"Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names" (Brainy Quotes). John F. Kennedy said this during one of his speeches, and ironically, no one will ever forget the name of the person who assassinated him, Lee Harvey Oswald, an enemy of the American public. When Kennedy ran for office, he had to appear as the more experienced candidate and please everyone. During his speeches, Kennedy captivated his audience and they hung on his every word. However, the tragic event of his assassination devastated the country and it is still talked about today fifty years later. John F. Kennedy had a major impact on the 1960s and today through his election, his influential public speeches, and his heartbreaking assassination. The 1960 election was an election that could have gone either way. The Republican Party nominated Richard Nixon, a 47-year-old former vice president, and the Democrats nominated John Fitzgerald Kennedy. John F. Kennedy was the youngest president to run for president of the Democratic Party. People loved him even though he lacked experience and was a Catholic Christian. Early in the election, Nixon gained the advantage because voters viewed him as more experienced and mature. Richard Nixon wanted to continue the Eisenhower administration and told voters he would maintain military strength, provide strong leadership, and keep American prestige high. While in office, Kennedy committed to making a difference in people's lives by creating new civil rights laws. For the first time, underestimated Americans began to see hope in the battle for equal rights through Kennedy's promises. This election was important to the American people because...... middle of paper ....... November 20, 2013. Brauer, Carl M. "What John F. Kennedy meant to Americans." The assassination of John F. Kennedy. Ed. Sylvia Engdahl. Detroit: Greenhaven Press, 2011. 20-32. Perspectives on Modern World History. Gale Virtual Reference Library. Internet. November 15, 2013. “1960 Campaign.” John F. Kennedy. Presidential Library and Museum, nd Web. November 13, 2013. .Freidel, Frank and Hugh Sidey. “John F. Kennedy.” The White House Washington. NP, 2006. Web. November 13, 2013. “Historical speeches”. John F. Kennedy. Presidential Library and Museum, nd Web. November 13, 2013. “John F. Kennedy.” Smart quote. Bookrags Media Network, 2001. Web. November 21. 2013. .