The Early Years:

Robert F. Kennedy was born Nov. 20, 1925, in Brookline, Mass., the seventh child of Rose and Joseph P. Kennedy.

At age 2, he moved to Riverdale, N.Y., and lived in New York until 6th grade. His family traveled to London, England, for two years with his father, Joseph Kennedy, who was the U.S. ambassador to England.

After high school, during World War II, Robert F. Kennedy joined the Navy. After the war, he attended Harvard University, where he played varsity football and other sports. When he was older, he loved to play touch football games with friends and family and even climbed the highest mountain in North America, Mt. Kennedy, named for his brother, President John F. Kennedy. He later graduated from University of Virginia Law School.

A Life of Public Service:

In 1960 he helped his brother, John F. Kennedy become president. After the election, he was appointed U.S. attorney general. As attorney general he stood up to bullies, whether they were in government, law enforcement or on the streets. He fought organized crime and stood up for African- Americans, helping them exercise their right to vote, attend integrated schools and use all public facilities.

New York's Senator:

In 1963 his brother, President Kennedy, was killed. Soon he resigned as attorney general and, in 1964, ran successfully for the United States Senate from New York. He created programs for underprivileged children and students with disabilities in New York state. Kennedy loved children. He and his wife Ethel had 11 children who would often visit him at work. He worked to make sure all children could obtain a good education, a decent place to live and enough food to eat. He also loved dogs, even bringing them with him to work in the U.S. Justice Department, the U.S. Senate and later on the campaign trail as he ran for President.

In 1968, he ran for U.S. president. His candidacy inspired thousands of young people across the country to get involved in politics and brought together people of many different races. Sadly, after a campaign event June 5, 1968, in Los Angeles, Calif., Robert Kennedy was shot and later died.

Courage to Stand Up and Speak Out:

Robert F. Kennedy was not afraid to go after criminals who broke the law, especially those who hurt others or did not respect the rights of other citizens because they were of a different race. He believed all people were born with basic human rights that must be protected. In 1966, he traveled to South Africa and told students "We must recognize the full human equality of all of our people ...We must do it for the single and fundamental reason that it is the right thing to do."