with Eleanor Roosevelt and Hilary Clinton as the most influential First Ladies ever, but for far different reasons.  Unlike Mrs. Roosevelt and Mrs. Clinton, who seemed more like political advisers and business partners, Mrs. Kennedy deflected any suggestion that she was a political adviser to her husband.

But she was - particularly on personnel matters.  

At only age 31 she became First Lady.  Over the next three years, Jackie Kennedy's charm, grace and style captured the imagination and hearts not only of a nation, but also of world leaders.  So much so that JFK referred to himself as "the man who accompanied Mrs. Kennedy to France."

The Washington Post recently put together a fascinating short article about five myths about Jacquelin Kennedy.  This article offers a glimpse of the remarkable young woman who captured the nation.

Here is a link to the article:  CLICK HERE