John f kennedy served in office from january 1961 to november 1963. Kennedy as the 35th president of the united states was held on friday, january 20, 1961 at the east portico of the united states capitol in washington, d. For i have sworn before you and almighty god the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago. The finelycrafted final speech had been revised and reworked numerous times by kennedy and sorensen until the presidentelect was satisfied. What the best inaugural addresses have in common duration. Kennedy s inaugural address is listed as one of the most famous of american speeches. Kennedy delivers one of the most memorable lines of any inaugural address. They then analyze the suggestions made by galbraith and stevenson and compare them to the delivered version of the speech. Download pdf john f kennedy s inaugural address free.
The audio from john fitzgerald kennedys 1961 inaugural address. John filo ap photo,file john filo appearances can deceive. This is not an example of the work written by professional essay writers. Kennedys rhetoric upheld a polarized worldview of the soviet union and united states. Jfks inaugural address invokes the use of many rhetorical devices. He was the youngest person ever elected to that office. The following is a transcript of jeremy thompsons january 20, 2014 reading of john f. Kennedy s inaugural address was direct, simple, and unifying. It was formal occasion of oathtaking and traditionally newly elected president had to make a speech to highlight the broader objectives and agenda of his administration in future. Download this lesson plan, including handouts, as a pdf overview. Kennedys inaugural address on january 20, 1961 a clerk of the u. Sorensens assertion that kennedy is the sole author was based on sorensens feeling that the ideas and values of the speech all reflect kennedys thinking, as. Kennedy was sworn in as the thirtyfifth president of the united states.
The audio from john fitzgerald kennedy s 1961 inaugural address. In the category of the great speechby which i mean those anthologyready historymaking texts whose quotations become littered throughout our common speech until knowledge of their origins passes to the historically mindedinaugural addresses are strange birds. In a relatively brief address that he spent two months crafting, kennedy at 43, the youngest president elected to the office and the first roman catholic stressed the importance of. K ennedy presidential inaugural address delivered 20 january 1961 authenticity certified. Supreme court held the large fitzgerald family bible as john f. His short, fourteenminute inaugural address is best remembered for a single line. On january 20, 1961, john fitzgerald kennedy delivered one of americas few standout inaugural addresses and one of the finest speeches in american history. In a relatively brief address that he spent two months crafting, kennedy at 43, the youngest president elected to the office and the first roman catholic stressed the importance of national service. Analyzing the rhetoric of jfks inaugural address topic.
John fitzgerald kennedy, inaugural address 20 january 1961 1 vice president johnson, mr. Kennedy s inaugural address and his moon speech, which was prepared for a class, introduction to rhetorical analysis, which i took last semester at old. Kennedy presidential library and museum poetry and power. The text of the speech is provided with guiding questions. Kennedys inaugural address john fitzgerald kennedy 1961 introduction plot summary themes historical overview critical overview sources introduction. Kennedy, inaugural address, speech text voices of democracy. During his tenure, he had accomplished many things including the making of the peace corps. Kennedy s inaugural address 1961 vice president johnson, mr. Kennedy at dallas november 22 1963 j the unspoken speech. From what i can see now, i think the point of this speech is to tell or explain to citizens the work that he will do and to explain his intentions to the people of the u. Chief justice, president eisenhower, vice president nixon, president truman, reverend clergy, fellow citizens.
At that time, kennedy was the young est man ever elected president and was a new, largely untested and, for many americans, untrusted leader. This collection features the voices of 20 chief executives, from washington s 1789 oration to obama s 2009 speech. Text version below transcribed directly from audio vice president johnson, mr. Kennedys inaugural speech against whedon s the avengers. A rhetorical analysis of the inaugural address of john f. Integrate ideas and information from different sources. Kennedy inaugural address friday, january 20, 1961 heavy snow fell the night before the inauguration, but thoughts about cancelling the plans were overruled. Though not the shortest of inaugural addresses, kennedys was shorter than most at 1,355 words in length and, like lincolns famous speech, was comprised of short phrases and words. We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration. Current paper is to discuss the key reasons for the speech to be such a memorable both from the viewpoint of politics and as a masterpiece of public literature. Kennedy spoke his famous words, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.
Drawing upon the extant manuscripts, correspondence, oral transcripts, interviews, and key background works of the period, the author examines kennedys political and life experiences, the speech composition process, and the. Openended questions further assess students understanding. This was the 44th inauguration and marked the commencement of john f. Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th president of the united states on january 20, 1961. Students will read the text and answer questions on the metaphors used in it. Kennedys inaugural address ceremonial speeches are given to mark ceremonial events and help a society move beyond their differences. It painted an optimistic picture of improved relations between the cold war superpowers. My fellow americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country. Kennedy greater houston ministerial association speech. Kennedy was inaugurated as the 35th president of the united states on the steps of the capitol in washington, d.
