Senator Edward M. Kennedy died today, Wednesday, August 26^th, at the age of 77. Kennedy was the third-longest serving senator and despite being diagnosed with brain cancer last year he continued to work on promoting healthcare reform until right before his death.

Kennedy came from the American political family that produced John F. Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, both assassinated in the 1960s. As the younger brother of such charismatic politicians, it was taken for granted that he would go into politics, though not everyone thought he was qualified. Kennedy replaced JFK as a Massachusetts senator in 1962 and proved to everyone that he was.

Ted Kennedy became a lasting political figure in America and a powerful spokesman for liberal ideals in the Democratic Party, which has become more centrist in recent years. But he wasn't a polarizing figure. Republicans also said they enjoyed working with him.