On January 20, 1961,
John F. Kennedy was inaugurated as the youngest elected
president in United States history. He took the oath of
office at a time when the Cold War dominated foreign
policy. He appealed to Americans with a sense of
idealism and with a
John F.
Kennedy
mission
of preserving peace and liberty, suggesting they, “[A]sk
not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do
for your country.” Complete text of John F. Kennedy's
inaugural address Clip from
Kennedy's inaugural address: “Ask not what your country
can do for you—ask what you can do for your
country.” (7 min 33 sec) Entire
inaugural address (15 min 28 sec) Biographer
Robert Dallek discusses John
F. Kennedy’s inaugural address (2 min 21
sec)
Discussion
Questions
Historical
Significance:
Consider the social and
political atmosphere in America in 1961. As a primary
source document, how does John F. Kennedy’s address help
us understand this period of history?
Fun Fact: John F. Kennedy’s
inauguration marked the first time
the inaugural parade was televised in color
(on NBC).
Language: According
to Kennedy biographer Robert Dallek
(watch Dallek video
clip), President Kennedy wanted his inaugural address to
reinvigorate a country in despair just as President
Franklin D. Roosevelt had aimed to do in his 1933
address. Read/watch both men’s addresses. What
similarities can you draw? How did the nation of 1933
compare with that of 1961? Audience:
Why did
President Kennedy address the citizens of the world in
his inaugural address?
