John F. Kennedy, Lyndon B. Johnson and The Civil Rights Acts

This week marked the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s inauguration. This is significant for African Americans as President Kennedy was the first 20th century president to propose legislation aimed at extending civil rights to African Americans. Although President Kennedy would be assassinated before seeing the passage of this legislation, his bold pronouncements on Civil Rights set the stage for President Lyndon B. Johnson, who would subsequently become a champion for the cause and “strong-arm” the Civil Rights Acts through Congress in the mid-1960’s. 

 

John F. Kennedy (1917-1963), the 35th President of the U.S.

 

Photo of the signing of one of the Civil Rights Acts, with Martin Luther King, Jr. in attendance.

 

 Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973), the 36th President of the U.S.