Department of Education and Public Programs
Online Resources for Educators
www.jfklibrary.org
Biographical and Reference Materials

JFK in History: jfklibrary.org/JFKinHistory
To gain an understanding of the early 1960s, this section of the website provides brief discussions of
the significant events that occurred during President Kennedy's years in office. These essays are
intended to give you an overview of challenges and issues that defined Kennedy's administration.

JFK Media Gallery: jfklibrary.org/MediaGallery
A collection of some of the best and most iconic photographs from the archives of the John F.
Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is presented here. Organized thematically, these galleries
offer a visual presentation of key aspects of President Kennedy's public and family life.

Digital Archives: jfklibrary.org/SearchCollections
The Digital Archives provides access to a growing collection of searchable digitized historical
documents, images and materials. Library staff have digitized, described, and made available three
entire textual collections, which include photographic and audio components, an audio collection, a
moving image collection, a collection of museum artifacts, and a portion of the White House
Photograph collection, which consists of over 35,000 photographs.

Picture Book Biographies of the president and first lady: jfklibrary.org/PictureBookBios
Simplified text, large images with captions and questions, a glossary, and activities make these
booklets accessible to elementary readers.
Interactive Exhibits
(All found at jfklibrary.org/interactives)

The President’s Desk
Invite your students to take a seat at The President's Desk and discover what it means to hold the
highest office in the land. This online interactive exhibit features JFK's treasured mementos and
important presidential records. Primary sources ranging from recordings of meetings in the Oval
Office to family photographs populate the site and provide an engaging and fascinating look into
John F. Kennedy's life and presidency.

The White House Diary
Travel back in time to the early 1960s and experience first-hand each of JFK’s thousand days in
office through the interactive White House Diary—the president’s daily schedules including digital
scans of his actual appointment diary for any given day as well as video, audio, and photos of various
events. You’ll also find a link on each date to a New York Times chronology with key events in the
news for each month.

JFK50.org
Explore events in JFK's presidency through the graphic novel-style History Now, learn how his
legacy is being continued in the Legacy Gallery, and download customizable exhibits and primary
source material for classroom use.

1963: The Struggle for Civil Rights
Bring the pivotal events of the civil rights movement in 1963 to life through more than 230 primary
sources ranging from film footage of the March on Washington and letters from youth advising the
president to JFK’s landmark address to the American people and secret recordings of behind-thescenes negotiations on civil rights legislation. Lesson plans are accessible from the “For Educators”
link at the top of the page.

Integrating Ole Miss
Students witness civil rights history firsthand through primary source material. Includes guiding
questions for classroom activities and assignments.

The World on the Brink: The Cuban Missile Crisis
Students can investigate the rich historical evidence in this online exhibit to analyze the events,
decisions, and outcomes of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Curricular Resources
(All found at jfklibrary.org/curricular)

The President’s Desk: A Resource Guide for Teachers: Grades 4-12
Guide provides an overview of the Desk and suggested curriculum-relevant lesson plans and
activities.

Curricular Resources for Educators
Lesson plans relating to John F. Kennedy and his presidency, using primary resources. Selected
topics include:
o JFK’s Inaugural Address
o Cuban Missile Crisis
o Civil Rights
o Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
o Vietnam
o Federal Budget Simulation
Additional Resources

New Frontiers: A Newsletter for Educators: jfklibrary.org/EducationNewsletter
Find out what's happening at the Library for students and teachers, and download classroom-ready
lesson plans and activities.

Profile in Courage Essay Contest: jfklibrary.org/EssayContest
The Profile in Courage Essay Contest invites United States high school students to consider the
concept of political courage by writing an essay on a US elected official who has chosen to do what
is right, rather than what is expedient. Curriculum ideas for the classroom, elements for a strong
essay, past winning essays are included in this section of our website.

Online Ready Reference: jfklibrary.org/ReadyReference
Access JFK’s press conferences (audio included), major speeches, biographical profiles of JKF’s
staff, a compilation of articles from The New York Times documenting each day of JFK’s presidency,
and National Security Memoranda.