The Kennedys portrays the intimate lives of the United States' most iconic family against the backdrop of historic events such as the Bay of Pigs Invasion, the passing of the Civil Rights Act, the construction of the Berlin Wall and the Cuban Missile Crisis. After losing his chance to become president as US ambassador to the United Kingdom, Joseph "Joe Senior" Kennedy vows that he will not rest until his son becomes the first Catholic president of the United States. Joe doesn't stop at all to achieve his goal, but keeps his word. On November 8, 1960, his son John F. Kennedy was elected as the 35th President of the United States. But even when Jack is president, Joe remains firmly in control of the Kennedy family.