JFPortrait comingOfficial portrait of John F. Kennedy
35th president of the United States · 1961–1963

John F. Kennedy

DemocraticVice president: Lyndon B. JohnsonAssassinated November 22, 1963

The youngest person elected president. His 1,036 days in office included the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, the Cuban Missile Crisis, the start of the race to the moon and a growing U.S. role in Vietnam. He was assassinated in Dallas on November 22, 1963.

Debt added
+$19.53billion
$286.33 billion → $305.86 billion (+7%)
Debt-to-GDP, latest
49%
FY1960: 54% → FY1963: 49%
Unemployment
5.7%
Jan 1961: 6.6% → Nov 1963: 5.7%
Average inflation
1.1%a year
1960–1963: 1.1% a year
Executive orders
214
About 75 a year in office
Pardons & commutations
572
472 pardons · 100 commutations
Impeached
No
No · Convicted of a crime: No

The economy, first day to last

Shaded areas show the years in office, with a few years before and after for comparison. Budget years ran July to June until 1976 (now October to September), so each year's figures cover parts of two calendar years.

National debt

June 30, 1960 (end of fiscal 1960): $286.33 billion → June 30, 1963 (end of fiscal 1963): $305.86 billion

Daily debt figures don't exist before 1993, so Kennedy's numbers use the fiscal years closest to his term.

Debt compared with the economy

Debt as a share of GDP. Above 100% means the debt is bigger than a year of everything the country produces.

Deficits and surpluses

Money borrowed each budget year (below the line) or paid down (above).

DeficitSurplus

Unemployment

Jan 1961: 6.6% → Nov 1963: 5.7%. Monthly rates; the chart shows yearly averages.

Inflation

How much prices rose each year (consumer price index).

Cost of living

What everyday prices and paychecks did while in office.

What cost $100 in 1960$103.38 in 1963
Federal minimum wage, 1961 → 1963$1.00 → $1.25

Prices use the consumer price index (MeasuringWorth). The minimum wage is the federal rate set by Congress.

Executive orders

214 orders, numbered 10914–11127.

Orders signed each year

Source: National Archives: Kennedy executive orders (full list of every order).

Notable orders

Creating the Peace CorpsEO 10924March 1, 1961

Set up the Peace Corps; Congress made it permanent later that year.

Federal Register
'Affirmative action' for contractorsEO 10925March 6, 1961

The first federal order to use the phrase 'affirmative action', requiring contractors not to discriminate by race, creed, color or national origin.

Federal Register
Commission on the Status of WomenEO 10980December 14, 1961

Created a commission, chaired by Eleanor Roosevelt, whose report led to equal pay laws.

Federal Register
Unions for federal workersEO 10988January 17, 1962

Gave federal employees the right to join unions and bargain collectively.

Federal Register
Equal opportunity in housingEO 11063November 20, 1962

Banned discrimination in federally funded housing.

Federal Register
Silver certificatesEO 11110June 4, 1963

A routine order on issuing silver-backed currency, later the subject of false conspiracy theories about his assassination.

