The assassination of John F. Kennedy is considered one of the most significant events in US history. In the last 60 years, approximately 2,000 books have been written about the tragedy. Over the years we’ve had numerous investigations, theories, and conspiracy theories. Last December, the National Archives released troves of information; there were thousands of pages still withheld, most of which were released by the Biden Administration last month.
In the words of Pete Hamill: "For the Catholic immigrants of his generation, men and women born in the first decade of the century, Jack Kennedy was forever and always someone special. His election in 1960 had redeemed everything: the bigotry that went all the way back to the Great Famine; the slurs and the sneers; Help Wanted, No Irish Need Apply; the insulting acceptance of the stereotype of the drunken and impotent Stage Irishman; the doors closed in law firms, and men’s clubs, and brokerage houses because of religion and origin. After 1960, they knew that their children truly could be anything in their chosen country, including president of the United States."
Washington Correspondent of The Irish Times, Martin Wall, discusses the legacy of President Kennedy for Ireland and Irish America.