Many people remember where they were on 22 November 1963, the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. My Good Self has no recollection whatsoever of that particular day. I had yet to emerge onto the world stage.

John Fitzgerald Kennedy (JFK) was born on May 29, 1917. His family was not short of money or political influence. His father Joe amassed a large fortune in his time and was US Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 1938 to 1940. His money and political connections would prove very beneficial to his son.

Following distinguished service in World War II, JFK entered political life in 1947. The winner of a Pulitzer Prize for his 1956 book, ‘Profiles In Courage’, he went on to contest the 1960 US Presidential election against Richard Nixon.

It was a close contest. A key factor in JFK’s win was his outperforming of Nixon on television.

His biggest test as US President came during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Thirteen days in October 1962. Soviet nuclear missiles had been deployed in Cuba, the US felt obliged to respond. The world teetered on the brink of destruction. In the engrossing documentary movie ‘The fog of war’, Secretary of Defence at the time, Robert Mc Namara gives a first hand account of just how close a call it was. Saturday, October 27, proved to be the pivotal day. One of Kennedy’s advisors, Tommy Thompson, former US Ambassador to Moscow, who had actually lived with Soviet leader Khrushchev on one occasion and knew his mindset, was the crucial influence on Kennedy, arguing against an American strike.It seems the avoidance of nuclear war was all down to luck.

Kennedy visited Ireland in June 1963. He called his visit here ‘the happiest days of my life’. In turn he brought much euphoria to the people of Ireland.

A less than euphoric day for the world came in Dallas on 22 November 1963 when Kennedy was assassinated. Theories still abound as to the facts of that fateful day.

As a husband, JFK was less than perfect. It would appear he was a strong believer in extramarital affairs.

Despite his personal failings, JFK inspired many people.

Our troubled world needs as much inspiration as it can get.