JFK Inaugural Address 2 of 2

President John F. Kennedy's inaugural address, January 20th 1961.

Let both sides seek to invoke the wonders of science instead of its terrors. Together let us explore the stars, conquer the deserts, eradicate disease, tap the ocean depths, and encourage the arts and commerce.
Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah — to "undo the heavy burdens ... and to let the oppressed go free."
And if a beachhead of cooperation may push back the jungle of suspicion, let both sides join in creating a new endeavour, not a new balance of power, but a new world of law, where the strong are just and the weak secure and the peace preserved.
All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.
In your hands, my fellow citizens, more than mine, will rest the final success or failure of our cause. Since this country was founded, each generation of Americans has been summoned to give testimony to its national loyalty. The graves of young Americans who answered the call to service surround the globe.
Now the trumpet summons us again — not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are — but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, "rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation" — a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.
Can we forge against these enemies a grand and global alliance, North and South, East and West, that can assure a more fruitful life for all mankind? Will you join in that historic effort?
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility — I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavour will light our country and all who serve it — and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.

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  People & Blogs

[ForSanity]

back when America was respected all over the world...

[Skyhawk7040]

Imagine what kind of world we would live in if we had more politicians like JFK.

[Thomas Zaleski]

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.

The Youth of today DEMAND what MORE can the GOVERNMENT GIVE to me for FREE. And send ME the bill. Socialism has CRUSHED the youth's desire to succeed on their OWN.

[Thomas Zaleski]

Wal-Mart is ALWAYS hiring. So are many other companies.

[Thomas Zaleski]

NO. FEARED by all..........WWII was still SEARED into the minds of our enemies.

[Tess Gordon]

beautiful John F. Kennedy was a great man and great husband to Jackie. and his two children Caroline and John-John. Jackie was a great first lady she was succeeded to Claudia Alta which is really Lady Bird Johnson

[John F. Kennedy]

Ask? Is? Or what?

[mildLaughter]

"Where the STRONG are Just, and weak Secure".

[Kevin Coffey]

This speech and MLK's famous speech two years later are always ranked among the greatest ever speeches. Listen to them back-to-back and they clash in interesting ways. Let freedom ring.

[smashfascismnow]

gotta love them New Deal Democrats

[Azamjon Musashaykhov]

Freedom for mankind.

[kenny mccormick]

besides the socialist countries