“And So My Fellow Americans, Ask Not What Your Country

â€Å"And so my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your county† (MacSiccar, 1995, p. 46). People don’t realize that phrase was borrowed by JFK from one of America’s least memorable presidents, Warren G. Harding. The reason that quote is now remembered in today s time is because of John F. Kennedy, one of the most iconic presidents ever, in his presidency and his life, achieved many accomplishments. Early Life Throughout high school history classes, we have discussed many of the past presidents who have had major impacts on America and how they have shaped this country today: John F. Kennedy represents one of those influential presidents. Before his presidency, John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s legacy†¦show more content†¦Unfortunately, during the spring term he had to have an emergency surgery done and it was called an appendectomy and it caused him to not be able to finish the school year. In the fall, he was sent to the same college preparatory school as his older brother, Joe, Jr., had went to two years earlier: the Choate School in Wallingford, Connecticut. When JFK got there, his brother was already one of outstanding athletes and scholars in the school but JFK could never be either. His grades were low and he was too small to even make the varsity football team, then he was also troubled with a bunch of sickness, and to top it off, he was a little rebellious. He g raduated in 1935 and was only ranked 64th out of 112 students. One year, while playing football, he ruptured his lower lumbar disc, this stopped him from playing football ever again and caused him lots of pain for the rest of his life. During JFK’s senior year at Harvard, he wrote a paper that all of his mentors liked and he graduated cum laude in 1940. Then a publisher that his dad knew published JFK’s thesis and it sold 80,000 copies. This was the first time he came out from his older brother s shadow at the age of 23. The Navy In October 1940, JFK’s name was one of the first names drawn in the new national draft lottery, this didn’t bother John because he and his dad were strong believers in American military preparedness. JFKShow MoreRelatedPresident John F. Kennedy968 Words   |  4 Pageschange in the world. Kennedy not only called upon Americans, but also others from different nations asking for their support in joining in peace for mankind’s success. Kennedy encouraged citizens to defend their freedom and presented his ideals for presidency for a time of change. In his speech, Kennedy gives the citizens of the United States a sense of safety which reassured them of the strengths of the nation and persuaded them to help serve their country. In his inaugural address, John F. KennedyRead MoreJohn F. Kennedys Inaugural Address1049 Words   |  5 Pageson January 20th, 1961, marking one of the most historic speeches in time. In John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address speech, that is being evaluated today, the author uses social cohesion as a call for the nation to give back to the country, as we should do of course, and to ask, and expect less from the government, but that we should all have equal rights. Social Cohesion is described as the words, values, goals, speeches, and ceremonies that glue a group or society together and serve to maintain socialRead MoreComparison Of John F Kennedy Inaugural Address999 Words   |  4 Pages The Inauguration of President John F. Kennedy and the Farewell Address to the Nation by President Ronald Reagan share similar tones when addressing the American people. As one President enters the white house and the other leaves, both men share their admiration, strength, and compassion th at the American people share when working together. 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His short but powerful speech gives comfort to an American public fearful of war. John Fitzgerald Kennedy was born May 29, 1917, into a new wealthy Catholic family (Mehltretter). He lived a privileged lifestyle and was known forRead MoreMy Education Is The Most Important Part A Human Being992 Words   |  4 PagesMy Education I like a quote from a speech of John F. Kennedy and it says, â€Å" My fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.† I can change that to, â€Å"My fellow Students, ask not what your education can do for you, ask what can you do for your education.† How can I define education? My definition of my schooling can be described as â€Å"harsh† and â€Å"mediocre†. I think learning is the most important part a human being can have. Someone without an educationRead MoreJohn F. Kennedy Inaugural Address1099 Words   |  5 PagesNovember of 1960, his inauguration speech goes to explain the various changes of the world as Kennedy campaigned to â€Å"get the country moving again.† His speech begins to address the differences of the generations as he wants to â€Å"pass the torch.† Kennedy expresses various ways of getting people together which he bases his entire point into doing as he then establ ishes a plea for his fellow nations to move towards this look for peace subliminally calling out the Soviet Union who at this time was an adversaryRead MoreJfk Speech vs. Mlk Speech1352 Words   |  6 Pagesgenerosity of the state but from the hand of God. We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. 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 weRead MoreThe World Is Not A Victory Of Freedom1322 Words   |  6 Pagesgenerosity of the state but from the hand of God. We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. 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