How to learn more about Senator Edward Kennedy

I grew up in Massachusetts, the daughter of two very big Kennedy fans. My parents were very tuned into everything political and I did not appreciate that til I was much older.

Today, the loss of Senator Edward Kennedy brings back great memories of my parents as well as how much I learned about politics and the Kennedy family from them.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. There are many resources in which to find out more about Senator Kennedy. Your local library can provide you with countless books on the history of the Kennedy family including a tremendous amount of information on Edward Kennedy.
   
   Please reference the resource links for more information.

2. Edward M. Kennedy was born on February 22, 1932 in Boston, Massachusetts. He was the youngest of nine children of Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. and Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy. A lawyer and politician, Kennedy attended Harvard College and University of Virginia School of Law.
   (see the resource section for links to these schools)

3. He married Virginia Joan Bennett (known commonly as "Joan") on November 29, 1958,in Bronxville, New York. Edward and Joan had three children: Kara Anne, Edward Jr., and Patrick.
   (see the resources section for links to more about Kennedy's family)

4. Kennedy was sworn in to the Senate on November 7, 1962. He was known as the more "affable" of his political brothers, John and Robert.
   
   Kennedy decided to run for president against fellow Democrat Jimmy Carter in 1980. He withdrew from the race on August 11, 1980 and delivered an amazing speech. (see resource section for link to video)

5. Ted Kennedy and his wife, Joan, divorced in 1982. In 1992, he married Victoria Reggie, a Washington lawyer. She was credited with stabilizing his personal life and helping him continue a career in the Senate.

6. In May 2008, Kennedy was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Even after surgery and a seizure, he vowed to attend the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama on January 20, 2009. He suffered a seizure at the inaugural luncheon.

7. Kennedy died of brain cancer on Tuesday, August 25, 2009, at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts.

Resources

• Senator Edward Kennedy - 1980 Speech/Video
• Senator Edward Kennedy - Official Website

[waters]

on 9/26/2009 Good information on how to learn more about Edward Kennedy. 5*

[tracysmith159]

on 9/6/2009 Interesting facts.

[shenandoah]

on 9/5/2009 Nicely written tribute to a great man. 5*

[xivyisazombiex]

on 9/4/2009 Good information. He was a good man. Thank you and a recommendation.

[kristara]

on 9/1/2009 Great information about a great American 5*