John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech was as stirring and memorable as any given in the 20th Century. Not since FDR had a president inspired the country with ideas and programs to meet the challenges facing us as a nation.
As a 10-year-old just getting interested in government and politics, Kennedy’s inaugural was a call to action by all Americans to face our problems on all fronts. At the time, it was the perfect balance of strength and sacrifice for a nation emerging into a new and much more dangerous era.
Listening to his speech on that frigid day, I could not help but think that this young and vigorous leader would take the United States to a level of leadership unmatched by any other country in history. It was heady yet pragmatic, offering us opportunity while setting a price to be paid to meet the coming problems of the 1960s.
This speech is still remembered today by many of us as an inspiration for a country on the brink of greatness. Events that have happened since may have tarnished some of the ideas in this speech, but much of the luster still remains.
