Born This Day: Senator Robert F. Kennedy

By JIM PURCELL

Born this day, on November 20, 1925, was Robert Francis Kennedy, commonly known as "RFK." RFK was a politician originally from Massachusetts. He was the 64th U.S. Attorney General, appointed by his brother, President John F. Kennedy. As Attorney General, RFK served from Jan. 1961 to Sept. 1964. He then went on to serve as a U.S. senator, representing the state of New York, from January 1965 until his assassination, in 1968. At the time of his death, Robert Kennedy was the Democratic candidate for the Presidential Election that year; his main competition coming from then-former Vice President Richard M. Nixon.

Robert F. Kennedy

Before Mr. Kennedy was murdered by 24-year-old Sirhan Sirhan, a Palestinian, he was running on alleviating the plight of the poor, racism against African-Americans, Hispanics and unfair business practices against union and non-union laborers.

RFK served during World War II as a seaman apprentice in the United States Navy Reserve, from 1944 until 1946. After the service, Robert Kennedy went on to earn degrees from both Harvard University and the University of Virginia. Prior to serving in public office, Mr. Kennedy was employed as a correspondent for the Boston Globe. Later, he worked as an assistant counsel for the Senate committee chaired by then-Sen. Joe McCarthy.

RFK served as the campaign manager for his brother, John's, presidential campaign run in 1960.