JFK’s Connection to Columbia

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WOLO) — “The common ties of South Carolina and Massachusetts — a common history, a common citizenship and an inseparable destiny.” Those are the words of then-Senator John F. Kennedy’s commencement address to the University of South Carolina’s Class of 1957. 

“That was part of a broader program and effort by President Donald Russell to bring in national and international speakers,” says Elizabeth West, South Caroliniana Library 

The draft, complete with corrections, is part of an exhibit the university has showcasing Kennedy’s work, trips to the state and even his assassination. 

Kennedy’s speech brought out critics from both sides. 

Crandall Sims reporting, “Kennedy’s address here on the horseshoe in 1957 was one of the last. Graduation was moved to the Carolina Coliseum in 1964.”

JFK made another trip to South Carolina in 1960, when campaigning for office. 

Back then, only a few states had primaries, South Carolina did not. 

“When the candidate came to your state, it was a big deal,” says Robert Moore, retired professor of Columbia College. 

Fritz Hollings was governor. 

“He was young, energetic and gave new life to politics,” says Moore when talking about Kennedy. 

Moore was teaching in 1960, he was also in the crowd when Kennedy addressed voters in 1960. 

“They had many of the students to dress in white dresses and put on sashes,” says Moore. 

Kennedy would go on to win the election, even carrying conservative South Carolina by just 10,000 votes. 

“He had the label, Democratic. That was before it was poison in South Carolina,” says Moore. 

But, the 1960 trip was Kennedy’s last trip to Columbia. He never returned as President. 

John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 23, 1963 in Dallas, Texas.