Press Releases

Boston MA – Three former Iowa Supreme Court Justices who were removed from office by Iowa voters after joining a unanimous decision to legalize same-sex marriage in that state were presented the prestigious John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award™ today by Caroline Kennedy at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. Former Iowa Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and former justices David Baker and Michael Streit were chosen in recognition of the political courage and judicial independence each demonstrated in setting aside popular opinion to uphold the basic freedoms and security guaranteed to all citizens under the Iowa constitution. Also honored with a Profile in Courage Award at today’s ceremony was Robert Ford, U.S. Ambassador to Syria, whose bold and courageous diplomacy has provided crucial support to Syrians struggling under the brutal regime of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

Boston, MA—The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation today announced that Patrick Reilly, a junior at Archmere Academy in Claymont, Delaware, has won the national John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest for High School Students™. Reilly will be honored by Caroline Kennedy during the May 7, 2012, Profile in Courage Award ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston for his prize-winning essay on former Delaware Governor Russell Peterson, who, in 1971, courageously defied corporate interests in an effort to preserve the natural beauty and resources of Delaware’s coastal areas. Reilly will receive a $10,000 award for his first-place essay.

Boston, MA– The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum today announced that fifteen letters written by Nobel Prize-winning author Ernest Hemingway to his close friend Gianfranco Ivancich have been made available to scholars. Hemingway met Ivancich and his sister, Adriana, who became the author’s muse, while visiting Venice in 1949. The letters provide a glimpse into Hemingway’s life in Cuba and his travels around the world.

BOSTON, MA – PEN New England announced the winners of The Laurence L. & Thomas Winship /PEN New England Awards, celebrating best works of fiction, poetry, and nonfiction by New England authors.

Boston MA – Three former Iowa Supreme Court Justices who were part of a unanimous decision to legalize same-sex marriage in that state have been named this year’s recipients of the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award™. Former Iowa Chief Justice Marsha Ternus and former justices David Baker and Michael Streit were chosen in recognition of the political courage and judicial independence each demonstrated in setting aside popular opinion to uphold the basic freedoms and security guaranteed to all citizens under the Iowa constitution. Also being honored with a 2012 Profile in Courage Award is Robert Ford, U.S. Ambassador to Syria, whose bold and courageous diplomacy has provided crucial support to Syrians struggling under the brutal regime of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

BOSTON, MA – PEN New England today announced that Teju Cole has won the 2012 Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award for a distinguished first book of fiction for Open City (Random House). Patrick Hemingway, the son of Nobel Prize-winning writer Ernest Hemingway, will present the prestigious literary award to Mr. Cole on Sunday, April 1, at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.

Boston —The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum today announced that it has opened and made available for research the first section of the Personal Papers of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. This portion of the collection features never-before-seen historic records from Mrs. Kennedy’s years as First Lady, including material relating to her efforts to restore the state rooms of the White House and her highly acclaimed televised tour of the First Family’s home, which aired on February 14, 1962 – fifty years ago tomorrow.

BOSTON– The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum today announced that it has declassified and made available the final 45 hours of White House recordings that were secretly taped during President John F. Kennedy’s time in office. In all, President Kennedy recorded over 248 hours of meeting conversations and 12 hours of dictabelt telephone conversations on a system that remained a closely held secret even from his top aides. Today’s release encompasses meetings held during the three months leading up to the end of the Kennedy Administration.

Boston —The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library Foundation today announced that it is partnering with the global law firm Bingham McCutchen in presenting JFK50: Justice For All, a 50th anniversary commemoration and celebration of the Kennedy presidency that will examine the core ideals that propelled the civil rights movement of the 1960s and continue to be of vital importance today.

Cambridge, MA – Caroline Kennedy will present the eighth annual John F. Kennedy New Frontier Award on Nov. 21 to Luke Ravenstahl, Mayor of Pittsburgh, PA, and Jennifer Staple-Clark, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Unite for Sight.

Boston, MA- The Museum at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library will honor our nation’s service men and women by giving all United States Veterans free admission to the Museum from Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, through Sunday, November 13. Active military personnel and children ages 12 and under receive free admission throughout the year.

BOSTON, MA- To help mark the 50th Anniversary of the Kennedy Presidency, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation has partnered with Google which professionally translated six of President Kennedy’s most historic speeches into twelve languages.

Boston, MA- The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation announced today that the national John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest, with a first place prize totaling $10,000, is now open and accepting submissions from U.S. high school students. The deadline for entries is Saturday, January 7, 2012.

Boston, MA – On September 14, 2011, the Museum at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library will unveil a special new exhibit, In Her Voice: Jacqueline Kennedy, The White House Years. The exhibit presents excerpts from Mrs. Kennedy’s 1964 oral history in combination with iconic treasures from the Kennedy Library’s collection that chronicle the moments and events described by the former First Lady.

BOSTON – On what marks the 50th anniversary of President John F. Kennedy’s first challenge to the country to commit to sending a man to the moon before the end of the 1960s, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum today announced that it has declassified and made available for research a presidential recording of President Kennedy and NASA Administrator James Webb discussing the future of the US space program. The meeting was held in the White House on September 18, 1963 and reveals President Kennedy’s private concerns over waning public support for space exploration.