Скачать или смотреть A Handshake That Changed History

In July 1963, a 16-year-old Bill Clinton shook hands with President John F. Kennedy at the White House. The meeting lasted only seconds, but it left a deep impression. Clinton later described it as the moment he decided to pursue public service, unaware that Kennedy would be assassinated just months later. Bill Clinton attended the White House as part of the American Legion Boys Nation program, which brought selected students to Washington to learn about government. During the event, Kennedy stepped outside to greet the group personally. Clinton positioned himself carefully so he would be close enough to meet the president. The handshake was brief, but Kennedy’s presence, confidence, and message about service resonated deeply. After Kennedy’s death in November 1963, the moment gained even more meaning. Clinton kept the photo for decades, often referencing it during his political campaigns. Nearly 30 years later, he became the 42nd president of the United States, turning a teenage encounter into a defining origin story of his career.