JFK was famous because he was different from most presidents. He was only 43 when he was elected our first Roman Catholic President. He had a youthful, vigorous approach that made many American believe that almost anything was possible. He advanced the nation's new space program by declaring that NASA would put a man on the moon within ten years. This happened, but he didn't live to see it. His death, though tragic, reminded the world no matter what happens to the man, the office of the president continues.
This stamp commemorates our thirty- fifth president. The idea for the portrait came from the cover of a 1965 edition of Time magazine. The picture had never been published before that. It is a simple photograph of his face with no background. It could have been taken anywhere during his years in office. The youthful appearance reminds us that he died so young.