Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Ted Kennedy Dead at 77

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 26, 2009 1:01 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Sen. Ted Kennedy, patriarch of one of the most powerful political dynasties in American history and long-time liberal lion of the Democratic Party, died late last night at his Massachusetts home in Hyannis Port, reports the New York Times. “We’ve lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever," said a statement from his family. Kennedy, 77, had been battling brain cancer for more than a year.

It was a momentous year for Kennedy. He lived to see the inauguration of the nation's first black president and major steps toward health care reform, which he called "the cause of my life." In 46 years as a senator, he focused on health care, education, civil rights, and labor issues. He exerted a "long, steady glow" in his political influence, said one observer. "When you survey the impact of the Kennedys on American life and politics and policy, he will end up by far being the most significant.”


The Kennedy boys, John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Ted.
The Kennedy boys, John F. Kennedy, Robert Kennedy, and Ted.   (AP Photo, File)
Sen. Ted Kennedy essay on healthcare reform was featured in Newsweek last month.
Sen. Ted Kennedy essay on healthcare reform was featured in Newsweek last month.   (PRNewsFoto/NEWSWEEK)
Bill co-sponsors Sen. Orrin Hatch and Sen. Ted Kennedy listen as President Barack Obama speaks.
Bill co-sponsors Sen. Orrin Hatch and Sen. Ted Kennedy listen as President Barack Obama speaks.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Sen. Ted Kennedy arrives for the swearing-in ceremony of President Barack Obama.
Sen. Ted Kennedy arrives for the swearing-in ceremony of President Barack Obama.   (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, pool)
Sen. Ted Kennedy speaks at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque last year.
Sen. Ted Kennedy speaks at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque last year.   (AP Photo/Toby Jorrin)
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy takes a stroll with father Joseph Kennedy at New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, Dec. 8, 1964, where he's recuperating from a broken back he suffered in a plane crash.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy takes a stroll with father Joseph Kennedy at New England Baptist Hospital in Boston, Dec. 8, 1964, where he's recuperating from a broken back he suffered in a plane crash.   (AP Photo)
In a Sept. 27, 2004 file photo Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass, delivers his speech about the effect of the war in Iraq on America's security at George Washington University in Washington.
In a Sept. 27, 2004 file photo Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass, delivers his speech about the effect of the war in Iraq on America's security at George Washington University in Washington.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta/file)
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., with wife Victoria Reggie Kennedy in front of houses inside the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, Mass., in this Sept. 13, 1992 file photo.
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., with wife Victoria Reggie Kennedy in front of houses inside the Kennedy compound in Hyannis Port, Mass., in this Sept. 13, 1992 file photo.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
In a July 21, 1999 file photo Sen. Edward Kennedy stands with son Patrick Kennedy as they motor out to a US Navy recovery ship off the coast of Martha's Vineyard after Navy divers found the bodies of John F. Kennedy Jr, his wife, and sister-in-law amid the wreckage of...
In a July 21, 1999 file photo Sen. Edward Kennedy stands with son Patrick Kennedy as they motor out to a US Navy recovery ship off the coast of Martha's Vineyard after Navy divers found the bodies of...   (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
In this Feb. 4, 2008 file photo, presidential hopeful Barack Obama receives a hug from Sen. Ted Kennedy as Caroline Kennedy applauds during a rally at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, NJ.
In this Feb. 4, 2008 file photo, presidential hopeful Barack Obama receives a hug from Sen. Ted Kennedy as Caroline Kennedy applauds during a rally at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, NJ.   (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)
Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama stands with Sen. Ted Kennedy during a rally for Obama at American University on Monday, Jan. 28, 2008, in Washington.
Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama stands with Sen. Ted Kennedy during a rally for Obama at American University on Monday, Jan. 28, 2008, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama laughs with Sen. Ted Kennedy during a rally for Obama at American University on Monday, Jan. 28, 2008, in Washington.
Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama laughs with Sen. Ted Kennedy during a rally for Obama at American University on Monday, Jan. 28, 2008, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., center, speaks to the media outside Stormont Parliament Building in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Tuesday, May 8, 2007.
Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., center, speaks to the media outside Stormont Parliament Building in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Tuesday, May 8, 2007.   (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)
Sen. Ted Kennedy is flanked by Barack Obama supporters as he speaks at the Del Mar College Richardson Performance Hall Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008 in Corpus Christi, Texas.
Sen. Ted Kennedy is flanked by Barack Obama supporters as he speaks at the Del Mar College Richardson Performance Hall Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008 in Corpus Christi, Texas.   (AP Photo/The Caller-Times, Todd Yates)
Sen. Ted Kennedy speaks in a effort to court Hispanic voters, at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, NM, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, while campaigning for Barrack Obama.
Sen. Ted Kennedy speaks in a effort to court Hispanic voters, at the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, NM, Thursday, Jan. 31, 2008, while campaigning for Barrack Obama.   (AP Photo/Toby Jorrin)
Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy listens as President Barack Obama speaks at the White House Forum on Health Reform in the East Room of the White House earlier this year.
Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy listens as President Barack Obama speaks at the White House Forum on Health Reform in the East Room of the White House earlier this year.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 42 comments
NewserScooter
Aug 27, 2009 4:06 AM CDT
Neely, Laura didn't buy off a DA and the victims family.
bacimom
Aug 27, 2009 3:47 AM CDT
Jay, I think you need to listen to all the GOP Senators who loved Teddy as a person and were grateful for his co-sponsorships of their bills.
bacimom
Aug 27, 2009 3:43 AM CDT
and did it all without the government paycheck, only took a mandatory dollar per year

 
Ted Kennedy • obituary • Massachusetts • Democratic Party • political dynasty • JFK • women's issues • Kennedy • Hyannis Port

More Newser Stories

Ted Kennedy: A Life in Pictures

Obama Turns Up Heat in Mass. Senate Race

Throngs Turn Out to Bid Kennedy Farewell

Kennedy Leaves Cape Cod for the Last Time

Three Speeches That Define Ted Kennedy
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne