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Thousands of Americans turn out to remember JFK on his 100th birthday

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Workers display a large birthday cake on the 100th anniversary of the birth of President John F. Kennedy on May 29, 1917, at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Reuters
Associated Press

Americans turned out by the thousands Monday to celebrate the life and legacy of President John F Kennedy on the day he would have turned 100.

The United States Postal Service commemorated Kennedy’s centennial with a dedication of a JFK postage stamp in Brookline, Massachusetts, a Boston suburb where the late president was born on May 29, 1917.

In this 1938 file photo, John F Kennedy, right, poses aboard an ocean liner with his father Joseph P Kennedy, centre, US Ambassador to Great Britain, and brother Joseph P Kennedy Jr, left. Monday, May 29, 2017 marks the 100-year anniversary of the birth of John F Kennedy, who went on to become the 35th President of the United States. Photo: AP
In this 1938 file photo, John F Kennedy, right, poses aboard an ocean liner with his father Joseph P Kennedy, centre, US Ambassador to Great Britain, and brother Joseph P Kennedy Jr, left. Monday, May 29, 2017 marks the 100-year anniversary of the birth of John F Kennedy, who went on to become the 35th President of the United States. Photo: AP
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The image on the stamp is a 1960 photograph by Ted Spiegel of Kennedy when he was campaigning for president in Seattle. Boston Postmaster Nick Francescucci said the stamp was selected because of the way Kennedy was looking up.

“His eyes were high, they were looking to the sky (and) it looked like there was a big bright future ahead of us,” Francescucci said.

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US Congressman Joe Kennedy III greets a well-wisher following ceremonies on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Congressman Kennedy's great-uncle, US President John F Kennedy, outside the home where President Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts. Photo: Reuters
US Congressman Joe Kennedy III greets a well-wisher following ceremonies on the 100th anniversary of the birth of Congressman Kennedy's great-uncle, US President John F Kennedy, outside the home where President Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts. Photo: Reuters

Democratic US Rep. Joe Kennedy III gave the keynote speech at the John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site — JFK’s birthplace and childhood home. His great-uncle, he said, was a man who had honest and infectious pride. He not only implored a generation to serve, but he promised them a country worthy of their service, the congressman said.

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