in '61, the Soviets decided to test the new president's courage. The USSR decided to make Berlin, Germany the center of the cold War. They began to intensify their pressures on West Berlin, which was under the protection of the US and was surrounded by Communist territory. Kennedy believed that the Allies had a right to the Western sector and when the Soviets built a wall splitting the city, we strengthened our military personnel. The threat subsided by 1962.Another threat was brewing closer to home though. In Cuba, nuclear weapons were spotted on aerial photographs. Soviet forces were again behind this as well. So, Kennedy insisted that they withdraw their weapons and issued a naval blockade to the island. The "Cuban Missile Crisis", as it is commonly referred, lasted for over a week and was among the scariest moments in our history. Finally, the crisis ended with the USSR removing the weapons and Kennedy was the hero in the United States.After all these triumphs so early on into his term it is no wonder why Kennedy was loved. He was at the prime of his campaign and the citizens were in awe of the way he handled the affairs of our country. Kennedy was well aware of his popularity and wanted to be close to the people that not only loved him, but the people whom he loved himself. He wanted to be so close that on a political tour of Dallas, Texas in late 1963 he opted to forgo a closed limousine and decided to ride in an open car. This proved to be the biggest mistake of his life.The motorcade was minutes away from its destination, as the convertable-like luxury car carrying John, his wife Jacqueline, and Texas Governor John B. Connally pulled slowly through Dealy Plaza. Hundreds of people lined the street, hoping to catch a glimpse of their president, on this sunny, beautiful day. All of downtown Dallas had a sense of happiness and joy. Then, it happened.Three shots burst through the air and struck panic and fear across ...