Federal Register
Every executive order 214Search, filter by topic or year, and open any order's full text
  1. EO 10914January 21, 1961Providing for an Expanded Program of Food Distribution to Needy Families
  2. EO 10915January 24, 1961Amending Prior Executive Orders to Provide for the Responsibilities of the Director of the Food-for-Peace Program
  3. EO 10916January 24, 1961Inspection of Income, Estate, and Gift Tax Returns by the Senate Committee on Government Operations
  4. EO 10917February 10, 1961Abolishing Certain Committees on Government Organization and Management Improvement
  5. EO 10918February 16, 1961Establishing the President's Advisory Committee on Labor-Management Policy
  6. EO 10919February 17, 1961Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate a Dispute Between the Pan American World Airways, Inc., and Certain of its Employees
  7. EO 10920February 18, 1961Revoking Executive Order No. 10700 of February 25, 1957, as Amended (Operations Coordinating Board)
  8. EO 10921February 21, 1961Establishing a Commission to Inquire Into a Controversy Between Certain Air Carriers and Certain of Their Employees
  9. EO 10922February 23, 1961Amending Executive Order 10922 of February 21, 1961, Establishing a Commission to Inquire Into a Controversy Between Certain Air Carriers and Certain of Their Employees
  10. EO 10923February 24, 1961Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate Disputes Between the Northwest Airlines, Inc., and Certain of its Employees
  11. EO 10924March 1, 1961Establishment and Administration of the Peace Corps in the Department of State
  12. EO 10925March 6, 1961Establishing the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity
  13. EO 10926March 18, 1961Amending Executive Order No. 10919, February 17, 1961, to Extend the Time Within Which the Board Created Therein, to Investigate a Dispute Between Pan American World Airways, Inc., and Certain of its Employees, Shall Report its Findings to the President
  14. EO 10927March 18, 1961Abolishing the President's Committee on Fundraising Within the Federal Service and Providing for the Conduct of Fundraising Activities
  15. EO 10928March 23, 1961Abolishing the Committee on Government Activities Affecting Prices and Costs
  16. EO 10929March 24, 1961Establishing a Commission to Inquire Into a Controversy Between Certain Carriers and Certain of Their Employees
  17. EO 10930March 24, 1961Abolishing the Government Patents Board and Providing for the Performance of its Functions
  18. EO 10931March 29, 1961Amendment of Section 1 of Executive Order No. 10673, Establishing the President's Council on Youth Fitness
  19. EO 10932April 7, 1961Modifying the Exterior Boundaries of Certain National Forests in Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin
  20. EO 10933April 12, 1961Amending Executive Order No. 10923, February 24, 1961, to Extend the Time Within Which the Board Created Therein, to Investigate Disputes Between Northwest Airlines, Inc., and Certain of its Employees, Shall Report its Findings to the President
  21. EO 10934April 13, 1961Establishing the Administrative Conference of the United States
  22. EO 10935April 22, 1961Inspection of Income, Excess-Profits, Estate, and Gift Tax Returns by the Committee on Un-American Activities, House of Representatives
  23. EO 10936April 24, 1961Reports of Identical Bids
  24. EO 10937May 3, 1961Amendment of Executive Order No. 10472, Establishing the National Agricultural Advisory Commission
  25. EO 10938May 4, 1961Establishing the President's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board
  26. EO 10939May 5, 1961To Provide a Guide on Ethical Standards to Government Officials
  27. EO 10940May 11, 1961Establishing the President's Committee on Juvenile Delinquency and Youth Crime
  28. EO 10941May 15, 1961Designation of Certain Officers to Act as Secretary of the Treasury
  29. EO 10942May 19, 1961Amendment of Executive Order No. 10849, Establishing a Seal for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  30. EO 10943May 19, 1961Designating the Coffee Study Group as a Public International Organization Entitled to Enjoy Certain Privileges, Exemptions, and Immunities
  31. EO 10944May 19, 1961Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate a Dispute Between the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company and Other Carriers and Certain of Their Employees
  32. EO 10945May 24, 1961Administration of the Export Control Act of 1949
  33. EO 10946May 26, 1961Establishing a Program for Resolving Labor Disputes at Missile and Space Sites
  34. EO 10947June 12, 1961Inspection of Income, Excess-Profits, Estate, and Gift Tax Returns by the House Committee on Public Works
  35. EO 10948June 12, 1961Establishing a Commission to Inquire Into a Controversy Between Certain Carriers Represented by the New York Harbor Carriers' Conference Committee and Certain of Their Employees
