Marriage Of John And Jacqueline Kennedy example essay topic

The Marriage of John and Jacqueline Kennedy. THESIS: Although the relationship of John and Jacqueline Kennedy evolved from friendship to love, their marriage was filled with tragedy, shame, and change. I. The relationship of John and Jacqueline Kennedy evolved from friendship to love. A. They met at a dinner party thrown by Charles and Martha Bartlett. B. Their marriage was called "the wedding of the year". II. Their marriage had many tragedies. A. Although three children survived birth, Jackie had many unsuccessful pregnancies. B. President Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas while riding in a motorcade.. Their marriage was filled with shame. A. Jack had an irresistible urge to women. B. Jack had innumerable conversations with a Judith Campbell, a woman with mob connections.

IV. Their marriage was filled with change. A. Life was different for the Kennedy's in the White House. B. Jackie did a complete renovation of the White House. C. Life changed drastically for Jackie after the assassination of her husband. Although the relationship of John and Jacqueline Kennedy evolved from friendship to love, their marriage was filled with tragedy, shame and change. The life of the first family is highly publicized but many of the happenings of the Kennedy family were not meant to be up for public scrutiny.

During the time that Kennedy was in office there were many political as well as personal events that went on in his life. Love, tragedy, shame, and change were just some of the feelings and occurrences that went on inside the White House. Jacqueline began her journalism career working for the Washington Times-Herald where she was soon promoted to "Inquiring Camera girl". This was how she first got to talk to Senator John F. Kennedy. She interviewed him for her column a few times and attended a dinner party thrown by Charles and Martha Bartlett where Jack also attended. The Bartlett's invited Jack, Jackie and a few other couples so it would not look too contrived.

Martha pushed Jack and Jackie together on the couch, served them cocktails and hors d'oeuvres and let them drink their heads off. Charles Bartlett says that he had nothing to do with it, his wife was the only matchmaker involved in this scheme. This was not the only time that they met at the Bartlett's home. When they started dating regularly they sometimes met there for a game of bridge, Checkers, or Monopoly.

Jack telephoned Jackie in London one day and proposed marriage. The engagement was announced in June 24, 1953 and the wedding was set for September 12, 1953. (Davis 316) Joe Kennedy made sure that the wedding was well publicized as the "Wedding of the Year". (Mills 108) (Davis 189) Police estimated that around three thousand onlookers watched as Mr. and Mrs. John F. Kennedy emerged from St. Mary's Catholic Church in Newport for the first time and posed for the Associated Press, United Press, New York Times, Boston Globe, Washington Post, and even Life magazine. The reception was held at Hammersmith Farm and around 1,200 guests sat at tables on the lawn and ate creamed chicken. Guests danced on the terrace to music played by Meyer Davis and at one point cleared the floor and watched the newlywed couple dance to "I Married an Angel " and "No Other Love".

Jackie presented her bridesmaids with monogrammed silver picture frames and Jack gave his ushers Brooks Brothers umbrellas. (Anthony 81) Along with Jackie's two children that survived infancy, she had several other pregnancies that ended in tragedy. The Kennedy's first pregnancy in 1956 ended in miscarriage. Jack's bad back problems had been flaring up so Jackie played round-the-clock nurse to him, she changed his dressings several times a day, put on his socks and slippers, played games with him and helped him in and out of bed.

She exhausted herself doing this and, so caused the miscarriage. On November 27, 1957, Jackie gave birth to her first child. Named Caroline Bouvier Kennedy, this perfectly healthy baby girl was delivered by Cesarean section and weighed seven pounds and two ounces. During the end of Jackie's third pregnancy, Jack left her to vacation on a yacht with his brother Teddy and a few close friends. On August 23, 1960 as he cruised the Mediterranean, Jackie was rushed to Newport Hospital after she suffered an internal hemorrhage and severe abdominal cramps. In an effort to save the baby the doctors performed an emergency Cesarean.

The infant, an unnamed girl, died before drawing her first breath. (Heymann 190) Although no legal name was given to the girl, Jackie named the child for herself. The daughter was Jackie's own "Arabella". (Anthony 101) Born 17 days after the presidential election of 1960 (Encarta) Jackie's second child, aptly named John F. Kennedy Jr. was born in Georgetown University Hospital almost a month early by Cesarean section. At six pounds and three ounces he was in desperate need of incubation but yet active and in satisfactory health. Patrick Bouvier Kennedy was born on August 7, 1963.

At four pounds and one ounce he was born five weeks early by Cesarean section. So frail and tiny was the infant that the Base Chaplain baptized him immediately. Born with hyaline membrane disease he was to be transported the following morning to Children's Medical Center in Boston where there was more modern and better equipment but, at 5: 00 a.m. on his third day of life, only thirty-nine hours after he had been born, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy died. In November 1963, President Kennedy visited Texas for a speechmaking tour. (Friedel) On November 22, 1963, a day that will be remembered with national sorrow, he and his wife were cheered enthusiastically as a motorcade including their open car passed through the streets of Dallas.

(Donald) Within a period of less than six seconds at least three shots were fired. The first bullet hit the President in the back of his neck, brushing his right lung, severing his windpipe and, exiting his throat. The second shot wounded Governor John Connally, who was sitting on a jump seat directly in front of the President. The third shot struck the President in the back of his head, blowing away the right rear quadrant of his skull, creating a viscous cloud of blood and brain tissue. (Heymann 389) Jackie would recall, "And just as I turned and looked at him... I remembered thinking he had just looked as if he had a slight headache... then, he... put his hand to his forehead, and fell into my lap".

She lunged toward the back of the car and screamed, "My God, they " ve killed Jack! They " ve killed my husband!" (Anthony 98) The limousine that they were in drove at speeds in excess of eighty miles per hour to Parkland Memorial Hospital only four miles away. When the limousine pulled up to the hospital entrance, Jackie held her husband protectively. Realizing she could not bear for others to see her mutilated husband, a secret service agent removed...