J.F.K.

John F. Kennedy is the US president most closely associated with the space race. This is largely because he was the most vocal proponent of landing on the moon, which would become America's greatest achievement in space. JFK said we should go to the moon "not because it is easy, but because it is hard". His words inspired American's to perceive landing on the moon as a patriotic victory as opposed to a mere scientific advancement. So JFK, did play a large role, but he did not begin or end the space race as some might think. Even the decision to spend the money and time on a moon landing was partially due to the input of vice president Lyndon Johnson. Unfortunately JFK would not get to be able to see his goal become reality, he was assassinated in 1963.

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