The airport originally known as Idlewild Airport was renamed John F. Kennedy International Airport on December 24, 1963, as a tribute to the 35th President of the United States just one month after his assassination in Dallas. The decision to rename the airport was made by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as part of a national wave of memorials honoring the fallen president. Idlewild was the city's premier international gateway and a symbol of modern progress, which matched the "New Frontier" vision that Kennedy had championed during his presidency. The name change was not just about the man, but also about branding New York as a global leader in the jet age; by naming its most important airport after a president who had inspired a generation with his focus on space exploration and international diplomacy, the city signaled its own forward-looking aspirations. In 2026, the code "JFK" is one of the most recognizable in the world, and the airport continues to maintain a connection to the Kennedy legacy through various historical markers and a dedicated wing in Terminal 4 that honors the history of the name and the president's impact on American aviation.