Bogota, Colombia's capital city, is divided by 20 districts (Localidades, in Sapnish). One of them was named Kennedy, after the former president of the United States who founded the district himself. This district is the most populated, 1,5 million inhabitants, and one of the largest in Bogota.
John F. Kennedy and his wife Jackie visted Bogota in Dicember 1961 within the framework of the Alliance for Progress, in which Kennedy founded the neighborhood for the poorest people in the city. The neighborhood was named then Ciudad Techo (Techo City) and 12.000 houses began to be build. In 1964 after Kennedy's assessination the residents of the neighborhood changed its name to Ciudad Kennedy (Kennedy City) and the Council of Bogota approved the name change in 1966.
President Kennedy inaugurates the housing project Ciudad Techo (John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum) |
Last November 22nd, 50th anniversary Kennedy's assassination, the residents of the district met up to pay homage to their founder and to recall why their district is named after a United States president.
This is the first house built in Ciudad Kennedy. It holds a tribute plaque. The oldman on the right reciedved the title from JFK in person. (www.colombiafrom.blogspot.com) |
Today Localidad de Kennedy has more than 100 neighborhoods which shelter about an eighth part of the total population of Bogota. One of those neighborhoods was named Casa Blanca (White House) and another Jackelin, after Kennedy's wife. The localidad, as all of them in Bogota, has a mayor's office and a sort of council. It is consider the fourth largest city in Colombia, even larger than many capital cities in the country.
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