Today is Presidents Day, and we are in a presidential election year. But when was the last time a candidate was elected to the White House without winning the Buckeye State? The year was 1960. The candidate was John F. Kennedy. When the votes were counted on Nov. 8, 1960, Mr. Kennedy, 43, became the youngest man and the first Catholic to be elected president. But he lost in Ohio to Vice President Richard Nixon, a Republican. The Democratic senator from Massachusetts made two trips to Toledo, one in Sept., 1959, and another on Nov. 4, 1960, as part of his presidential campaign. Each time, he drew large crowds. During his November campaign stop, he was greeted by 1,200 people at Toledo Express airport. This photo from The Blade archives shows the senator leaving the airport and waving to onlookers. Another 25,000 people crowded into the area surrounding the Lucas County Courthouse in Toledo to hear his speech. John F. Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th president of the United States on Jan. 20, 1961, and during his inaugural address he delivered what became an oft-quoted phrase “… my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country." In his short time as president, Kennedy created the Peace Corps, navigated the country through the Cuban missile crisis, challenged the nation to put an American on the moon before the end of the decade, and proposed Civil Rights legislation to Congress. He was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald on Nov. 21, 1963.
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Ashley Wang, 9, poses for a picture with two giant pandas during a Chinese New Year celebration at the Park Inn on February 14, 2016.
The Blade/Amy E. Voigt
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Deputy Chief Benjamin Tucker of the Toledo Police Department and TPD school resource officer Tony Moore speak to students during a new "Blue Lunch Special" outreach program at Rosa Parks Elementary School, Tuesday, February 10, 2016, in Toledo. The program features Toledo Police Department school resource officers from high schools eating lunch at TPS elementary schools.
The Blade/Andy Morrison
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"Bride" Macey Samson and "groom" Marvelle Baldwin get candy rings as kindergarteners at Greenwood Elementary hold a a Q-U Wedding to celebrate Valentine's Day and the end of learning all of the letters of the alphabet on Thursday.
The Blade/Andy Morrison
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As his mother Kelly Allen sits nearby, Henry, 2, digs into some applesauce during the first Lenten Friday Fish Fry on February 12, 2016, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in South Toledo. Hundreds of patrons lined up for their baked and broiled fish dinners.
The Blade/Katie Rausch
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Anna Reed, 8, gives a patron change as she sells treats from her Brownie troop station during the first Lenten Friday Fish Fry on February 12, 2016, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in South Toledo. Hundreds of patrons lined up for their baked and broiled fish dinners.
The Blade/Katie Rausch
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Kent Branch Children's Librarian Angela Bronson calls on a kindergarten student after posing a question during Intensive StoryTime Tuesday, February 9, 2016, at Glenwood Elementary in West Toledo. The Toledo-Lucas County Public Library is paring with Toledo Public Schools to implement Intensive StoryTime. The program combines traditional storytelling with aspects of the Dialogic Reading technique, a more interactive approach in hopes the technique will boost early literacy and oral language skills.
The Blade/Katie Rausch
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Bakery manager Andy Haas pulls a batch of paczki from the fryer as another waits on the rack during the final stretch of baking Monday, February 8, 2016, at Haas Bakery in Oregon. Customers got the jump on Fat Tuesday by picking up their Paczki, traditional Polish pastries, from the bakery Monday evening. Mr. Haas said this year the bakery is whipping up about 1,500 dozen paczki in 24 different varieties.
The Blade/Katie Rausch
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Dan Kaniewski of Toledo rides his bike on North St. Clair Street in downtown Toledo as it snows, Tuesday, February 9, 2016. Kaniewski, 69, who said he gets exercise by riding his bike all of the time, was headed to shop at a local business.
The Blade/Dave Zapotosky
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Parking meters on North St. Clair Street in downtown Toledo are covered with snow, Tuesday, February 9, 2016.
The Blade/Dave Zapotosky
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Judge Tatyana Kalani, tickles an eight-month old Maine Coon named Fujiyama with her tail while judging her the "Best of Breed" during the 2016 International Cat Show at the Lucas County Recreation Center on February 14, 2016.
The Blade/Amy E. Voigt
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Judge Carlos Lopez, judges an eight-month old Scottish Fold named Gia during the 2016 International Cat Show at the Lucas County Recreation Center on February 14, 2016.
The Blade/Amy E. Voigt
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A Maine Coon named Fujiyama, left, who was judged "Best of Breed" tries to get the attention of a competitor with her paw during the 2016 International Cat Show at the Lucas County Recreation Center on February 14, 2016.
The Blade/Amy E. Voigt
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A ring billed gull soars along the Maumee River and into blowing snow near Orleans Park in Perrysburg, Tuesday, February 10, 2016, in Toledo.
The Blade/Andy Morrison
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Brad Tristan, Oregon, watches as his Dutch shepherd Korra catches a flying disc, Monday, February 8, 2016. The pair were burning off some energy at Maumee Bay State Park.
The Blade/Andy Morrison
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Southview's Matt Schaffer (12) yells after being fouled on a rebound during overtime in the Friday, February 12, 2016, cross-town Northern Lakes League basketball match up of Northview at Southview. Southview won in overtime, 56-52.
The Blade/Katie Rausch
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Moises Guillen, right, competes in the 138 weight class during the NLL League Wrestling Tournament at Anthony Wayne High School in Whitehouse, Ohio.
The Blade/Lori King
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BGSU's Ismail Ali guards Akron's Antino Jackson on his drive to the basket during basketball game at the Stroh Center in Bowling Green, Ohio.
The Blade/Lori King
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Rogers' Tanaya Beacham shoots against Woodward's Robin Dowdy (22) during a City League girls semifinal basketball game Wednesday, February 10, 2016, in Toledo, Ohio.
THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH
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Start's Mariah White (41) shoots against Scott's Keyahna Adams (20) during a City League girls semifinal basketball game Wednesday, February 10, 2016, in Toledo, Ohio.
THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH
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St. Francis de Sales player Brendan Furry (26) has his shot stopped by Bowling Green High School goalie Michael Koldan (30) as Noah Dubasik (16) defends on the play during their hockey game at Tam O Shanter in Sylvania on Friday, February 12, 2016.
The Blade/Andy Morrison
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St. John's Jesuit's Vincent Williams (32) attempts a dunk against Rogers during a basketball game Tuesday, February 9, 2016, in Toledo, Ohio.
THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH
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Toledo Walleye player Dominic Zombo (14) flattens Brampton Beast player Steve Mele (15) during the first period of their hockey game at The Huntington Center, Saturday, February 13, 2016.
Blade/Andy Morrison
Whitmer's Montrece Collins (12) drives to the basket against Lima Senior's Ruben Flowers (11) during a TRAAC basketball game Friday, February 12, 2016, in Toledo, Ohio. Lima Senior defeated Whitmer 82-74.
THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH
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UTmbb14 Toledo's Nathan Boothe (53) grabs his teammate Jonathan Williams (1) as he comes off the floor with about five minutes left to play in the second half of the Saturday, February 13, 2016, men's basketball match up against Miami at the University of Toledo. Toledo won, 93-48.
Blade/Katie Rausch
Toledo's fan section cheers on their team during the third quarter of the Saturday, February 13, 2016, women's basketball matchup between Ohio and the University of Toledo. Ohio won, 77-57.
Blade/Katie Rausch
Toledo's Sarah St-Fort (5) puts up two points over Ohio's Kiyanna Black (4) during the fourth quarter of the Saturday, February 13, 2016, women's basketball matchup at the University of Toledo. Ohio won, 77-57.
The Blade/Katie Rausch
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