Harvard University Celebrates John F. Kennedy100th Birthday By Remembering JFK’s Legacies [Video]

Harvard University will host a symposium as part of the 100^th birthday celebration of John F. Kennedy. The 35^th president of the United States was an alumnus of Harvard University.

Among the invited speakers are his only surviving child, Caroline Kennedy and his great nephew, US Rep. Joe Kennedy III. Caroline Kennedy was former Ambassador to Japan while US Rep. Joe Kennedy III is the representative of Massachusetts. His journalist niece, Maria Shriver, daughter of his sister, was also among the speakers. The talks will focus on JFK's priorities while he was president and which are still relevant until today, the ABC News reported.

John F. Kennedy was elected president in 1961 but his term was cut short when he was assassinated in 1963. However, the legacies he left have their lasting effects not only to America but to the world.

JFK was known to prevent a possible nuclear war when he used diplomacy in dealing with the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. Cuba was being helped by Russia that time. It was discovered that Russia was sending soldiers and weapons to Cuba, with missiles directed to the US. Instead of retaliating or attacking Cuba, JFK publicly announced the presence of Russian missiles in Cuba and asked the Russians to remove them. This act stopped a nuclear war that could have destroyed the world, the BBC reported.

In addition, John F. Kennedy advocated civil rights and tax cuts. He wasn't able to see all these implemented because he was shot to death on November 22, 1963.

Today, the tax cuts and civil rights enjoyed by Americans and an America and a world left unharmed by nuclear war are the greatest legacies that John F. Kennedy left. He wasn't able to see these implemented but others after him pushed for tax cuts and civil rights, which Americans have been enjoying for decades. He passed away but his legacies continue to live.