  36. EO 10949June 26, 1961Creating a Board of Inquiry to Report on a Labor Dispute Affecting the Maritime Industry of the United States
  37. EO 10950June 27, 1961Designating the Secretary of the Interior as the Representative of the President to Approve Selections by the State of Alaska of Public Lands Lying North and West of the National Defense Withdrawal Line
  38. EO 10951June 29, 1961Amending Executive Order No. 10949, June 26, 1961, to Extend the Time Within Which the Board of Inquiry Created Therein, to Inquire Into the Issues Involved in a Labor Dispute Affecting the Maritime Industry, Shall Report to the President
  39. EO 10953July 1, 1961Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate a Dispute Between the Southern Pacific Company (Pacific Lines) and Certain of its Employees
  40. EO 10952July 20, 1961Assigning Civil Defense Responsibilities to the Secretary of Defense and Others
  41. EO 10954July 26, 1961Amendment of Executive Order 10906, Authorizing Inspection of Certain Tax Returns
  42. EO 10955July 31, 1961Administration of Assistance in the Development of Latin America and in the Reconstruction of Chile
  43. EO 10956August 10, 1961Amendment of Executive Order No. 10841, Relating to International Cooperation Under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as Amended
  44. EO 10957August 10, 1961Assigning Authority With Respect to Ordering Persons and Units in the Ready Reserve to Active Duty and With Respect to the Extension of Enlistments and Other Periods of Service in the Armed Forces
  45. EO 10958August 14, 1961Delegating Functions With Respect to Civil Defense Stockpiles of Medical Supplies and Equipment and Food
  46. EO 10959August 17, 1961Authorizing the Appointment of Mr. Maurice L. Kowal to a Competitive Position Without Regard to the Civil Service Rules and Regulations
  47. EO 10960August 21, 1961Amendment of Executive Order No. 10530, Providing for the Performance of Certain Functions Vested in or Subject to the Approval of the President
  48. EO 10961August 21, 1961Providing Procedures for the Award of the National Medal of Science
  49. EO 10962August 23, 1961Inspection of Tax Returns by the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations
  50. EO 10963September 1, 1961Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate Disputes Between the Pullman Company and the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Company and Certain of Their Employees
  51. EO 10964September 20, 1961Amendment to Executive Order 10501—Safeguarding Official Information in the Interests of the Defense of the United States
  52. EO 10965October 5, 1961Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate a Dispute Between the Trans World Airlines, Inc., and Certain of its Employees
  53. EO 10966October 10, 1961Inspection of Income, Excess-Profits, Estate, and Gift Tax Returns by the Committee on Government Operations, House of Representatives
  54. EO 10967October 10, 1961Administration of Palmyra Island
  55. EO 10968October 10, 1961Amendment of Executive Order No. 10858, Relating to the President's Committee for Traffic Safety
  56. EO 10969October 11, 1961Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate a Dispute Between the Reading Company and Certain of its Employees
  57. EO 10970October 27, 1961Delegating Certain Authority of the President to Establish Maximum Per Diem Rates for Government Personnel in Travel Status
  58. EO 10971November 1, 1961Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate a Dispute Between Trans World Airlines, Inc., and Certain of its Employees
  59. EO 10972November 3, 1961Administration of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, as Amended
  60. EO 10973November 3, 1961Administration of Foreign Assistance and Related Functions
  61. EO 10974November 8, 1961Establishing the President's Commission on Campaign Costs
  62. EO 10975November 10, 1961Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate a Dispute Between Pan American World Airways, Inc., and Certain of its Employees
  63. EO 10976November 15, 1961Suspension of the Eight-Hour Law as to Laborers and Mechanics Employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  64. EO 10977December 4, 1961Establishing the Armed Forces Expeditionary MedalAmended
  65. EO 10978December 5, 1961Establishing Presidential Awards for Significant Contributions to the Export Expansion Program
  66. EO 10979December 12, 1961Amendment of Executive Order No. 10717, Establishing the President's Award for Distinguished Federal Civilian Service
  67. EO 10980December 14, 1961Establishing the President's Commission on the Status of Women
  68. EO 10982December 25, 1961Administration of the Act of September 26, 1961, Relating to Evacuation Payments, Assignments, and Allotments, and Other Matters
  69. EO 10981December 28, 1961Inspection of Income, Excess-Profits, Estate, and Gift Tax Returns by the Senate Committee on the Judiciary
  70. EO 10983December 30, 1961Designating the Caribbean Organization as a Public International Organization Entitled to Enjoy Certain Privileges, Exemptions, and Immunities
