The Youngest President of the United States

President Kennedy was the youngest man to be elected president, taking office at the age of 43 years, 236 days. He served in the Navy during World War II and gained notoriety for his brave actions that helped save fellow sailors when his PT boat was destroyed by a Japanese destroyer.

Upon his return home, John F. Kennedy put his energies into politics, where he served as a congressman and later as a member of the Senate. In 1956, he was named the Democratic nominee and wowed audiences in televised debates against Republican nominee Richard Nixon.

Sadly, Kennedy was also the youngest president to fall victim to assassination.

His presidency ended with shots heard around the world as he perished on November 22, 1963. Although he met an untimely end, he left a legacy that the Peace Corps and civil rights leaders would continue in the following decades for the pursuit of equality for all.

Major Events of JFK's Presidency

Assuming office at such a young age would be an incredible weight by itself, but Kennedy also had to wrestle with constant stressors from one of the most eventful presidencies in the nation's history, which included the following.

Although he wasn't elected for his first term, Theodore Roosevelt distinguished himself as the youngest president when he assumed office at the age of 42 years, 322 days. The vice president took over following the death of President William McKinley, who was assassinated on September 6, 1901.

Although former President McKinley is ranked as an above-average president (yes, there are academic rankings for best and worst presidents), the future Republican Candidate from New York quickly surpassed his legacy and gained popularity among Americans and citizens of other countries across the globe for his stewardship of his people and the American wild.

Teddy Roosevelt's greatest achievements as President of the United States focused on conservation through expansions of national parks and natural preserves.

Here are a few more of the youngest presidents in the nation's history based on their age at their inauguration.

1. Bill Clinton (46 Years, 5 Months)

Democratic President Bill Clinton took office in 1993 following the collapse of the Berlin Wall and the Soviet Union, which ended the Cold War. One of the largest challenges Clinton faced during his presidency was enacting test bans for offensive weapons to ensure that future generations would be less likely to face the threat of nuclear war.

2. Ulysses S. Grant (46 Years, 10 Months)

Although Ulysses S. Grant played a pivotal role in serving as a key general for the Union forces during the Civil War, his experience on the battlefield did not translate well to politics. His two-term presidency was significantly overshadowed by the accomplishments of his predecessor, Abraham Lincoln.

3. Barack Obama (47 Years, 5 Months)

The first Black president, young and energetic, came into office amid unprecedented economic headwinds and ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Former president Barack Obama was best known for bringing Al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden to justice for the September 11 attacks and establishing the Affordable Care Act in 2010.

4. Grover Cleveland (47 Years, 11 Months)

Grover Cleveland was the only president of the United States to serve two nonconsecutive terms, so he is both the 22nd and 24th. His single-minded approach toward his political duties was often known to bleed into his vices, as he is ranked as Fitness Magazine's most unhealthy president — even over Taft, who famously became stuck in his bathtub.

5. Franklin Pierce (48 Years, 3 Months)

Franklin Pierce is one of the least memorable presidents in history. He lived out his single term in relative peace and boredom, and few iconic events occurred under his leadership. However, many historians point to the growing tensions around slavery that would become an existential threat to future presidents.