JFK Inaugural Address
Despite extreme weather conditions the night before, on January 20th, 1961, John F.
Kennedy gave his inaugural speech in Georgetown, Washington D.C. after a very close presidential race. JFK addressed a celebration of freedom, how the world was had changed, the survival and success of liberty, countries need to join together and work through differences; the obligation to help those less fortunate, even if not American citizens; and doing away with the suppression of slavery. John F. Kennedy addressed his presidential election as a day to celebrate freedom because it stood for a beginning of change. He said that the world was very different, that the current generation were heirs of the first revolution (2). And to let the word go out to all manner …show more content…
of people, allies or foes, that authority and political power had been passed to a new generation of Americans; and that we the people should defend and commit to freedom. And that the United
States will pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, and oppose any foe in order to insure the survival of liberty (4).
He acknowledged those around the world that were struggling to break free of hardship and promised to help those in need; JFK said that if a free society cannot help the many that are poor, it cannot save the few that are rich (8). He spoke about the countries south of our border being committed with the United States in defeating poverty and staying united. And to the nations of the world that would work against us, that the focus should be peace despite differences; and not to embrace destruction, whether on purpose or on accident. But that the United States would not tempt with weakness and would be prepared. Instead, that all nations should focus on exploring the world, the oceans, and space; developing medicine to conquer disease and encourage the arts and commerce. John F. Kennedy said that to accomplish this would not happen in a short period of time, but that it would take generations of effort - that this effort would be in the hands of American citizens. He said not to ask what your country can do for you, but instead to ask what you,
the people, can do for your country (25). Furthermore, he challenged the people of the world to ask not what America can do for them, but what we can do for the freedom of man (26). JFK’s inaugural address was very well formulated to communicate with the American people, to uplift and touch the hearts of many individuals that needed hope. I receive the same message each time I read his speech – that he was committed to his faith, sought to ensure peace and prosperity across the world, and that the focus should be exploration and industry growth.
However, I feel that writing the summary on John F. Kennedy’s speech did allow for a more applicable understanding of his key points.
Kennedy gave his inaugural speech in Georgetown, Washington D.C. after a very close presidential race. JFK addressed a celebration of freedom, how the world was had changed, the survival and success of liberty, countries need to join together and work through differences; the obligation to help those less fortunate, even if not American citizens; and doing away with the suppression of slavery. John F. Kennedy addressed his presidential election as a day to celebrate freedom because it stood for a beginning of change. He said that the world was very different, that the current generation were heirs of the first revolution (2). And to let the word go out to all manner …show more content…
of people, allies or foes, that authority and political power had been passed to a new generation of Americans; and that we the people should defend and commit to freedom. And that the United
States will pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, and oppose any foe in order to insure the survival of liberty (4).
He acknowledged those around the world that were struggling to break free of hardship and promised to help those in need; JFK said that if a free society cannot help the many that are poor, it cannot save the few that are rich (8). He spoke about the countries south of our border being committed with the United States in defeating poverty and staying united. And to the nations of the world that would work against us, that the focus should be peace despite differences; and not to embrace destruction, whether on purpose or on accident. But that the United States would not tempt with weakness and would be prepared. Instead, that all nations should focus on exploring the world, the oceans, and space; developing medicine to conquer disease and encourage the arts and commerce. John F. Kennedy said that to accomplish this would not happen in a short period of time, but that it would take generations of effort - that this effort would be in the hands of American citizens. He said not to ask what your country can do for you, but instead to ask what you,
the people, can do for your country (25). Furthermore, he challenged the people of the world to ask not what America can do for them, but what we can do for the freedom of man (26). JFK’s inaugural address was very well formulated to communicate with the American people, to uplift and touch the hearts of many individuals that needed hope. I receive the same message each time I read his speech – that he was committed to his faith, sought to ensure peace and prosperity across the world, and that the focus should be exploration and industry growth.
However, I feel that writing the summary on John F. Kennedy’s speech did allow for a more applicable understanding of his key points.