  71. EO 10984January 5, 1962Amending the Selective Service Regulations
  72. EO 10985January 12, 1962Amendment of Executive Order No. 10501 Relating to Safeguarding Official Information in the Interests of the Defense of the United States
  73. EO 10986January 12, 1962Amendment of Executive Order No. 10898, Establishing the Interdepartmental Highway Safety Board
  74. EO 10987January 17, 1962Agency Systems for Appeals from Adverse Actions
  75. EO 10988January 17, 1962Employee-Management Cooperation in the Federal Service
  76. EO 10989January 22, 1962Amendment of Executive Order No. 10168, of October 11, 1950, as Amended, Prescribing Regulations Relating to the Right of Enlisted Members of the Uniformed Services to Additional Pay for Sea and Foreign Duty
  77. EO 10990February 2, 1962Reestablishing the Federal Safety Council
  78. EO 10991February 6, 1962Making a Change With Respect to the Membership of the Commission Established by Executive Order No. 10929, Relating to a Controversy Between Certain Carriers and Certain of Their Employees
  79. EO 10992February 9, 1962Redefining the Boundaries of the Caribbean National Forest—Puerto Rico
  80. EO 10993February 9, 1962Consolidating the Hiawatha and Marquette National Forests (Michigan) and Correcting the Land Descriptions of Nebraska National Forest (Nebraska) and Wasatch National Forest (Utah)
  81. EO 10994February 14, 1962The President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped
  82. EO 10995February 16, 1962Assigning Telecommunications Management Functions
  83. EO 10996February 16, 1962Promulgating Regulations Concerning Withholding of Compensation of Civilian Employees of the National Guard for State and State-Sponsored Employee Retirement, Disability, or Death Benefits Programs
  84. EO 10997February 16, 1962Assigning Emergency Preparedness Functions to the Secretary of the Interior
  85. EO 10998February 16, 1962Assigning Emergency Preparedness Functions to the Secretary of Agriculture
  86. EO 10999February 16, 1962Assigning Emergency Preparedness Functions to the Secretary of Commerce
  87. EO 11000February 16, 1962Assigning Emergency Preparedness Functions to the Secretary of Labor
  88. EO 11001February 16, 1962Assigning Emergency Preparedness Functions to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare
  89. EO 11002February 16, 1962Assigning Emergency Preparedness Functions to the Postmaster General
  90. EO 11003February 16, 1962Assigning Emergency Preparedness Functions to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Agency
  91. EO 11004February 16, 1962Assigning Certain Emergency Preparedness Functions to the Housing and Home Finance Administrator
  92. EO 11005February 16, 1962Assigning Emergency Preparedness Functions to the Interstate Commerce Commission
  93. EO 11006February 22, 1962Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate a Dispute Between Eastern Air Lines, Inc., and Certain of its Employees
  94. EO 11007February 26, 1962Prescribing Regulations for the Formation and Use of Advisory Committees
  95. EO 11008March 3, 1962Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate Dispute Between the Akron & Barberton Belt Railroad Company and Other Carriers and Certain of Their Employees
  96. EO 11009March 16, 1962Amending the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1951, to Implement Section 923a of Title 10, United States Code, Relating to Prosecution of Bad Check Offenses
  97. EO 11010March 19, 1962Amending Executive Order No. 10713, Relating to the Administration of the Ryukyu Islands
  98. EO 11011March 20, 1962Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate a Dispute Between the Trans World Airlines, Inc., and Certain of its Employees
  99. EO 11012March 27, 1962Providing for the Performance of Certain Functions Under Sections 1(a) and 1(b) of the Administrative Expenses Act of 1946
  100. EO 11013April 7, 1962Creating a Board of Inquiry to Report on a Labor Dispute Affecting the Maritime Industry of the United States
  101. EO 11014April 17, 1962Delegating to the Secretary of Commerce Functions With Respect to Participation of the United States in the New York World's Fair
  102. EO 11015April 23, 1962Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate Disputes Between the Chicago and North Western Railway Company, the Former Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway Company, Now a Part of the Chicago and North Western Railway Company by Merger, and Certain of Their Employees
  103. EO 11016April 25, 1962Authorizing Award of the Purple HeartAmended
  104. EO 11017April 27, 1962Providing for Coordination With Respect to Outdoor Recreation Resources and Establishing the Recreation Advisory Council
  105. EO 11018April 27, 1962Increasing From Three to Four the Number of Vice Chairmen of the President's Committee on Employment of the Handicapped
