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Witness History: Kennedy’s nail-biter election victory

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Kennedy’s nail-biter election victory

22/11/2023 GMT

BBC World Service - Witness History, Kennedy’s nail-biter election victory

In 1960, John F Kennedy became the youngest person to be elected United States president.

In 1960, John F Kennedy pulled off a narrow victory over Richard Nixon in the race for the United States presidency.

On 22 November 1963, United States President John F Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.

Lucy Williamson looks back to 8 November 1960, when Richard Nixon and JFK went toe to toe at the polls in a battle to become the next president. The narrow success made Kennedy the youngest man ever elected to the role.

Close aide and speechwriter Ted Sorensen was with the politician on the night of the election. This programme was first broadcast in 2010.

(Photo: US President-elect John F Kennedy shortly after his election in 1960. Credit: AFP/Getty Images)

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