JFK visits Cincinnati during 1960 campaign and mispronounces city's name

Running for president in 1960, Sen. John F. Kennedy made a campaign trip here just 30 days before the election. Before speaking downtown, Kennedy visited three homes on Park Avenue in Newport. He wanted to meet Gold Star Mothers – women who had lost sons in World War II, as his mother had. Kennedy had tea with Ethel Steil and her family in their living room, then kissed and hugged her and her granddaughter when he left. He was greeted by a large crowd on Government Square and mispronounced the city’s name, calling it “Cincin-notty,” then made fun of himself.