  106. EO 11019April 27, 1962Amending Executive Order No. 10873 to Provide for an Exception to the Inter-American Development Bank's Immunity From Suit Specified in the International Organizations Immunities Act
  107. EO 11020May 7, 1962Inspection of Income, Excess-Profits, Estate, and Gift Tax Returns by the Senate Committee on Armed Services
  108. EO 11021May 7, 1962Administration of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands by the Secretary of the Interior
  109. EO 11022May 14, 1962Establishing This President's Council on Aging
  110. EO 11023May 28, 1962Providing for the Performance by the Secretary of Commerce of Certain Functions Relating to the Coast and Geodetic Survey
  111. EO 11024June 4, 1962Exemption of Alan T. Waterman from Compulsory Retirement for Age
  112. EO 11025June 7, 1962Creating a Board of Inquiry to Report on a Labor Dispute Affecting the Aircraft Industry of the United States
  113. EO 11026June 8, 1962Amendment of Executive Order No. 11025, Creating a Board of Inquiry to Report on a Labor Dispute Affecting the Aircraft Industry of the United States
  114. EO 11027June 8, 1962Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate a Dispute Between the New York Central Railroad Company System and the Pittsburgh and Lake Erie Railroad Company and Certain of Their Employees
  115. EO 11028June 9, 1962Transferring Lands Between the Clark and Mark Twain National Forests (Missouri) and Adding Certain Lands to the Hiawatha National Forest (Michigan)
  116. EO 11029June 13, 1962Amendment of Executive Order No. 11025, Creating a Board of Inquiry to Report on a Labor Dispute Affecting the Aircraft Industry of the United States
  117. EO 11030June 19, 1962Preparation, Presentation, Filing, and Publication of Executive Orders and ProclamationsAmended
  118. EO 11031June 19, 1962Quetico-Superior Committee
  119. EO 11032June 19, 1962Amendment of Executive Order No. 5952 of November 23, 1932, as Amended, Prescribing the Army Ration
  120. EO 11033June 20, 1962Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate Disputes Between the American Airlines, Inc., and Certain of its Employees
  121. EO 11034June 25, 1962Administration of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961
  122. EO 11035July 9, 1962Management of Federal Office Space
  123. EO 11036July 11, 1962Administration of the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954, as Amended
  124. EO 11037July 20, 1962Amendment of Section 12 of Executive Order No. 6260 of August 28, 1933, as Amended
  125. EO 11038July 23, 1962Continuing in Effect Executive Order No. 10945 of May 24, 1961, Relating to the Administration of the Export Control Act of 1949, as Amended
  126. EO 11039August 3, 1962Extension of the President's Commission on Campaign Costs
  127. EO 11040August 6, 1962Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate Dispute Between the Belt Railway Company of Chicago and Certain of its Employees
  128. EO 11041August 6, 1962Continuance and Administration of the Peace Corps in the Department of State
  129. EO 11042August 10, 1962Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate a Dispute Between the Southern Pacific Company (Pacific Lines) and Certain of its Employees
  130. EO 11043August 14, 1962Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate Dispute Between the Pan American World Airways, Inc. and Certain of its Employees
  131. EO 11044August 20, 1962Interagency Coordination of Arms Control and Disarmament Matters
  132. EO 11045August 21, 1962Discontinuing the Guam Island Naval Defensive Sea Area and Guam Island Naval Airspace Reservation
  133. EO 11046August 24, 1962Authorizing Award of the Bronze Star MedalAmended
  134. EO 11047August 28, 1962Delegating Certain Authority to the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Agency
  135. EO 11048September 4, 1962Administration of Wake Island and Midway IslandPartially superseded
  136. EO 11049September 14, 1962Providing for the Carrying Out of the Public Works Acceleration Act
  137. EO 11050September 14, 1962Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate Disputes Between the REA Express and Certain of its Employees
  138. EO 11051September 27, 1962Prescribing Responsibilities of the Office of Emergency Planning in the Executive Office of the President
  139. EO 11052September 28, 1962Cotton Textiles and Cotton Textile Products
  140. EO 11053September 30, 1962Providing Assistance for the Removal of Unlawful Obstructions of Justice in the State of Mississippi
  141. EO 11054October 1, 1962Creating a Board of Inquiry to Report on Certain Labor Disputes Affecting the Maritime Industry of the United States
  142. EO 11055October 9, 1962Inspection of Income Tax Returns by the House Select Committee on Small Business
  143. EO 11056October 11, 1962Assigning to the Civil Service Commission Certain Authority With Respect to Federal Salaries
  144. EO 11057October 18, 1962Authorization for the Communication of Restricted Data by the Department of State
