National Archives Celebrates John F. Kennedy Centennial
Press Release · Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Washington, D.C.

Throughout 2017, the National Archives in Washington, D.C., will feature programming in celebration of the 100th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s birth. Commemorative events include special exhibit displays on the Peace Corps and the Space Program, family programs, plus teacher and student outreach. These programs are in addition to the offerings at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, MA, which is one of the 14 Presidential Libraries administered  by the National Archives. Learn more about the Kennedy Library’s centennial celebrations here: https://jfkcentennial.org/.

Exhibit Display: “Advancing Peace and Understanding: President Kennedy Creates the Peace Corps”
April 28 through October 11, 2017
The Public Vaults Gallery,  National Archives Museum hours 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
“Advancing Peace and Understanding: President Kennedy Creates the Peace Corps” will be on display in the Public Vaults gallery of the National Archives Museum in Washington, D.C.
From October 12, 2017 through April 26, 2018, an exhibit display related to President Kennedy’s call for the U.S. to send an astronaut to the moon will be on exhibit.

Career Fair for Middle and High School Students
Monday, May 1, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.
William G. McGowan Theater and Theater Lobby
“Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” —John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address, January 20, 1961
To honor the JFK centennial, teachers and students are invited to explore careers at the National Archives. Students can explore a variety of career fields including Exhibits, IT, Conservation, Security, Communications, Research Services, Education & Public Programs, Diversity & Inclusion, Audiovisual, and Graphic Design. Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero will lead a conversation about public service at the end of the fair. Register online at: https://www.archivesfoundation.org/event/career-fair-2017/.

Featured ReSource Room Activities for the JFK Centennial
May 1–31, Monday­–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Boeing Learning Center
Mark John F. Kennedy’s centennial by examining his Presidency and legacy at home, abroad, and in space exploration. Explore documents and audio recordings from the National Archives that reflect his leadership and use of the spoken word to achieve his political ambitions.

Facebook Live on U.S. National Archives
Wednesday, May 3, at 11 a.m.
Curator Michael Hussey introduces the new exhibit of Peace Corps documents in honor of JFK’s centennial. He’ll be joined by historian Douglas Brinkley and JFK’s nephew Stephen Kennedy Smith.

National Book Launch: JFK: A Vision for America
Wednesday, May 3, at noon
William G. McGowan Theater
JFK: A Vision for America brings together Kennedy’s greatest speeches alongside essays by America’s top historians, political thinkers, writers, and artists. Edited by historian Douglas Brinkley and JFK’s nephew Stephen Kennedy Smith, it is the definitive compendium of Kennedy’s speeches on civil rights, the race to the Moon, the environment, immigration, and much more. The discussion will be moderated by C-SPAN’s Susan Swain. Archivist of the United States David S. Ferriero will offer remarks. A book signing follows the program, and attendees are welcome to visit “Advancing Peace and Understanding: President Kennedy Creates the Peace Corps” in the Public Vaults Gallery. The program is free and open to the public; reserve your seat online or watch it live streamed on the National Archives YouTube channel.

Screening: American Experience: JFK, Part One (2013)
Wednesday, May 24, at noon
William G. McGowan Theater
First aired in November of 2013, JFK weaves archival film and photographs with contemporary interviews to present a portrait of an enigmatic man who remains one of the nation’s most beloved and mourned leaders, John F. Kennedy. Part one chronicles JFK’s childhood, the World War II years, and his rise up the political ranks. (120 minutes)

Screening: American Experience: JFK, Part Two (2013)
Wednesday, May 31, at noon
William G. McGowan Theater
Part two of JFK follows Kennedy into the White House, where his administration immediately faces challenges—the spread of communism abroad and continuing Cold War fears, and on the domestic front, the struggle to protect and ensure Civil Rights. (120 minutes)

Concert: JFK 100th Birthday Musical Celebration with the Air Force Strings
Thursday, June 15, at 7 p.m.
William G. McGowan Theater
In honor of 100th birthday of John F. Kennedy, we present the acclaimed Air Force Strings, the official string ensemble and one of six musical ensembles that comprise The U.S. Air Force Band. The Air Force Strings consists of 20 active-duty Airmen musicians performing a wide range of musical styles. Tonight’s concert will include selections that were performed in the Kennedy White House.

#JFK100 on Instagram
April – December
Join us for a weekly series all about John F. Kennedy on @USNatArchives Instagram. Each month will feature a different theme including: Ask What You Can Do; Innovation; JFK and the World; Arts, Culture, and Jacqueline Kennedy; and Children in the White House. Share your favorite photos and tag #JFK100.
You can also find #JFK100 on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, and Pinterest.

Special Features in Prologue Magazine
The spring 2017 issue of Prologue, the quarterly magazine of the National Archives, commemorates the centennial of President Kennedy. In “JFK in Congress,” we examine the formative years JFK spent in the House of Representatives and the Senate, before running for the Presidency in 1960. We also preview the signature exhibit at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum: “JFK 100: Milestones & Mementos,” which traces JFK’s life through 100 items from the Library’s holdings.

About the JFK 100 Partners
To honor the 100th anniversary of John F. Kennedy’s birth, ten cultural institutions across Washington, D.C., and Boston are partnering to mark the centennial of our 35th President. In the year before and after Kennedy’s 100th birthday on May 29, 2017, each partnering organization will hold dedicated events and exhibits exploring Kennedy’s legacy through their specialized curatorial lens. Members of the JFK 100 Partnership are dedicated to sharing resources and expertise across cultural institutions to extend the reach and impact of the JFK centennial.

Partner organizations include the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, the Library of Congress, the National Archives, National History Day, the Newseum, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery,  and the White House Historical Association.

The National Archives Museum is located at Constitution Ave. and 7th Street, NW. Metro accessible on the Yellow and Green lines, Archives/Navy Memorial/Penn Quarter station.