Robert F. Kennedy, also known as RFK, was born on November 20, 1925, in Brookline, Massachusetts. He was the seventh of nine children born to Joseph P. Kennedy Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald. RFK attended local schools in Brookline before enlisting in the Naval Reserve shortly before his 18th birthday as an apprentice seaman. After serving in the Navy during World War II, he went on to graduate from Harvard College in 1948 and the University of Virginia School of Law in 1951.
RFK's political career began to take shape when he worked as counsel to the Senate Subcommittee on Investigations in 1953. He then went on to manage his brother John F. Kennedy's successful Senate campaign in 1952 and 1958. When JFK became President in 1960, RFK was appointed Attorney General, serving in this role from 1961 to 1964.
One of RFK's most notable achievements during his time as Attorney General was his commitment to civil rights. He played a key role in the desegregation of public schools in the South and was a vocal supporter of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. He also took a stand against organized crime and corruption, earning a reputation as a tough and relentless prosecutor.
After JFK's assassination in 1963, RFK contemplated running for President himself. In 1964, he was elected as U.S. Senator from New York, a position he held until his own assassination in 1968. RFK officially entered the presidential race in 1968, running on a platform of ending the Vietnam War and fighting poverty and racism.
RFK married Ethel Skakel in 1950, and the couple had 11 children between 1951 and 1968. Despite the demands of his political career, RFK always made time for his family and was known for his devotion to his children. His family life was tragically cut short when he was assassinated on June 6, 1968, while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination in Los Angeles.
RFK's legacy lives on in the hearts of those who remember his fearless advocacy for social justice and civil rights. His untimely death at the age of 42 robbed the world of a bright and promising leader, but his impact on American politics and society can still be felt today. RFK's commitment to making the world a better place continues to inspire new generations of leaders to fight for equality and justice for all.
Throughout his life, RFK remained true to his beliefs and principles, even in the face of adversity and danger. His legacy serves as a reminder of the power of compassion, courage, and integrity in the fight for a better world.