  145. EO 11058October 23, 1962Assigning Authority With Respect to Ordering Persons and Units in the Ready Reserve to Active Duty and With Respect to Extension of Enlistments and Other Periods of Service in the Armed Forces
  146. EO 11059October 23, 1962Designating Public International Organizations Entitled to Enjoy Certain Privileges, Exemptions, and Immunities
  147. EO 11060November 7, 1962Prescribing Certain Regulations and Delegating to the Attorney General Certain Authority of the President to Prescribe Other Regulations Relating to the Recovery From Tortiously Liable Third Persons of the Cost of Hospital and Medical Care and Treatment Furnished by the United States
  148. EO 11061November 8, 1962Mrs. Anna Eleanor Roosevelt
  149. EO 11062November 19, 1962Amendment of Executive Order No. 10480, Relating to the Administration of the Defense Mobilization Program, so as to Designate the Department of Defense as a Loan Guaranteeing Agency
  150. EO 11063November 20, 1962Equal Opportunity in HousingPartially revoked
  151. EO 11064November 21, 1962Excusing Federal Employees From Duty on December 24, 1962
  152. EO 11065November 21, 1962Inspection of Income, Excess-Profits, Estate, and Gift Tax Returns by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
  153. EO 11066November 27, 1962Including Certain Tracts of Land in the Cherokee and Jefferson National Forests, in Tennessee and Virginia
  154. EO 11067November 27, 1962Including Certain Tracts of Land in the Nantahala and Cherokee National Forests, Respectively
  155. EO 11068November 28, 1962Creating a Board of Inquiry to Report on a Labor Dispute Affecting the Ballistics Missile, Space Vehicle and Military Aircraft Industry
  156. EO 11069November 28, 1962Amending Executive Order No. 11017 so as to Designate the Secretary of Commerce as a Member of the Recreation Advisory Council
  157. EO 11070December 12, 1962Amendment of the List of Communicable Diseases Contained in Executive Order No. 9708 of March 26, 1946, as Amended by Executive Order No. 10532 of May 28, 1954
  158. EO 11071December 27, 1962Designation of Certain Foreign Countries as Economically Less Developed Countries for Purposes of the Revenue Act of 1962
  159. EO 11072December 28, 1962Extending the Exterior Boundaries of the Superior National Forest in Minnesota and the Clark National Forest in Missouri
  160. EO 11073January 2, 1963Providing for Federal Salary Administration
  161. EO 11074January 8, 1963Establishing the President's Council on Physical Fitness
  162. EO 11075January 15, 1963Administration of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962
  163. EO 11076January 15, 1963Establishing the President's Advisory Commission on Narcotic and Drug Abuse
  164. EO 11077January 22, 1963Administration of the Migration and Refugee Assistance Act of 1962
  165. EO 11078January 23, 1963Creating a Board of Inquiry to Report on a Labor Dispute Affecting the Ballistics Missile, Space Vehicle and Military Aircraft Industry
  166. EO 11079January 25, 1963Providing for the Prescribing of Regulations Under Which Members of the Armed Forces and Others May Accept Fellowships, Scholarships or GrantsAmended
  167. EO 11080January 29, 1963Inspection of Income, Excess-Profits, Estate, and Gift Tax Returns by the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
  168. EO 11081January 29, 1963Amending the Manual for Courts-Martial, United States, 1951, to Implement Section 815 of Title 10, United States Code, Relating to Nonjudicial Punishment
  169. EO 11082February 4, 1963Inspection of Income, Excess-Profits, Estate, and Gift Tax Returns by the Senate Committee on Government Operations
  170. EO 11083February 6, 1963Inspection of Income, Excess-Profits, Estate, and Gift Tax Returns by the Committee on Government Operations, House of Representatives
  171. EO 11084February 15, 1963Amending Executive Order No. 10995, Relating to Telecommunications
  172. EO 11085February 22, 1963The Presidential Medal of Freedom
  173. EO 11086February 26, 1963Amendment of Executive Order No. 10587 Relating to the Administration of Section 32(h) of the Trading With the Enemy Act
  174. EO 11087February 26, 1963Assigning Emergency Preparedness Functions to the Secretary of State
  175. EO 11088February 26, 1963Assigning Emergency Preparedness Functions to the Secretary of the Treasury
  176. EO 11089February 26, 1963Assigning Emergency Preparedness Functions to the Atomic Energy Commission
  177. EO 11090February 26, 1963Assigning Emergency Preparedness Functions to the Civil Aeronautics Board
  178. EO 11091February 26, 1963Assigning Emergency Preparedness Functions to the Civil Service Commission
  179. EO 11092February 26, 1963Assigning Emergency Preparedness Functions to the Federal Communications Commission
  180. EO 11093February 26, 1963Assigning Emergency Preparedness Functions to the Administrator of General Services
