Essay About A. Jack And Jacqueline Kennedy

The Marriage of John and Jaqueline Kennedy
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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.
III. 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 Kennedys 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 Cameragirl.” 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 Bartletts 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 doeuvres 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 Bartletts 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. Marys 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 Jackies two children that survived infancy, she had several other
pregnancies that ended in tragedy. The Kennedys first pregnancy in 1956 ended in
miscarriage. Jacks 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 Jackies