He ended up opposing the Vietnam War, which of course his own kin had started. In 1973 it was Kennedy who sponsored the resolution that dried up spending for the war. He also played a key role in the anti-apartheid movement in the United States, sponsoring the Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act, which placed significant sanctions on the South African government. Reagan vetoed the act, but Kennedy doubled-down and rallied public sentiment to his side and for the first time in the 20th Century a Presidential veto on foreign policy legislation was overturned by the legislature.
Kennedy was one of the most outspoken critics of Augusto Pinochet's dictatorial regime in Chile in 1986, and even brought strong words to the Chilean government on their own turf in a risky and stirring speech in Santiago - though he was protected by diplomatic security personnel, his motorcade was egged. Ever since the Chilean people took their country back they have lauded Kennedy as one of the key players in Chilean liberation.
When Ireland was fighting for independence during the 90's, Kennedy had the gall to wear a green tie each time Margaret Thatcher was in his presence. The Kennedy family is of course Irish-Catholic in heritage, and although Kennedy was a fierce critic of the tactics of the IRA, he supported the cause of Irish independence.
But finally, nobody can forget his moment of courage in a time when many legislators quickly became lapdogs for the hawkish Bush administration. Unlike many national figures such as Senator Hillary Clinton and Senator John Edwards, Kennedy voted against the authorization to use force in Iraq. He was rightfully proud of his foresight, saying it was "the best vote I've cast in my 44 years in the United States Senate."
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