  181. EO 11094February 26, 1963Assigning Emergency Preparedness Functions to: The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; The Federal Home Loan Bank Board; The Farm Credit Administration; The Export-Import Bank of Washington; The Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; The Securities and Exchange Commission; The Administrator of the Small Business Administration; and The Administrator of Veterans Affairs
  182. EO 11095February 26, 1963Assigning Emergency Preparedness Functions to: The Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority; The Railroad Retirement Board; The Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; The Federal Power Commission; The Director of the National Science Foundation
  183. EO 11096February 28, 1963Establishing a Seal for the United States Civil Service Commission
  184. EO 11097February 28, 1963Amendment of Executive Order No. 10501, as Amended, Relating to Authority for the Original Classification of Defense Information and Material
  185. EO 11098March 14, 1963Amending the Selective Service Regulations
  186. EO 11099March 14, 1963Inspection of Income, Estate, and Gift Tax Returns by the House of Committee on Public Works
  187. EO 11100March 30, 1963Establishing the President's Commission on Registration and Voting Participation
  188. EO 11101April 3, 1963Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate Disputes Between the Carriers Represented by the Eastern, Western, and Southwestern Carriers' Conference Committees and Certain of Their Employees
  189. EO 11102April 4, 1963Inspection of Returns by Possessions of the United States
  190. EO 11103April 10, 1963Providing for the Appointment of Former Peace Corps Volunteers to the Civilian Career Services
  191. EO 11104April 12, 1963U.S.S. Thresher
  192. EO 11105April 18, 1963Transferring to the Housing and Home Finance Administrator Certain Functions of the Atomic Energy Commission Under the Atomic Energy Community Act of 1955
  193. EO 11106April 18, 1963Providing for the Administration of the Trade Agreements Program and Related Matters
  194. EO 11107April 25, 1963Administration of Alaska Railroads
  195. EO 11108May 22, 1963Delegating Authority Under the International Wheat Agreement Act of 1949, as Amended, to the Secretary of Agriculture
  196. EO 11109May 27, 1963Inspection of Income, Excess-Profits, Estate, and Gift Tax Returns by the Committee on Un-American Activities, House of Representatives
  197. EO 11110June 4, 1963Amendment of Executive Order No. 10289 as Amended, Relating to the Performance of Certain Functions Affecting the Department of the Treasury
  198. EO 11111June 11, 1963Providing Assistance for the Removal of Obstructions of Justice and Suppression of Unlawful Combinations Within the State of Alabama
  199. EO 11112June 12, 1963Establishing the President's Advisory Council on the Arts
  200. EO 11113June 13, 1963Amendment of Executive Order No. 11075, as Amended, Relating to the Administration of the Trade Agreements Program
  201. EO 11114June 22, 1963Extending the Authority of the President's Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity
  202. EO 11115July 4, 1963Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate Disputes Between the Pullman Company, the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company, the New York Central System, and the Soo Line Railroad Company and Certain of Their Employees
  203. EO 11116August 5, 1963Prescribing Rates of Charges for Certain Hospitalization and Dispensary Services and Delegating Authority to Prescribe Such Rates
  204. EO 11117August 13, 1963Establishing an Interagency Committee on International Athletics
  205. EO 11118September 10, 1963Providing Assistance for Removal of Unlawful Obstructions of Justice in the State of Alabama
  206. EO 11119September 10, 1963Amending the Selective Service Regulations
  207. EO 11120October 2, 1963Amendment of Executive Order No. 10152, Relating to Incentive Pay for Hazardous Duty, Executive Order No. 10168, Relating to Pay for Sea Duty and Duty at Certain Places, and Executive Order No. 10204, Relating to Basic Allowances for Quarters
  208. EO 11121October 9, 1963Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate a Dispute Between the United Air Lines, Inc., and Certain of its Employees
  209. EO 11122October 16, 1963Establishing the Rural Development Committee
  210. EO 11123October 18, 1963Amendment of Executive Order No. 10853, Relating to Various Allowances to Certain Government Personnel on Foreign Duty
  211. EO 11124October 28, 1963Enlarging the Membership of the President's Advisory Council on the Arts
  212. EO 11125October 29, 1963Delegating Authority of the President Under Sections 205 and 208 of Title 18 of the United States Code, Relating to Conflicts of Interest
  213. EO 11126November 1, 1963Establishing a Committee and a Council Relating to the Status of Women
  214. EO 11127November 9, 1963Creating an Emergency Board to Investigate a Dispute Between the Florida East Coast Railway Company and Certain of its Employees

