Week Seven: John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address
“We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom—symbolizing an end as well as a beginning—signifying renewal as well as change.”
On January 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th President of the United States and delivered what remains the most famous and frequently quoted Presidential Inaugural Address. His speech was bold, unquestionably internationalist, and a forcefully delivered call to Americans to unite toward a common purpose. “Divided there is little we can do—for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder, ” is that what Americans need to hear on January 20—a clarion call to come together to face and defeat major threat facing us today? The link below takes you to a video of President Kennedy taking the Oath of Office and delivering his speech. The video is hosted by the Miller Center on the Presidency at the University of Virginia and runs just under 16 minutes.
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