On September 12, 1953, John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Lee Bouvier were married in a lavish ceremony at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in Rhode Island. The bride wore an ivory silk dress with a bouffant skirt and a veil worn by her grandmother. The couple had a reception at the Auchincloss oceanfront estate with over 1,200 guests in attendance. Their first dance was to “I Married an Angel,” and they cut a four-foot-tall wedding cake. Life magazine published photos of the wedding, with one guest describing it as “just like a coronation,” foretelling the couple’s future in the White House.
After their wedding, which was the start of their journey to the White House, John and Jackie Kennedy settled in Washington, D.C. John pursued his political career, eventually becoming the 35th president of the United States. Jackie, born into a prominent New York family, had previously worked as the “Inquiring Camera Girl” for a newspaper in Washington, D.C. The Kennedys welcomed their first child, Caroline, in 1957, followed by John Jr. in 1960. Tragically, their third child, Patrick, died shortly after birth in 1963.
President Kennedy’s assassination on November 22, 1963, was a turning point in American history. While riding in a motorcade through Dallas, Texas, Kennedy was fatally shot by Lee Harvey Oswald. The first lady, rarely seen by his side during political outings, was with him during the fateful event. Kennedy was pronounced dead at Parkland Hospital, and his death deeply impacted the nation. Although he had been preparing for re-election, his presidency was cut short, leaving the country to mourn his loss.
After President Kennedy’s death, the first lady wanted his grave site to be accessible to the American public. Initially, it was planned for him to be buried in Massachusetts, but the new site at Arlington National Cemetery was completed in 1967. Jackie Kennedy lit an eternal flame at the head of his grave, which remains a poignant tribute to his memory. Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis was buried next to her husband in 1994, creating a lasting legacy for the couple who had captivated the nation with their grace and charm.
The marriage of John and Jackie Kennedy marked the beginning of a transformative journey that would see them rise to the highest office in the land. Jackie’s poise and elegance made her one of the most popular first ladies in American history, while John’s presidency was cut short by tragedy. Their legacy lives on in the hearts of the American people, who remember them as a couple who embodied the grace and dignity of public service. Through triumph and adversity, John and Jackie Kennedy remain symbols of hope and inspiration for generations to come.