Source: Executive Orders Archive, compiled from the American Presidency Project and the Federal Register. Topics are the archive's automated tags; "Revoked" and similar labels come from the Federal Register's records.

Pardons and commutations

A pardon wipes out the punishment for a federal crime; a commutation shortens a sentence but leaves the conviction. Counts are by federal fiscal year. Fiscal 1964 covers July to November 1963.

Granted each year

PardonsCommutations

Source: U.S. Dept. of Justice, clemency statistics, which lists every recipient with the crime and sentence.

Notable grants: tap to see the crime

Hank GreenspunPardonOctober 23, 1961

The crime: Violating the Neutrality Act by smuggling weapons to Israel (pleaded guilty 1950)

Sentence: $10,000 fine

Why it drew attention: A Las Vegas newspaper publisher; the pardon restored his civil rights.

Source
Junius ScalesCommutationDecember 24, 1962

The crime: Membership in the Communist Party under the Smith Act (convicted 1954; upheld by the Supreme Court 1961)

Sentence: Six years; 15 months served

Why it drew attention: Civil liberties groups and others argued he was jailed for his beliefs; he had already left the party.

Source

Controversies and scandals

What happened, what was proven, and how it ended.

Proven convicted, admitted or confirmed by a court or official investigationCharged indicted or impeached (outcome stated)Disputed facts established, whether it was wrong is debatedAlleged reported but never established
Bay of Pigs invasionProvenApril 1961

A CIA-trained force of Cuban exiles invaded Cuba and was defeated within three days.

Outcome: Kennedy took public responsibility; more than 100 invaders were killed and about 1,200 captured.

Source
Plots to kill Fidel CastroProven1961–1963

The CIA, working partly with Mafia figures, plotted to assassinate Cuba's leader under 'Operation Mongoose'.

Outcome: Revealed by the Church Committee in 1975; whether Kennedy personally approved the plots was never established.

Source
Wiretapping Martin Luther King Jr.Proven1963

The Justice Department authorized FBI wiretaps on King, which the FBI then used to try to discredit him.

Outcome: Documented by the Church Committee in 1976.

Source
Affair linked to a Mafia bossProven1960–1962

Kennedy had an affair with Judith Campbell Exner, who was also involved with Chicago mob leader Sam Giancana.

Outcome: Documented by the Church Committee; FBI Director Hoover warned Kennedy in 1962.

Source
Hiding his healthProven1960–1963

Kennedy concealed Addison's disease and serious back problems treated with heavy medication, while presenting an image of vigor.

Outcome: Confirmed when his medical records were opened in 2002.

Source

In their own words

Widely quoted remarks, with the context they were said in.

Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.

January 20, 1961 · Inaugural address. Source

We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.

September 12, 1962 · Speech at Rice University. Source

Ich bin ein Berliner.

June 26, 1963 · Speech in West Berlin, standing with the city against Soviet pressure. Source
How this page is made. Every president gets the same sections and the same checklist. A controversy is listed if it led to an investigation by Congress, an inspector general, a special or independent counsel or a court, or was a sustained national story covered across the political spectrum. Labels follow the strongest official finding, not media coverage. Debt figures come from the U.S. Treasury; deficits and GDP from the White House budget office and the Commerce Department; unemployment from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (before 1948, yearly estimates by Stanley Lebergott via NBER and the Census Bureau's Historical Statistics); prices from MeasuringWorth; executive orders from the Federal Register and National Archives; clemency from the Justice Department.