Press Releases

During the week of the 60th Anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s death and funeral, the JFK Presidential Library will mark the occasion with a special temporary exhibit of items from his funeral and other remembrances. In addition to the special exhibit on display from November 20 - 27, three separate musical performances will occur from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. in the Library’s main pavilion on November 22. Two memory books will also be available for guests to write their reflections about the 35th President and his legacy. The Library will be open free to the public on November 21st and 22nd.

Five women Senators from South Carolina – Katrina Shealy, Margie Bright Matthews, Mia McLeod, Sandy Senn, and Penry Gustafson – who formed a bipartisan coalition to filibuster a near-total abortion ban in their state received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award®.

The 2023 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award® will be presented to five women Senators from South Carolina – Katrina Shealy, Margie Bright Matthews, Mia McLeod, Sandy Senn, and Penry Gustafson – who formed a bipartisan coalition to filibuster a near-total abortion ban in their state. A special international Profile in Courage Award will honor South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida for working to improve relations between their countries despite domestic opposition stemming from historical issues.

The JFK Library will show how World War II became the defining moment for an entire generation of Americans. A special exhibit, Service and Sacrifice: World War II — A Shared Experience, will present stories from individuals about the war — some being told for the first time.

In celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the President’s visit to Ireland, the JFK Library Foundation marked the anniversary with special events and exhibits in partnership with the EPIC Museum, Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, Trinity College Dublin, the Kennedy Summer School and other institutions in Ireland. In June 1963, President Kennedy became the first sitting U.S. President to visit the nation of Ireland. The visit would also be part of his final foreign trip before his death in November 1963.

The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation today announced that Jeremy Haynes, a senior at Mobile Christian School in Mobile, Alabama, has won the national John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest for High School Students. The winning essay describes the political courage of former Alabama State Senator Joseph Langan, who in 1949 took a bold stand against an amendment that would disenfranchise Black citizens in his state. Haynes describes how Langan was ousted in his reelection campaign for protecting voting rights of all citizens in Alabama.

For the first time, the JFK Presidential Library and Museum will open its Museum to the general public after hours for special “Late Nights at the Library.” The Museum will be open for free from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on four special nights this summer. In addition to free admission to the Museum, the Library will host special activities for three of the four nights this summer.

Ronald L. Sargent, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, announced that the Board of Directors unanimously elected the two new members: Yvonne Garcia, Chief of Staff to Chairman and CEO, Ron O’Hanley & Global Head of Communications and CEO Experience Program, State Street Corporation; and Karen S. Lynch, President and CEO, CVS Health.

Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder will give the keynote address at the JFK Presidential Library and Museum during a special commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s June 11, 1963 speech on civil rights: An Unfinished Agenda: President Kennedy and Civil Rights, 60 Years Later.

Micheál Martin T.D., Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence of Ireland, will mark the 60th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s visit to Ireland and discuss the Irish-US relationship and key global issues with Kevin Cullen, columnist for The Boston Globe.

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum offers several family-oriented activities and programs throughout Presidents’ Day week, including its signature Presidents’ Day Festival on February 20th featuring presidential storytelling, activities and performances, and a Celebrate! family performing arts program.