In Camelot There Reigned a Mighty King

Where were you when President Kennedy was shot? Captured in all its brutality on television, the assassination of the President on November 22, 1963 shocked the nation. It was such a defining moment in American history that most people vividly remember where they were and what they were doing when they first heard the tragic news.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy served as 35th President of the United States from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. Narrowly beating Richard Nixon, he was one of the youngest presidents and only Roman Catholic to date. His years in office were marred by the Bay of Pigs, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the building of the Berlin Wall, and the early events of the Vietnam War, according to Wikipedia. But at the time, those were not the events that defined the Kennedy presidency. Kennedy brought a new hope, a vibrancy, a youthfulness to the White House that was quickly embraced by young Americans, the formidable leading edge of the Baby Boomer phenomenon. "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country," reverberated with young Americans. Kennedy became an icon for a new generation of Americans and American aspirations. He urged us to spread peace by teaching others to help themselves and we joined the Peace Corps. He reached for the stars and we gladly followed, eventually landing a man on the moon. He embraced Civil Rights and we marched with Dr. King.

With his beautiful wife Jackie at his side and two small children playing underfoot, new life and vigor effused the White House. The President seemed more like one of us, coping with the same family pressures we did as he played with his children in the Rose Garden. Under Jackie's guidance, the White House became a place where culture and intellect were celebrated. White House affairs included the world's great thinkers and entertainers.

The Kennedy White House was likened to Camelot where enlightenment and joy reigned for a few short years. Despite the brevity of his service and the paucity of political accomplishments, Kennedy represented an idealistic time in America's history and is considered by many to be one of the most influential people of the 20th Century. He touched the hearts and souls of a nation, infused our youth with a spirit of mission and zeal, and seemed to embody all the best that was America. As Adlai Stevenson said after Kennedy's assassination, "all of us...will bear the grief of his death until the day of ours."

County Stamp Center offers many stamps commemorating the life of President Kennedy. Among them is the beautiful stamp shown above, issued by the Central African Republic. (Click the post title to order.) Visit our website to view additional stamps that pay tribute to John F. Kennedy and his presidency. Use our unique search feature to find what you want by category, key word, or Scott catalog number. Visit County Stamp Center for all your philatelic needs.