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| John Kennedy's Inauguration |
“Let both sides,” said President John F. Kennedy in his inaugural address, “explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.” In this magnificent speech, Kennedy asked for unity. He called the nation to its values: liberty, compassion, and service.
Commentators dwelled on the magnificent phrasing, but let us not neglect what truly inspired – Kennedy’s theme. Kennedy praised concord, not division. He promulgated a vision, and it was the only kind of vision that could possibly make a nation great. That is, Kennedy began his presidency by calling the nation and the world together. His message still resonates in the cynical days of the 21st Century.
So, today, I focus not on speaking techniques, although Kennedy’s technique was admirable, but on theme. Every beginning speech student learns to establish a thesis or central idea. Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s theme was that “we have nothing to fear but fear itself.” Donald Trump’s 2017 theme was “American carnage.”
Donald Trump's 2017 Inaugural Address, Part 1: Parallel Phrases
Donald Trump's 2017 Inaugural Address, Part 2, "American Carnage"
P.S. I attended Kennedy’s inauguration as a nine-year-old child. My family skipped the speech itself: my father cared more about the parade. That parade featured wonderful marching bands and a replica of PT 109. My mother pitied the superbly-drilled majorettes who marched bravely through the bitter cold, dressed only in tights and short dresses. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline rode past in the famous presidential limousine. My family got separated amongst the crowd, but we reunited at the Willard Hotel’s elegant coffee shop and made our way safely home.
P.P.S. Kennedy’s inaugural address was drafted by speechwriter Theodore Sorensen. The speech expresses much wisdom, and I hope that everyone will take time either to listen to it or to read the entire text. Its message is as true today as it was 64 years ago. The website AmericanRhetoric.com lists this speech as the second-best United States speech of modern times, ranking only below Martin Luther King’s magnificent “I Have a Dream.” Kennedy spoke outdoors on the United States Capitol porch, enduring the horrible winter storm dressed only in his suit, with no hat or overcoat. Brrr!
So, today, I focus not on speaking techniques, although Kennedy’s technique was admirable, but on theme. Every beginning speech student learns to establish a thesis or central idea. Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s theme was that “we have nothing to fear but fear itself.” Donald Trump’s 2017 theme was “American carnage.”
Kennedy’s 1961 theme was selfless service. Of his many sonorous phrases, it is his magnificent call to American service that rings across the decades:
My mother’s favorite statement from the speech came next:
Do these values still resonate in 2025? Donald Trump will give his second inaugural address tomorrow, January 20, 2025. As you listen to the speech, and I hope that all my readers will, set aside, for a moment, their thoughts about Trump’s specific arguments or policies, and look instead at his values. What theme does he state? Does he ask to bring the nation and the world together, or to tear us apart? Does he call for conscience, or for rage? Listen without prejudgment, but listen, above all else, for his theme.
Each president’s inaugural address establishes the speaker’s values and hopes. Yes, unexpected challenges can arise. After all, no one expected George W. Bush’s presidency (which started on economic themes) to be devoted to terrorism. The COVID epidemic disrupted Trump’s first presidency. Values, however, still reign supreme. So, what are those values? Do we all share those values? Does the president call us to common values? And what do the president’s values say about us, the nation who put him in power?
“Here on earth, God’s work must truly be our own.” God bless the United States of America.
“And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.”So powerful! Kennedy did not promise that the nation would reward our selfish desires. Instead, he asked us to work together.
My mother’s favorite statement from the speech came next:
“My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”And, in my view, Kennedy’s most powerful message – a message that should ring true today – a theme that we need to hear today more than ever – called for strength, sacrifice, and conscience:
“Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own.”With such words, Kennedy articulated values that have all but vanished from American political discourse. He promised no easy ride. He did not pledge to free us from risk. Instead, he asked all Americans – all citizens of the world – to work together in common cause for justice and peace. He asked us to serve one another.
Do these values still resonate in 2025? Donald Trump will give his second inaugural address tomorrow, January 20, 2025. As you listen to the speech, and I hope that all my readers will, set aside, for a moment, their thoughts about Trump’s specific arguments or policies, and look instead at his values. What theme does he state? Does he ask to bring the nation and the world together, or to tear us apart? Does he call for conscience, or for rage? Listen without prejudgment, but listen, above all else, for his theme.
Each president’s inaugural address establishes the speaker’s values and hopes. Yes, unexpected challenges can arise. After all, no one expected George W. Bush’s presidency (which started on economic themes) to be devoted to terrorism. The COVID epidemic disrupted Trump’s first presidency. Values, however, still reign supreme. So, what are those values? Do we all share those values? Does the president call us to common values? And what do the president’s values say about us, the nation who put him in power?
“Here on earth, God’s work must truly be our own.” God bless the United States of America.
by William D. Harpine
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P.S. I attended Kennedy’s inauguration as a nine-year-old child. My family skipped the speech itself: my father cared more about the parade. That parade featured wonderful marching bands and a replica of PT 109. My mother pitied the superbly-drilled majorettes who marched bravely through the bitter cold, dressed only in tights and short dresses. Kennedy and his wife Jacqueline rode past in the famous presidential limousine. My family got separated amongst the crowd, but we reunited at the Willard Hotel’s elegant coffee shop and made our way safely home.
P.P.S. Kennedy’s inaugural address was drafted by speechwriter Theodore Sorensen. The speech expresses much wisdom, and I hope that everyone will take time either to listen to it or to read the entire text. Its message is as true today as it was 64 years ago. The website AmericanRhetoric.com lists this speech as the second-best United States speech of modern times, ranking only below Martin Luther King’s magnificent “I Have a Dream.” Kennedy spoke outdoors on the United States Capitol porch, enduring the horrible winter storm dressed only in his suit, with no hat or overcoat. Brrr!
Copyright © 2025 by William D. Harpine
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