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About This Quiz
Every American knows what JFK stands for. Do you? We're sure you do! This quiz is all about John F. Kennedy. Are you ready for Camelot?
JFK is perhaps one of the most controversial presidents America has ever had, yet he is also one of the most memorable (and definitely one of the most intriguing) both professionally and personally. Coming from a long line of politicians in the Kennedy clan, JFK possessed the wit, charm and intelligence that a statesman ought to have. His decorum and charisma won many hearts in a nation divided by issues that, long after his assassination, persist to this day. Are you familiar with some of these issues? You can find out by taking this quiz.
And speaking of John F. Kennedy, we wouldn't be painting a complete picture if we didn't mention Jackie, his lovely partner in a too-short life and another intriguing historical figure herself. His other relatives and family members are mentioned here, as well. Can you name some of them?
There may never be another American Camelot, but it shouldn't be hard to remember the details about this modern King Arthur and his court. Are you ready to find out how much you really know?
What was John F. Kennedy's middle name?
Francis
Fitzgerald
John F. Kennedy's middle name was Fitzgerald. JFK's mother was born Rose Elizabeth Fitzgerald, so his middle name was a nod to her maiden name.
Fitzpatrick
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John F. Kennedy is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
True
On Nov. 25, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on the slope just below Arlington House. His brother, Robert F. Kennedy was buried nearby.
False
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What was the name of the commission appointed to investigate the assassination of John F. Kennedy?
The Johnson Commission
The Kennedy Commission
The Warren Commission
President Lyndon Johnson, Kennedy's successor, established a commission to investigate the assassination of President Kennedy. The commission was led by U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren and was called the Warren Commission.
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In October 1962, John F. Kennedy successfully negotiated the removal of what from Cuba?
Soviet troops
Soviet ships
Soviet ballistic nuclear missiles
In October 1962, John F. Kennedy successfully negotiated the removal of Soviet ballistic nuclear missiles from Cuba, bringing a peaceful end to the Cuban Missile Crisis. It was the end of a 13-day standoff between the United States and the Soviet Union.
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What childhood illness resulted in the hospitalization of John F. Kennedy?
Scarlet fever
John F. Kennedy was hospitalized for nearly a month with scarlet fever when he was nearly 3 years old. This was one of many medical problems that JFK would face throughout his life.
Chickenpox
Mumps
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Which presidential candidate did John F. Kennedy face in the first-ever televised presidential debate in 1960?
Richard Nixon
On Sept. 26, 1960, presidential candidates John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon faced-off in the first-ever televised presidential debate. Nixon originally refused to wear any stage makeup for the broadcast, but ended up wearing a product called Lazy Shave to help cover his five o'clock shadow.
Lyndon B. Johnson
Hubert Humphrey
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Who was the incumbent U.S. senator from Massachusetts that John F. Kennedy defeated in the 1952 election?
David I. Walsh
Henry Cabot Lodge Jr.
John F. Kennedy defeated the incumbent, Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., for the Senate seat in Massachusetts in the 1952 election. Cabot Lodge Jr. was a three -term Republican incumbent.
Benjamin Smith
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What was the title of the book John F. Kennedy wrote while recovering from back surgery?
"Political Pride"
"Peace and Politics"
"Profiles in Courage"
While recovering from back surgery, John F. Kennedy wrote the book "Profiles in Courage." Kennedy was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for the book in 1957.
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What legislation did John F. Kennedy introduce to congress in June 1963?
An unemployment bill
A civil rights bill
In June 1963, John F. Kennedy introduced a civil rights bill to Congress. Kennedy's bill was passed as the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The passage came shortly after his death.
An income tax bill
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What severe injury did John F. Kennedy suffer as a result of the sinking of PT 109?
Leg injury
Back injury
John F. Kennedy suffered a severe back injury as a result of saving a wounded crewman after the sinking of PT 109, a malady that would cause him discomfort for years. However, JFK likely injured his back while he was still a student at Harvard.
Abdominal injury
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John F. Kennedy authorized 1,500 CIA-trained refugees to invade which Cuban bay?
Bay of Pigs
On April 15, 1961, John F. Kennedy authorized 1,500 CIA-trained Cuban refugees to invade Cuba at the Bay of Pigs. By all accounts, the mission was a failure.
Guantánamo Bay
Bay of Santa Clara
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What was Jacqueline Kennedy's maiden name?
Shriver
Onassis
Bouvier
Before marrying John F. Kennedy on Sept. 12, 1953, Jacqueline Kennedy's maiden name was Bouvier. She only became Jackie Onassis after JFK's death, when she married Aristotle Onassis, a Greek shipping magnate.
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Which organization did John F. Kennedy create to provide aid to people of impoverished foreign countries?
