John F Kennedy was Americas second youngest elected president.

He oversaw one of the

most crucial moments in the Cold War (Cuban Missile Crisis) and sought to affirm Americas beliefs in basic human
rights by calling for civil rights legislation and an attack on poverty and degradation. Assassinated in November 22,
1963, his tragic death shocked America and the world.
Born in May 1917, John F. Kennedy came from an illustrious political family; his father Joseph Kennedy was a
leading member of the Democrat party and Joseph encouraged John F. Kennedy in his political ambitions after the
war.
John graduated from Harvard after completing a thesis on Appeasement in Munich His thesis was later converted
into a successful book Why England Slept.
Before America joined the war, John joined the navy and saw action throughout the Pacific theatre. In August 1943,
his boat was rammed by a Japanese destroyer Amagiri. John F Kennedy was later decorated for his outstanding
bravery in rescuing a fellow crewman; he was also awarded the Purple heart for later action. Later he was modest
about his actions, saying he felt a bit embarrassed as it resulted from a botched military action.
In 1946, he won a seat in Boston for the US House of Representatives, and in 1952 got himself elected for the US
Senate, defeating the incumbent Republican.
In 1953, he married Jacqueline Lee Bouvier. In 1957 he was awarded the Pulitzer prize for biography for his book
Profiles in Courage a book about US Senators who stood up for their personal beliefs.
In 1956, he was nearly chosen to be the Vice Presidential candidate for Adlai Stevenson. The national exposure
raised his profile, and in 1960 he was chosen to be the Democratic nomination for the Presidency.
In 1960, in a very tight election, John F. Kennedy narrowly defeated the much fancied Republican, Richard Nixon. It
was a memorable election with many millions glued to the tv in the pre-election hustings. John F Kennedy came
across very well on TV and looked more relaxed and professional on camera.
It was the first time a Roman Catholic had been elected president and it was a big issue in America where many
Protestants distrusted the prospect of America being influenced by the Vatican. He had to assure voters he was not a
Catholic candidate for presidency, but someone standing for President who happened to be a Catholic.
During his inauguration, JFK, gave a very memorable speech, where he famously encouraged citizens to help the
nation become strong again.
Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country.
He also called for greater internationalism.

We will make clear that Americas enduring concern is for both peace and freedom; that we are anxious to live in
harmony with the Russian people; that we seek no conquests, no satellites, no riches; that we seek only the day when
nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
In 1961, Kennedy ordered the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. It was mostly led by Cuban exiles with minimal US
support. However, the invasion was a failure leading to embarrassing negotiations with Fidel Castros Cuba.
In 1962, the world came extraordinarily close to nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Soviet Union
moved missiles to Cuba. Many in the American military were keen on an air strike on the missile bases. But,
Kennedy chose a more cautious diplomatic approach. He found a way to offer Khrushchev a way out without losing
face, whilst making sure the missiles were removed from Cuba.
During his brief presidency, John F Kennedy oversaw an escalation of US involvement in Vietnam, which included
sending 16,000 military advisers to the country. Later, Kennedys secretary of defence Robert McNamara said
Kennedy was considering pulling out of Vietnam in 1963 and believes that if Kennedy had survived, American
involvement would have ended. Tapes showed that Lyndon Johnson later criticised Kennedys opinion that America
should withdraw.
Ich Bin Ein Berliner
In June 1963, Kennedy made a memorable speech in West Berlin. He criticised the Soviets for their divisive wall.
He stated:
Freedom has many difficulties and democracy is not perfect, but we have never had to put a wall up to keep our
people in.
John F Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963. Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested and put on trial for his
murder. However, before he could reach trial, Lee Harvey Oswald was himself murdered by Jack Ruby. Lee Harvey
Oswald always pleaded innocence and many believe the assassination was a conspiracy.

Measurements Conversion Chart

US Dry Volume Measurements
MEASURE
1/16 teaspoon

EQUIVALENT
dash

1/8 teaspoon

a pinch

3 teaspoons

1 Tablespoon

1/8 cup

2 tablespoons (= 1 standard coffee scoop)

1/4 cup

4 Tablespoons

1/3 cup

5 Tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon

1/2 cup

8 Tablespoons

3/4 cup

12 Tablespoons

1 cup

16 Tablespoons

1 Pound

16 ounces
US liquid volume measurements

8 Fluid ounces

1 Cup

1 Pint

2 Cups (= 16 fluid ounces)

1 Quart

2 Pints (= 4 cups)

1 Gallon

4 Quarts (= 16 cups)
US to Metric Conversions

1/5 teaspoon

1 ml (ml stands for milliliter, one thousandth of a liter)

1 teaspoon

5 ml

1 tablespoon

15 ml

1 fluid oz.

30 ml

1/5 cup

50 ml

1 cup

240 ml

2 cups (1 pint)

470 ml

4 cups (1 quart)

.95 liter

4 quarts (1 gal.)

3.8 liters

1 oz.

28 grams

1 pound

454 grams
Metric to US Conversions

1 milliliter

1/5 teaspoon

5 ml

1 teaspoon

15 ml

1 tablespoon

30 ml

1 fluid oz.

100 ml

3.4 fluid oz.

240 ml

1 cup

1 liter

34 fluid oz.

1 liter

4.2 cups

1 liter

2.1 pints

1 liter

1.06 quarts

1 liter

.26 gallon

1 gram

.035 ounce

100 grams

3.5 ounces

500 grams

1.10 pounds

1 kilogram

2.205 pounds

1 kilogram

35 oz.
Pan Size Equivalents

9-by-13-inches baking
dish

22-by-33-centimeter baking dish

8-by-8-inches baking dish 20-by-20-centimeter baking dish

9-by-5-inches loaf pan

23-by-12-centimeter loaf pan (=8 cups or 2 liters in

capacity)

10-inch tart or cake pan

25-centimeter tart or cake pan

9-inch cake pan

22-centimeter cake pan

Oven Temperature Conversions

Farenheit

Celsius

Gas Mark

275 F

140 C

gas mark 1-cool

300 F

150 C

gas mark 2

325 F

165 C

gas mark 3-very moderate

350 F

180 C

gas mark 4-moderate

375 F

190 C

gas mark 5

400 F

200 C

gas mark 6-moderately hot

425 F

220 C

gas mark 7- hot

450 F

230 C

gas mark 9

475 F

240 C

gas mark 10- very hot

Ratios for selected foods

Measure

Equivalents
Butter

1 T.
1 stick

14 grams
4 ounces=113 grams

1 Tablespoon
8 tablespoons

cup

4 sticks

16 ounces=452 grams

32 tablespoons

2
cups

Lemon
1 lemon

1 to 3 tablespoons juice, 1 to 1
teaspoons grated zest

4 large lemons

1 cup juice

cup grated zest

Chocolate

1 ounce

cup grated 40 grams

6 ounces chips

1 cup chips 160 grams

cocoa powder

1 cup 115 grams

Creams

Half and half

milk cream

10.5 to 18 %
butterfat

Light cream

18 % butterfat

Light whipping
cream

26-30 % butterfat

Heavy cream

whipping cream

36 % or more
butterfat

Double cream

extra-thick double cream,

Clotted or Devonshire

42 % butterfat

Measures for Pans and Dishes

Inches

Centimeters

9-by-13-inches baking dish

22-by-33-centimeter baking dish

8-by-8-inches baking dish

20-by-20-centimeter baking dish

9-by-5-inches loaf pan (8 cups in

capacity)

23-by-12-centimeter loaf pan (2 liters in

capacity)

10-inch tart or cake pan

25-centimeter tart or cake pan

9-inch cake pan

22-centimeter cake pan