The 1960s was a time in United States history unlike any other. It was a time before there was a Bush in the White House or sexual scandal in the Oval Office. A time before we sent a man to the moon. A time when Cuba and its missiles were more of a nuisance then an actual crisis. A time when Blacks still rode at the back of the bus and drank from separate fountains. It was in this time on January 20, 1961 that John Fitzgerald Kennedy was officially inaugurated as the President of the United States. At the time of his inauguration JFK delivered an incredible speech in which he detailed his objectives as presdent, and ultimately gained the support of the American people by doing so.
Janurary 20, 1961, President Kennedy stood in Washington, DC and addressed the American people. As he stood and looked over his new public, the president appealed for change. He stressed change in the areas of human rights, unity of Americans, and international relations. Kennedy wanted to abolish human poverty, and he felt this was a completely recognizable goal due to the new generation of Americans commited to human rights. President Kennedy also emphasized unity among Americans. He stated, "United there is little we cannot do Divided there is little we can do." When dealing with international affairs, Kennedy accentuated his "quest for peace." He wished for an alliance for progress with Central America that would oppose aggression or subversion in the Americas. He also supported the United Nations. The new president wanted to begin anew; according to him, civility did not equate to weakness. President Kennedy realized that all of his goals would not happen overnight, but the quest for success would begin while he was in office. Kennedy then stated that the success or failure of the United States was in the hands American citizens. He ended his speech with a single phrase that was not only motivational, but one that would eventually go down in history: "Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.