President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address, January 20th 1961.
Vice President Johnson, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chief Justice, President Eisenhower, Vice President Nixon, President Truman, reverend clergy, fellow citizens, we observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom — symbolising an end, as well as a beginning — signifying renewal, as well as change. For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago.
The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe — the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.
We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans — born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage — and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.
Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to ure the survival and the success of liberty.
This much we pledge and more.
To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do — for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.
To those new States whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom — and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.
To those peoples in the huts and villages across the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required — not because the Communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.
To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge — to convert our good words into good deeds — in a new alliance for progress — to ist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbours know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas. And let every other power know that this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.
To that world embly of sovereign states, the United Nations, our last best hope in an age where the instruments of war have far outpaced the instruments of peace, we renew our pledge of support — to prevent it from becoming merely a forum for invective — to strengthen its shield of the new and the weak — and to enlarge the area in which its writ may run.
Finally, to those nations who would make themselves our adversary, we offer not a pledge but a request: that both sides begin anew the quest for peace, before the dark powers of destruction unleashed by science engulf all humanity in planned or accidental self-destruction.
We dare not tempt them with weakness. For only when our arms are sufficient beyond doubt can we be certain beyond doubt that they will never be employed.
But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort from our present course — both sides overburdened by the cost of modern weapons, both rightly alarmed by the steady spread of the deadly atom, yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance of terror that stays the hand of mankind’s final war.
So let us begin anew — remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.
Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belabouring those problems which divide us.
Let both sides, for the first time, formulate serious and precise proposals for the inspection and control of arms — and bring the absolute power to destroy other nations under the absolute control of all nations.
Duration : 0:9:58
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Those things that …
Those things that you said in the beginning fit Barack Obama, and I think that’s why so many like him. I really hope that he can get U.S back on track and be a good president. I trust that he will.
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
His speech, …
His speech, idealism, charisma, and quite possibly his youth. Domestically he didn’t do as much as LBJ. Foreign policy, you can credit him with saving the world, but got us in trouble in the first place. JFK is one of my most favorite presidents because of his ideals, but personally, i think he is overrated, but not by a lot. hehehe
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
he is my hero <3
he is my hero <3
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
For all of you …
For all of you shouting JFK is the greatest president ever, would any of you kindly give reasons why. I never lived in this era, so I wouldn’t understand your feelings for him as well.
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
It would’ve been …
It would’ve been interesting what would his four to eight years as President would’ve been like if JFK wasn’t killed. We would’ve had a great golden age for the United States.
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
I do not think it …
I do not think it is fair to hate America and consider America a racist nation as a whole at this point in time because of the bigotry of a few individuals. Anybody who does is (sorry) an idiot and a fool- we JUST elected a black President for Christ’s sake! I do not have blind patriotism, but America is the greatest country in the world -why do you think so many different people come here? They know that in America, anybody that has the to work and a little luck can succeed
-like Obama.
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Excuse me, first of …
Excuse me, first of all I’m of Middle Eastern origin, and after (and before I might add) 9-11 I had to endure racism from some Americans. After 9-11 I was physically attacked because of my appearance, so don’t cry me the sad story of racism, because I’ve been there-my mom was placed in prison for years because she was a Bahai and lived in Iran. Second I am not a conservative (why would JFK be my favorite President if I was genius)? Thirdly, I do not hate America because of my experiences.
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Actually, …
Actually, Samprasisthebest she said ‘For the first time in my life, I’m really proud of my country’. Maybe you’ve always been proud of your country, but you’ve also never have been shot at with fire hoses or told you couldn’t drink from a certain water fountain or marry a certain person. You conservatives tend to forget that with your ‘blind patriotism’ or reluctance to change. She had every right to say what she said, because it was a sentiment echoed by ALL of us.
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Yup, I’m related to …
Yup, I’m related to that guy!!
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
I hope Obama keeps …
I hope Obama keeps the spirit of the Keneddy’s and MLK jr. alive, because it is this spirit of unity & optimistic hopefulness which has got him here thus far…MAY GOD BLESS USA and our new president !!!!
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Thank you, I have …
Thank you, I have to agree with you. I find it that the vast majority of viewers of FOX NEWS are actually simple minded individuals fail to comprehend the fact that we live in complex and forver changing world. They don’t recognize that there is more to life than “conservative” and “liberal”
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
a riveting speaker, …
a riveting speaker, kennedy was.
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
I don’t even know …
I don’t even know what your post had to do with anything I posted, so I’ll just feel sorry and embarrassed on your behalf.
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
lol people that are …
lol people that are paranoid from the media are people that dont have the brain capacity to think critically for themselves. I dont pay attention to what talking heads in a tube say, i form my own opinion unlike yourself, a paranoid person cussing at whatever he/she could to vent out some frustration
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
ignorant? you mean …
ignorant? you mean smart! and someone who sees the world for what it REALLY is and doesnt live life the way the media wants them too!! thanks for the compliment!! i really appreciate it!
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
you horrible …
you horrible redneck racist sonofabitch, people like you are a waste to the air we breath
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
ignorant? you mean …
ignorant? you mean smart! and someone who sees the world for what it REALLY is and doesnt live life the way the media wants them too!! thanks for the compliment!! i really appreciate it!
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
If you were awarded …
If you were awarded any version of a diploma, that is evidence enough to re-evaluate our entire education system. You are by far one of the most ignorant and moronic persons posting comments on this idiotic forum–known as YouTube.
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
The more you get …
The more you get pulled into the Fox News fantasy false-reality, the more ignorant you will become. Try to think beyond the simplistic paradigms that are offered to you vis-a-vis the mass news-media and you will be wiser eventually because of it.
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
tisk tisk red neck …
tisk tisk red neck
shouldn’t u be ing ur sister right now?
america is gonna change and u kind of people are going dissappear
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Let me guess… you …
)
Let me guess… you voted for Bush. Ha! I feel SO SORRY for you. May God Bless you and your sorry .
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
fuck obama!! i hope …
obama!! i hope that mut gets whacked and he probably will get whacked!! THATS AMERICAN!! taking that mulatto terrorist OUT and making his ing fake, wife crying the rest of her life!! cant wait!
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
let JFK(just for …
let JFK(just for killing) lie to the whole world.
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
I haven’t been …
I haven’t been proud of all the things America has done in the last 50 years, but right that I believe its the greatest country in the world and I am proud of it overall. We have our flaws, but people, STOP ACTING like we victimize everyone. EVERY nation has made the same mistakes we have. I support President-Elect Obama, but I was disenchanted with Michelle’s statement, and yes, for the record, I don’t think that Obama can be compared to JFK.
November 30th, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Have yo been proud …
Have yo been proud of America all your life? Has anyone?
Anyone who has been fully proud of America in the last 50 years must be insane.
We are far from perfect, but we are trying. Trying to form a “more perfect union.”
Obama has been passed the torch, now let us support him and wish him well. We are all Americans.