World Health Organization
The International Red Cross
The Peace Corps
John F. Kennedy created the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961, to provide aid to people of impoverished foreign countries. JFK first made the idea for the Peace Corps public at a campaign speech at the University of Michigan.
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In his 1952 bid for the U.S. Senate, John F. Kennedy appointed his younger brother, Robert, as campaign manager.
True
John F. Kennedy appointed his younger brother, Robert, as campaign manager during his 1952 bid to become a U.S. senator. One journalist called the campaign "…the most disciplined and smoothly working statewide campaign in Massachusetts history -- and possibly anywhere else."
False
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Which nickname was not used to refer to John F. Kennedy?
Johnny
The nickname "Johnny" was not used to refer to John F. Kennedy. He was, however, often referred to as "Jack." Following his presidency, "JFK" also became a popular moniker.
Jack
JFK
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How old was John F. Kennedy when he died?
46
John F. Kennedy was 46 years old when he died as the result of an assassination on Nov. 22, 1963. Roughly 250,000 people went to see his casket as he lay in state in the Capitol Rotunda.
48
50
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On January 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy was sworn-in as which president?
33rd
35th
On Jan. 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy was sworn-in as the 35th president of the United States. Robert Frost read a poem at the inauguration ceremony.
37th
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In April, 1943, John F. Kennedy took command of which naval vessel?
PT 109
John F. Kennedy took command of the naval vessel PT 109 in April 1943. The boat was struck by a Japanese destroyer early on the morning of August 2, 1943 and subsequently sank.
BB 109
DD 109
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Which potentially fatal illness was John F. Kennedy diagnosed with in 1947?
Addison's disease
John F. Kennedy was diagnosed with Addison's disease in 1947. Patients with Addison's disease can develop a potentially fatal disorder called adrenal failure when their adrenal glands stop making necessary hormones and steroids.
Graves' disease
Hashimoto's disease
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How many siblings did John F. Kennedy have?
Four
Six
Eight
Joseph and Rose Kennedy had nine children --four sons and five daughters -- thereby giving John F. Kennedy eight siblings. Four of his siblings held some form of political office, including senator and ambassador.
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How many children did JFK and Jacqueline Kennedy have?
Three
JFK and Jacqueline Kennedy had three children: Caroline, John Jr. and Patrick. Patrick was born prematurely and died just 39 hours after birth. The cause of death was a respiratory disorder.
Two
One
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Which presidential candidate nearly selected John F. Kennedy as his running mate in 1956?
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Adlai Stevenson
In 1956, presidential candidate, Adlai Stevenson, nearly selected Kennedy as his running mate for vice president. Stevenson instead chose Sen. Estes Kefauver of Tennessee, and the pair lost the election.
Richard Nixon
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What was the title of the book authored by John F. Kennedy?
"Why England Slept"
John F. Kennedy's senior Harvard thesis titled, "Appeasement at Munich," was published as the book, "Why England Slept," in 1940. It focuses on England's lack of action as Nazi Germany was rising to power.
"Appeasement"
"England and Germany"
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Which East Coast private boarding school did John F. Kennedy attend?
The Taft School
The Hotchkiss School
The Choate School
John F. Kennedy attended The Choate School in Wallingford, Connecticut, which was a private college-preparatory boys' boarding school. He graduated 65th is his class of 110 students.
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When did John F. Kennedy graduate from Harvard University?
1938
1940
John F. Kennedy graduated from Harvard University with a degree in international affairs in June 1940. While he was there, he played on the school's football team.
1942
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When was John F. Kennedy born?
1917
John F. Kennedy was born on May 29, 1917, to Joseph and Rose Kennedy. He was the second oldest child in the family.
1919
1921
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Which year was John F. Kennedy elected to the U.S. House of Representatives?
1950
1948
1946
John F. Kennedy was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1946 and began his service in 1947. He served until 1953.
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John F. Kennedy's brother, Joseph Jr., died flying which plane during World War II?
B-17 Flying Fortress
B-24 Liberator
John F. Kennedy's older brother, Joseph Jr., died flying a B-24 Liberator during World War II. The plane's munitions exploded prematurely, killing both him and Lieutenant Wilford John Willy.
P-51 Mustang
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John F. Kennedy was born in Boston, Massachusetts.
True
False
John F. Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts. Brookline borders the city of Boston and was incorporated as an independent city in 1705.
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John F. Kennedy enlisted into which military branch in 1941?
Air Force
Army
Navy
In 1941, John F. Kennedy enlisted in the U.S. Navy, embarking on a military career that would eventually lead him to the highest office in America. While he was in the Navy, he commanded a Patrol Torpedo Craft.
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