The Center for Politics is preparing to commemorate the 50th anniversary of John F. Kennedy's election as president. The Center plans to release a new book, an interview with "Meet the Press" and a nationally aired PBS documentary to reflect on an era that is considered "among the most politically transformative years in American history," stated Politics Prof. Larry Sabato, the Center's director.
The Center announced the prospective release of a new book by Sabato, "The Kennedy Half-Century: the Lasting Legacy of John F. Kennedy," yesterday. It is expected to be published in November 2013 by Walker & Company, marking Kennedy's assassination Nov. 22, 1963. The book will describe the events of the Kennedy administration and will look specifically at how his incumbency has since affected the American public, media and following presidential campaigns and administrations.
"The emphasis of this book, and of the Center's Golden Anniversary Series on this topic, is on drawing out how Americans before, during, and after his presidency viewed him and to explore why he has affected the American psyche in such a unique way," Sabato stated in an e-mail.
Sabato has collaborated with pollsters Peter Hart and Geoff Garin to conduct the largest survey ever about the American public opinion of one historical figure. Hart and Garin will survey both individuals who were alive at the time of Kennedy's assassination and members of later generations. In addition, Sabato will travel to the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas to interview eyewitnesses of the shooting.
The point is to get views from all sorts of people," said Isaac Wood, Center for Politics media relations coordinator and a former Cavalier Daily opinion columnist. "We hope to learn something fresh and revealing and get the historical facts, too ... We don't want it to be the same boring story over and over again."
Sabato will also participate in an interview with "Meet the Press" scheduled for this Saturday. Based on this interview and the research Sabato will conduct for his book, the Center will produce a documentary with PBS about Kennedy's life. Like the book, this documentary is expected to be released in November 2013. Each of these releases will be integral to the Center's Golden Anniversary Series, a collection of events, publications and productions to commemorate the 1960s.
"John F. Kennedy's life, administration and tragic assassination made an indelible mark on the consciousness of this country," Sabato said. "His legacy, both good and bad, lives on in countless ways and will continue to affect generations to come."
-Rebecca Rubin contributed to this article
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