Kennedys inaugural address 1961 vice president johnson, mr. Kennedys inauguration, 50 years ago this week, through a warm haze of nostalgia and regret. Immediately before the address the oath of office was administered by chief justice warren. A reference for students of political science and an inspiration for readers of every political persuasion. Kennedy s inaugural address john fitzgerald kennedy 1961 introduction plot summary themes historical overview critical overview sources introduction. Address to the greater houston ministerial association. This product provides the background with a comparison between eisenhower and kennedy. We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedomsymbolizing an end as well as a beginningsignifying.
Kennedy gave an inaugural address that became one of the most famous speeches in american history. He wanted his address to be short and cleardevoid of any partisan rhetoric and focused on foreign policy. Kennedys inaugural address as the 35th president of united states on friday, january 20, 1961. Kennedy gave a ceremonial speech, his inaugural address, on january 20th, 1961, marking one of the most historic speeches in time. Kennedys inaugural speech was given on january 20th, 1961. Abstract this article is an examination of the background contexts that influenced the development of john f. Occasion the immediate event prompting this speech was kennedys first inauguration as. Aug 25, 2019 president john f kennedy s inaugural address 1961. In his inaugural address, kennedy pledges to support liberty, commit to allies, avoid tyranny, aid the underprivileged throughout the world, and strengthen the americas.
It was clear that his main goal was to unify the entire human race and to make the world a better place for everyone. This collection features the voices of 20 chief executives, from washingtons 1789 oration to obamas 2009 speech. 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, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty. Kennedy in his presidential inaugural address, delivers a hopeful, inspiring speech about the actions he will take and the actions he expects citizens to take to. President kennedys inaugural speech addressed not only the american people, but also people throughout the worldincluding newly independent nations, old allies. Kennedy is being sworn into the position of the president. Loaded with literary devices, emotional appeal, and references to the cold war, it is a phenomenal speech for a close read activity. Prepared by the department of education and public programs, john f. Kennedys speech in 1961 was one of the shortest but most powerful addresses made by a president. Kennedys inaugural address 1961 the inaugural ceremony is a defining moment in a presidents career, and no one knew this better than john f. Kennedy presidential library and museum analyzing the inaugural address topic.
Kennedys inaugural address, 1961 on january 20, 1961, john f. Kennedy s inaugural address is one of the most famous speeches of american history. Kennedy s inaugural address on friday, january 20, 1961. This study guide consists of approximately 22 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of john f. Kennedy, former president of the united states his term was from 1961 1963. This use of chiasmus can be seen even as a thesis statement of his speech a call to action for the public to do what is right for the greater good. Kennedy john fitzgerald kennedy was inaugurated on january 21, 1961 as the 35th president of the united states. Kennedys inaugural address plot summary course hero. Kennedy, a scholar of history, begins his speech by addressing several of the dignitaries in. He spoke to not only the citizens of the united states, but to the entire world. This is the speech with the famous quote and so, my fellow americans. On january 20, 1961, john fitzgerald kennedy delivered one of america s few standout inaugural addresses and one of the finest speeches in american history.
John f kennedy or better known as jfk by his initials was the 35th president of the united states. Kennedy used 33 different types of rhetorical devices in his inaugural speech. Inaugural addresses of the presidents of the united states. Drawing upon the extant manuscripts, correspondence, oral transcripts, interviews, and key background works of the period, the author examines kennedys political and life experiences, the speech composition process, and the political. Kennedy defeated richard nixon by a narrow margin and became americas youngest elected president. Kennedys inaugural address is one of the most famous speeches of american history. Download pdf john f kennedy s inaugural address free online.
Kennedys inaugural address is frequently praised as one of the greatest speeches in american public address, but the speech also set the tone for kennedys foreign policy plan. Kennedy delivered at his inauguration on january 20, 1961 vice president johnson, mr. Kennedy inaugural address speech literary text analysis. Jfk inaugural address central dauphin school district. The election of 1960 had been close, and the democratic senator from massachusetts was eager to gather support for. Quotes from the speech are still remembered by people todayit is one of the finest speeches ever written. Kennedy took the oath of office to become the nations 35th president. Although kennedys main speechwriter, ted sorensen 19282010, credits authorship of the inaugural address to kennedy alone, the speech is the result of many minds working together. Jul 23, 2018 this essay has been submitted by a student. Kennedys inaugural address, as part of amalia picas now, speak. Kennedy delivered one of the most memorable speeches on january 20, 1961, after being sworn into officehis inauguration speech was so powerful that it captured the entire nations attention.
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