John F. Kennedy

JFK's Inaugural Address

President Kennedy was inaugurated on a
snowy January day in 1961.

The weather was freezing cold in Washington, D.C., but unlike previous presidents President Kennedy did not wear a top hat. Appropriate for the frosty winter weather, Robert Frost read his poetry.

In his famous inaugural address, President Kennedy appealed to the younger generation.

The U.S. would resist to communist aggression. “We would pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

Young people should volunteer for public service. “Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.”

During the 1960’s, young people did make sacrifices for their country. How so?

On a sheet of notebook paper - or in your Warmup Journal, write the answer to the question above.

Show answer.

United States
1961