Etched in my memory is the ubiquitous footage of President Kennedy being shot and, later,  his solemn, stately funeral.  To understand the depth of disbelief and sadness from such a tragic time in American history, younger followers of our blog can relate to watching the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers.

Forever enshrined in myth by an assassin’s bullet, John F. Kennedy’s presidency has often defied objective appraisal.  On Monday, November 11, and Tuesday, November 12, WGBY airs this new portrait with a fresh assessment of the man, his accomplishments and his unfulfilled promise.  Beginning with Kennedy’s childhood as the privileged but sickly second son of one of the wealthiest men in America, the film goes on to explore his early political career, his successful run for the U.S. Senate, and the game-changing presidential campaign that made him the youngest elected president in U.S. history.  Watch a preview.

To help bring presidential history alive in the classroom, American Experience offers films from The Presidents collection and additional special features.  At PBS LearningMedia you’ll find JFK video and teaching tips for Kennedy’s Flexible Response to Communism as well as film and support materials for Cuban Missile Crisis:  Three Men Go to War:  Kennedy’s Speech.