On June 5, 1968, New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy was tragically assassinated at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles while campaigning for the Democratic presidential nomination. At 42 years old, Kennedy had just delivered a victory speech after winning the California primary race before he was shot by Sirhan Sirhan, a Palestinian immigrant. Kennedy passed away on June 6, leaving behind a nation in shock during a turbulent time in American history marked by the Vietnam War and civil unrest.
Born on November 20, 1925, in Brookline, Massachusetts, Robert Kennedy came from a prominent political family and had a distinguished education, earning a law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and later went on to manage his brother John F. Kennedy’s successful campaign for the U.S. Senate. After JFK’s election, Robert was appointed attorney general in his cabinet, a role he continued under President Lyndon B. Johnson after his brother’s assassination in 1963.
Following his time as attorney general, Robert Kennedy ran for a seat in the U.S. Senate representing New York, marking his first campaign for public office. In March 1968, he announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination, stirring enthusiasm and hope among Americans troubled by discontent, violence, and the Vietnam War. Despite facing tragedy during his campaign, such as the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., Kennedy persevered and won critical primaries in Indiana and Nebraska, speaking to enthusiastic crowds nationwide.
Kennedy’s legacy as a dedicated social activist and advocate for human rights lives on through the nonprofit organization “Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights.” In 2022, Gov. Gavin Newsom of California rejected parole for assassin Sirhan Sirhan over half a century after Kennedy’s death, citing the heinous nature of the crime. The political dynasty of the Kennedy family continues, with Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent environmental lawyer and activist, launching a Democratic challenge against Joe Biden in the 2024 presidential race as an independent candidate.
The tragic assassination of Robert F. Kennedy on June 5, 1968, marked a pivotal moment in American history. Kennedy’s commitment to social justice and human rights, as well as his untimely death at the peak of his political career, resonates with generations of Americans to this day. The impact of his loss continues to be felt, as his family’s political legacy endures in the form of ongoing activism and public service. The memory of Robert F. Kennedy lives on as a beacon of hope and inspiration for those dedicated to making positive change in the world.
