28. John F. Kennedy
Kennedy’s abbreviated presidency began ineptly, leading to failures over Cuba and humiliation at the hands of the Soviets, but by the autumn of 1963 his administration had achieved considerable success. His greatest influence was his challenge to the nation, first expressed in 1961, to place a man on the moon and return him safely to Earth before the end of the decade. After his death the program which he had inspired, as well as inspired the nation to support, achieved his goal when Apollo 11 placed two men on the moon and then brought them home. By 1972 most Americans viewed a trip to the moon as routine.