Secrets Of JFK Inauguration Speech Unveiled
Speech Considered Master Work By Historians
POSTED: 6:04 pm EST January 7, 2009
UPDATED: 6:41 pm EST January 7, 2009
Email
Print
BOSTON -- In two weeks, the next American president will give his inaugural address. While historians consider John F. Kennedy's speech a master work, few know how it was constructed.
JFK Speech Clues UnveiledNewsCenter 5's Pam Cross reported that the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum unveiled a few clues on Wednesday.At the time, he was the youngest man elected president and needed a worldwide image of strength. Some of his phrases, like, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" are known to all."But what is less known is the story of all the effort and work and thought and care that went into composing that speech," said museum curator Stacey Bredhoff.The Kennedy Library and Museum unveiled inaugural documents -- some never displayed, like the first draft of notes taken in shorthand by the president's personal secretary. Just three days before the ceremony, Kennedy was still scratching notes in his own hard-to-read handwriting."It wasn't the shortest in history, but it was among the shortest and all throughout the process, he took great care to make sure it would be brief," Bredhoff said.Kennedy managed to weave scripture and history into his speech, but will President-elect Barack Obama?"What we know is that President Kennedy certainly looked back on history as he composed his speech. He was an avid student of history; he borrowed from Lincoln a couple of times in his speech. And so you know, there's every reason to suspect President-elect Obama will also be looking back on history now," Bredhoff said.Even after all the revisions, Kennedy made 32 changes in his final speech on the fly.
JFK Speech Clues UnveiledNewsCenter 5's Pam Cross reported that the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum unveiled a few clues on Wednesday.At the time, he was the youngest man elected president and needed a worldwide image of strength. Some of his phrases, like, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country" are known to all."But what is less known is the story of all the effort and work and thought and care that went into composing that speech," said museum curator Stacey Bredhoff.The Kennedy Library and Museum unveiled inaugural documents -- some never displayed, like the first draft of notes taken in shorthand by the president's personal secretary. Just three days before the ceremony, Kennedy was still scratching notes in his own hard-to-read handwriting."It wasn't the shortest in history, but it was among the shortest and all throughout the process, he took great care to make sure it would be brief," Bredhoff said.Kennedy managed to weave scripture and history into his speech, but will President-elect Barack Obama?"What we know is that President Kennedy certainly looked back on history as he composed his speech. He was an avid student of history; he borrowed from Lincoln a couple of times in his speech. And so you know, there's every reason to suspect President-elect Obama will also be looking back on history now," Bredhoff said.Even after all the revisions, Kennedy made 32 changes in his final speech on the fly. Copyright 2009 by TheBostonChannel.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
