In the spring of 1943, John F. Kennedy took command of a 56-ton attack boat, PT-109. While on a routine mission that August, a Japanese destroyer emerged out of the darkness, racing at 40 knots, and split Kennedy's boat in half. Explore more at pbs.org/presidents. | American Experience | PBS

8.6K views · 142 reactions | "Today in 1962, President John F. Kennedy delivers a powerful speech in Houston, Texas. The message provided motivation to the American public as the United States was racing to become the first country to send man to the Moon. The country would achieve this feat less than seven years later during Apollo 11." -- Space Center Houston | KHOU 11 News | Facebook