John Fitzgerald Kennedy fondly known as JFK was the 35th President of the United States of America. Born on May 29, 1917, in Brooklyn, Massachusetts, JFK was a popular leader of the Democratic front. He took office from January 20, 1961, to November 22, 1963, when the United States had been undergoing tensions with communist nations during the Cold War period. JFK’s reign saw some of the most momentous episodes in US history, which included the Cuban Missile Crisis – the closest the world has got to a nuclear war. He steered the US into a phase of low inflation and improved employment rates. On his birth anniversary, here are some lesser-known factors about John F Kennedy. US President Donald Trump's Twitter Typo Turns Him into a Joke Again.

1. Jack Was His Nickname

Although JFK's first name was John, he was called “Jack” affectionately by his family and people who knew him personally. The Kennedy family called him Jack ever since he was a baby and the nickname stuck on even as he became the President.

2. He Received ‘Last Rites’ 4 Times Before His Death

JFK battled a host of health problems from a young age. In fact, he came close to dying many times and had to be given the sacramental last rites (rituals conducted for a person nearing death) four times in his life. One in 1947 when he suffered from Addison’s disease complications, another in 1951 when he had a high fever, third in 1954 when he slipped into a coma after a back surgery and finally in 1963, when he was shot dead in Dallas.

3. He Was One of the RICHEST Presidents

JFK came from a well-heeled family and was one of the wealthiest presidents based on his family fortunes. He was the second-richest president of the US. At the time of his death, his inheritance was worth $1 billion. Joseph Kennedy, his dad, was a smart investor. But JFK donated his presidential and congressional salary to charity.

4. He Won the Pulitzer Prize

JFK wrote Profiles in Courage during his reign as a senator from Massachusetts. The book comprises short biographies of eight US senators and their bravery during the American Civil War. The book won a Pulitzer in 1957, but today, many challenge his authorship, saying that JFK may have employed ghostwriters.

5. Jack Loved Animals

JFK was a lover of animals and during his term as President, the White House practically became a zoo! Five horses, two hamsters, a cat, a rabbit and five dogs roosted at the President’s official residence.

6. JFK Had Superhuman Reading Speed!

Not many may know but the 35th President of the United States was a fast reader. While an average reader can accomplish 150-300 words a minute, JFK could apparently read 1,200 words. A reading speed as fast as that points to his exceptional verbal comprehension skills.

7. He Established Peace Corps

JFK established Peace Corps, a volunteer programme run by the US government, in 1961. It was brought in as a counter measure to rising communist ideals. It aimed to enrol young people to provide economic and technical assistance to the community, especially in areas of AIDS, hunger, ecology and technology.

JFK and Jackie Kennedy (Photo Credits: Wikimedia Commons)

8. He Probably Had Two Wives

The much-admired Jackie Kennedy Onassis, who was a picture of strength in the aftermath of JFK’s assassination, wasn’t his first wife according to many accounts. He was said to have married socialite Durie Malcolm before Jackie and had allegedly not divorced her. That would technically make him a bigamist.

9. His Administration was Called Camelot

The iconic reign of John F Kennedy-led administration was known as Camelot, due to the big changes brought about during his presidency. The name was an allusion to King Arthur’s legendary castle Camelot and a symbol of his utopian rule. At an interview given after JFK’s assassination, Jackie poignant quoted the closing lines of the Broadway musical Camelot, which the President enjoyed.

“Don't let it be forgot, that once there was a spot, for one brief, shining moment that was known as Camelot. There'll be great presidents again ... but there will never be another Camelot.”

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 29, 2019 01:50 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).