JFK Inaugural Address 2 of 2

	Duration: 06:36 minutes Upload Time: 06-10-29 17:35:15 User: PaddyIrishMan2 :::: Favorites :::: Top Videos of Day
Description: 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.
Comments
eddiewalker59 ::: Favorites I love this speech. I memorized it before I was 13. The important thing to listen to what he says; what he stood for. He understood the difference between communism and a free society. The worst event in U.S. history is President Kennedy's assassination. And I know it was done by a left wing "I wanna be famous at JFK's expense", nut case. However, what JFK stood for goes on ! We all miss him and are inspired by him forever. Eddie Walker 07-09-06 02:53:48 _____________________________________________________
PapaMagnum ::: Favorites It means that he was there to pick up electoral votes from different parts of the country. 07-08-31 04:24:02 _____________________________________________________
KillerGnomesOfDaWest ::: Favorites idk what that meaned but i think i disagree i THINK 07-08-30 22:37:25 _____________________________________________________
PapaMagnum ::: Favorites I heard that the only reason LBJ was there was because he had to balance the ticket. 07-08-30 04:50:06 _____________________________________________________
PapaMagnum ::: Favorites Presidential. That's the only way to describe this man. 07-08-30 04:47:42 _____________________________________________________
chubby02252007 ::: Favorites The virtue of this great man was one of the kind and that made him a great leader of our nation. 07-08-25 01:32:24 _____________________________________________________
schnuurtchke ::: Favorites He had the potential to be the greatest; too bad he didn't last. The address is about unity. Now all the politician talk about is us vs them. 07-08-17 08:51:27 _____________________________________________________
Filby ::: Favorites I dunno, I really like the Boston accent. 07-08-17 01:28:57 _____________________________________________________
KillerGnomesOfDaWest ::: Favorites JFK and me, i can compare strong relations, my friends are those who love and those who don't judge by thier color, religion, or nationality. my foes will do the opposite and include communism. the only bad thing about JFK, is his vice!!!! damn i hated LBJ, he was racial and caused the 6months of hell on the USA at the first 6 months of 1968 -january 68-3,000 died in Viet. War -April-MLK murder -june- JFK's brother assassination -Black men riots for equal rights all over!!! 07-08-15 13:22:42 _____________________________________________________
dQuarters ::: Favorites I wish JFK were Canadian. He'd still be alive, and most likely... in office. Greatest American president, and he didn't even have a chance to proove it. And k1's right. Removing Bush will do very little. But at least it will show the will of Americans. Pray there's a real choice in 2008. RIP JFK! 07-08-14 17:13:40 _____________________________________________________