Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country reflection

Background

The seventeen most inspiring words in 20th century American history were spoken by John F. Kennedy, around mid-day, on January 20, 1961, in Washington, D.C. The occasion was his presidential inauguration, and came as he was concluding his inaugural address. He had just declared that the torch had 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 pledged to “pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.” Soon after, he spoke the seventeen words:

  And so, my fellow Americans: Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.

  Those words were positively electrifying. No president had ever challenged citizens, in peacetime, to sacrifice or commit to a larger vision. With that single sentence, Kennedy inspired people to new possibilities. He raised their expectations of themselves, and of their nation. In response, some joined the Peace Corps, others the Green Berets; thousands flocked to Washington to be part of the “New Frontier.” Students, thinking ahead to government service, went to law school or into programs with social benefit. All across the country, Kennedy’s words changed lives. “It was a special time,” a Senator remembered years later. “Lord, I’ve never had such a feeling before or since then. It was marvelous; without living it, you can’t express it. It gave the country a lift; it gave the world a lift. People cried in the dusty streets of Africa when he died.” All, really, because of seventeen simple words of inspiration.

Autograph Quotation Signed, as president, being the “Ask not” quote from his inaugural address, 1 page, quarto, The White House, Washington, no date. Of the greatest rarity. From the estate of General Maxwell Taylor.

Used with the permission of Shapell legacy partnership.

Related

  • Cultural Diversity Project : Xavier Smith

    he works with my Uncle at a. I ask Xavier 20 questions about his culture and heritage background. The first question I ask was “what is your full name and does it have a special meaning to it?” He told me that his full name is Xavier Smith and that his name is spelt differently in Haiti language, it is spelt Xaviur instead of the American way Xavier. I ask him why does he not use the spelling of the name from Haiti and he said that it is because people usually do not pronounce his name correctly

    • 1382 Words
    • 6 Pages

  • What Is The Meaning Of John F Kennedy's Inaugural Address

    of the speech happens in the middle of it when he says,” ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for the country”. This means that the citizens of america need to do something more for the country that just sit there. It means make a difference in this country. Secondly, he had another good quote that went like this,” ask not what america can do for you, ask what you can do for the freedom of man”. This tells you to ask

    • 262 Words
    • 2 Pages

  • Rhetorical Devices In President John F. Kennedy's 1961 Inaugural Address

    In the legendary words of President John Fitzgerald Kennedy, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” Though the quote may appear simple, its rhetoric makes it one of the most memorable components of his speech’s message. Kennedy conveys that, in partnership with the audience, he will advance the American people and people abroad. President Kennedy’s 1961 Inaugural Address included several rhetorical devices are utilized to create effects within the audience

    • 935 Words
    • 4 Pages

  • Essay On Who Was John F Kennedy Added To Mount Rushmore

    Who Would You Choose? “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” John F. Kennedy said this during his inaugural speech encouraging all Americans to be active citizens and better their country (Life of John F. Kennedy).He believed in ending racial discrimination and creating peace within the world. John F. Kennedy should be added to Mount Rushmore because of all he did to expand the United States. John F. Kennedy was born in Brookline, Massachusetts on May

    • 499 Words
    • 2 Pages

  • Hunger, Homelessness, And Keeping The Environment Clean

    John F. Kennedy once said, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” There are many ways we can help make a difference in our country. So many people are starving and has no shelter from the weather and other ways of harm. According to Gunder, Dana from the National Resources Defense Council in 2012, “40% of food is thrown out in the US every year, or about $165 billion worth. All of this uneaten food could feed 25 million Americans.” While some people are

    • 1126 Words
    • 5 Pages

  • Why Is America Equally Important?

    In America, you hear that citizens have and are entitled to many “rights.” You have a right to remain silent. You have a right to free speech. You have the right to “keep and bear arms,” a right to have “equal protection under the law,” and a right to education. When these rights are infringed on, Americans get very defensive. But yet in today’s individualistic society, many forget that as citizens of “The Land of the Free,” you also have responsibilities. You are responsible for supporting and defending

    • 732 Words
    • 3 Pages

  • Importance Of Learning A Secondary Language

    language is necessary to get where you want to go in life. For most people that have jobs there is always going to be a customer or another co worker that speaks a different language than you. You should learn a different language for traveling purposes so if you want to go to a different country you will know the main language in that country. Learning a different language is good to know to make friends living in other places that know a different language than you. Knowing a secondary language is

    • 934 Words
    • 4 Pages

  • JFK inaugural Address

    Analysis on JFK’s Inaugural Address Majority of the people know the eminent line “ask not what your country can do for you- ask what you can do for your country” (Kennedy). That is indubitably one of the most well known segments of his speech, however, there are other parts that made it memorable. He knew he was not only speaking to America, but other countries as well. His speech keeps the audience both focused on what is important and understanding of the point he is trying to make. He sought to send

    • 853 Words
    • 4 Pages

  • Rhetorical Analysis Of John F Kennedy's Inaugural Address

    better future for their country. In his famous inaugural speech, Kennedy applies a great use of persuasive language. Moreover, he also adds several personifications, antitheses, ethos, as well as metaphors to strengthen his purpose. President Kennedy’s inaugural speech is very effective because he is assuring to the people of America that there will be peace throughout the world. At the beginning of his speech, Kennedy wants the audience to take a moment, and think about what is the significance

    • 802 Words
    • 4 Pages

  • John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Speech

    John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech “Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You” left a respected impact on the world as he used multiple rhetorical devices in order to provoke the audience’s feelings, convince of his character, and test their logic. One of the ways John F Kennedy successfully reached his audience was by provoking their feelings. He creates a patriotic feeling by calling out Americans “...born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient

    • 601 Words
    • 3 Pages

What does the quote Ask not what your country can do for you ask what you can do for your country?

During his inaugural speech on Jan. 20, 1961, U.S. President John F. Kennedy uttered the challenge, “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.” Its simple meaning was to challenge society to contribute to improve the public good.

What is the meaning of Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country by John F Kennedy?

Kennedy spoke his famous words, "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." This use of antimetabole can be seen even as a thesis statement of his speech—a call to action for the public to do what is right for the greater good.

What is the main message of Kennedy's inaugural address?

Assuming office in the midst of the Cold War, JFK understood that his inaugural address would have to instill confidence at home and respect abroad. He believed that democracy thrives only when citizens contribute their talents to the common good, and that it is up to leaders to inspire citizens to acts of sacrifice.

What was JFK's famous quote?

"Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate." "Inaugural Address (1)," January 20, 1961, Public Papers of the Presidents: John F. Kennedy, 1961.