John F. Kennedy Inaugural Speech on C-Span3, Thurs 11:13am et

[housewolf]

37 minutes

Address
Presidential Inaugural Address
U.S. Capitol
John F. Kennedy , United States

[pamela]

1. This is my favorite part...

"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." JFK 1/20/61

[American Tragedy]

2. That is one of my favorite speech excerpts ever

Someone played a taped montage of great moments and speeches from the twentieth century at our 2000 New Year's party, and it ended with that quote. I literally got chills when I heard it, even though my own generation came decades after those words were delivered. It's really powerful.

[pamela]

3. It doesn't get as much attention as...

"Ask not what your country can do for you..."

Every clip I see from Kennedy's Inauguration has that line from the speech but I like "The torch has been passed..." quote better. It gives me chills, too.