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Robert F. Kennedy

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Robert Francis Kennedy was a prominent American lawyer and politician.

RFK BrooklineMass
RFK BrooklineMass

He was a major figure in the Democratic Party during the mid-20th century. Kennedy is often described as an icon of modern American liberalism. This means he supported social reform and government action to improve society. He held two very high offices in the United States government. He served as the 64th U.S. Attorney General from 1961 to 1964. Later, he served as a U.S. Senator representing New York from 1965 until 1968.

Kennedy was born on November 20, 1925, in Brookline, Massachusetts.

Kennedys1939Boston
Kennedys1939Boston

He was the seventh of nine children born to Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. His father was a businessman and a politician with strong connections. His mother was a socialite and a philanthropist. The Kennedy family was very active in the Democratic Party. Growing up, the family discussed history and current affairs at every dinner. This made public life feel like a natural extension of family life.

His path to leadership involved significant education and military service. Kennedy attended various boarding schools before entering Harvard University. He graduated from Harvard in 1948 with a degree in political science.

RFK 1948 football
RFK 1948 football

He later earned a law degree from the University of Virginia in 1951. During World War II, he served in the United States Naval Reserve. He served as a seaman apprentice on the destroyer USS Kennedy.

President Kennedy and his brothers. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Senator Edward Moore Kennedy, President John... - NARA - 194238 - Restoration
President Kennedy and his brothers. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Senator Edward Moore Kennedy, President John... - NARA - 194238 - Restoration

This period of service helped shape his character and determination.

Kennedy's political career began by supporting his brother, John F. Kennedy. He managed John's successful 1952 campaign for the U.S. Senate. He later gained national fame as chief counsel for the Senate Labor Rackets Committee. From 1957 to 1959, he challenged Jimmy Hoffa over corrupt union practices.

This work established his reputation as a serious legal investigator. He eventually left this role to manage John's successful 1960 presidential campaign.

As Attorney General, Kennedy held immense responsibility at a young age. He was appointed at age 35, making him one of the youngest cabinet members ever.

President Kennedy and his brothers. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Senator Edward Moore Kennedy, President John... - NARA - 194238 - Restoration
President Kennedy and his brothers. Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, Senator Edward Moore Kennedy, President John... - NARA - 194238 - Restoration

He was the closest advisor to President John F. Kennedy. During this time, he focused on fighting organized crime and managing foreign policy. He was heavily involved in matters regarding Cuba. He later wrote about the Cuban Missile Crisis in his book, *Thirteen Days*. He also authorized the FBI to wiretap Martin Luther King Jr. on a limited basis.

After the death of his brother in 1963, Kennedy continued his public service. He moved to New York to run for the U.S. Senate in 1964.

LBJ and RFK campaign 1964
LBJ and RFK campaign 1964

Despite being called a "carpetbagger" for moving from Massachusetts, he won the election. In the Senate, he became a vocal opponent of the Vietnam War. He also worked to help impoverished areas through the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration project.

Robert Kennedy and CBCC's Donald F. Benjamin
Robert Kennedy and CBCC's Donald F. Benjamin

He built relationships with leaders like Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez to fight for social justice.

In 1968, Kennedy launched a campaign for the presidency. He appealed to a broad coalition of voters, including the poor and young people. He also gained support from African American, Hispanic, and Catholic voters.

Rkennedy05
Rkennedy05

He was a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination. His main challenger during this race was Senator Eugene McCarthy. Kennedy's momentum was strong after he won the California primary in June 1968.

Tragedy occurred shortly after his political success in California.

SWPC-RFK-C020-010 (HQ)
SWPC-RFK-C020-010 (HQ)

On June 5, 1968, Kennedy was shot at the Ambassador Hotel by Sirhan Sirhan. The shooter was a 24-year-old Palestinian man. The act was reportedly in retaliation for Kennedy's support of Israel after the Six-Day War. Kennedy died 25 hours later on June 6, 1968.

His death remains a subject of intense analysis and many conspiracy theories. He is remembered as a transformative figure in American history.

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🖼️ Images & Media (25)
File:RFK BrooklineMass.png
RFK BrooklineMass.png
File:Kennedys1939Boston.jpg
Kennedys1939Boston.jpg
File:RFK 1948 football.jpg
RFK 1948 football.jpg
File:Robert Kennedy, Chief Counsel to the U.S. Senate's McClellan Committee, giving a briefing to the press about graft in Operating Engineers Union, Washington, D.C.png
Robert Kennedy, Chief Counsel to the U.S....
File:Cox, Hoover, RFK.jpg
Cox, Hoover, RFK.jpg
File:John F. Kennedy signs bills 1961.JPG
John F. Kennedy signs bills 1961.JPG
File:Robert Kennedy CORE rally speech2.jpg
Robert Kennedy CORE rally speech2.jpg
Photograph of White House Meeting with...
File:President with Attorney General. President Kennedy, Attorney General Kennedy. White House, Oval Office Doorway. - NARA - 194221.jpg
President with Attorney General....
File:JFK's family leaves Capitol after his funeral, 1963.jpg
JFK's family leaves Capitol after his...
File:Robert F. Kennedy and President Lyndon B. Johnson - 415-10-wh64.jpg
Robert F. Kennedy and President Lyndon B....
File:Robert Kennedy at the 1964 Democratic National Convention (cropped).jpg
Robert Kennedy at the 1964 Democratic...

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