September 11, 2007 - Kennedy and Nixon

A co-worker once told me he had read a book that dealt with the political struggles between Nixon and  Kennedy. At that time I failed to ask him the title and the author of the book. But I have given the subject some thought. It does seem that the lives of  these two men, and the people associated with them, crossed paths many times.

Below I have made a timeline  based on the careers and tragedies of both men.

1913-Richard Nixon was born in Yarbo Linda California.

1917-John F. Kennedy was born in Brookline Massachusetts.

 
1940-Kennedy joins the Navy. Later becomes a Naval Officer and served in the Pacific.

1941-Nixon became a Naval Officer and served in the Pacific.

1946-Nixon and Kennedy are elected to the U.S. House of Represenatives.

1950-Nixon was elected U.S. Senator.

1952-Kennedy was elected U.S. Senator. Nixon becomes Vice President of the United States.

1956-Nixon was re-elected as Vice President. Kennedy lost a bid to become the Vice Presidential Candidate at the Democrat National Convention.

1960-Kennedy defeats Nixon and became the 35th President of the United States. Mayor Daley of Chicago was accused of making a corrupt bargain that lead to Nixon's defeat in Illinois. Kennedy won the popular vote by a narrow margin.  Both men held a series of debates that would eventually lead to a new tradition Robert Kennedy became his brother's Attorney General.

1962-Nixon ran for Governor of California, and was defeated. He retired from politics. Ted Kennedy won his brother's U.S. Senate seat.

1963-President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas Texas. The Warren Commission   declared that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, and was not part of any conspiracy. Gerald Ford was a member of this commission.

1964-Robert Kennedy charged Teamster Leader Jimmy Hoffa with fraud and jury tampering. Hoffa was found guilty and sent to prison.

1968-Robert Kennedy was running for President, but was assassinated while campaigning in California. Nixon came out of retirement and became the 37th President of the United States.

1969-Ted Kennedy’s accident at Chappiquiddick.

1971-Nixon pardons Hoffa.

1972- Nixon was re-elected by a landslide. The Kennedy's brother-in-law, Sergeant  Shriver, was the Democratic Candidate for Vice President.

1973-Vice President Spiro Agnew was forced to resign, and  replaced by Gerald Ford.

1974-Nixon resigned as a result of the Watergate Scandal. Ford became the 38th President of the United States and gave Nixon a full pardon.

1975-Hoffa disappeared and was never seen again.

1976-Ford lost his bid for a full four-year term.

 
1980- Ted Kennedy attempted to get the Democratic Nomination for President, but was unsuccessful. Chappiquiddick will forever be the albatross around his neck.

 
1994-Nixon dies.