November 22 at 2:00 pm
Free
On Sunday, November 22, 2026, at 2 pm in the Lewis and Clark Betty Strong Interpretive Center, Russ Gifford will present “Remembering JFK – And Why He Matters” It has been over six decades since JFK’s Presidency. He served less than a full term, and his major legislative agenda was permanently stalled on Capitol Hill. What difference could he possibly have made that matters six decades later? The answer: more than you might think according to Russ Gifford. Admission is free, but freewill donations are encouraged.
Russ Gifford will recount the stories you know: the brinkmanship facing down Khrushchev and the Soviets. The confrontation and creation of the Berlin Wall. The harrowing moments leading to a bold decision after the Soviet missiles were discovered in Cuba. The fights with Congress over legislation were right but could not advance. His bold declaration that put us in the Space Race to reach the moon. His choice to put the prestige of the Presidency on the side of the Civil Rights battles.
But to most American’s today, that’s ancient history. What does it matter now? “Kennedy’s Presidency – not his death, but his presidency – set a new standard for every Presidency,” says Gifford. He adds that we all recognize that campaign methods have been copied by everyone, “but what we miss is more important: They might use his style to get elected. But if they do, and ignore his message, they become one term presidents.” “We recognize that Kennedy changed the formula on who will become President – specifically, the use of the primaries to decide who will be considered at the national conventions. But more importantly, he changed how we define what a successful president does, and how he acts, says Gifford. “It has been true for 50 years,” he adds.
But today we also see a new reality. The torch is again passing to a new generation. Kennedy’s memory lives on, but it is from passed down memories. The people that saw Kennedy as an actual president are now 70 or older. “Today’s candidates are no longer attempting to emulate a successful, youthful president that captured the imagination of a generation of Americas.”
Join us at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center as Russ Gifford delves into the events and the era to see how Kennedy’s short time in office changed America forever. Gifford takes listeners back to the 1960s with stories and clips of events that Kennedy faced, including the confrontations, the close calls, and why Kennedy saw that choice as important. Hear the whole story at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center on November 22. The program starts at 2:00 pm.
Russ Gifford, Senior Lecturer with Western Iowa Tech’s Institute for Lifelong Learning, delivers tales of American history to audiences in the Siouxland region. His two decades of programs include over 400 unique talks, including a focus on Leadership skills presented by various American Presidents. He has also published numerous articles and historical papers. His work garnered two teaching awards, and his lectures have been supported by grants from Humanities Iowa, the Kind World Foundation, and others.
The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center/Betty Strong Encounter Center was built and is sustained by the Missouri River Historic Development Organization as a gift of history to the community. For more information call 712-224-5242. Find the Center at www.siouxcitylcic.com or www.facebook.com/sclandc.
