On a brisk day, an inauguration speech was presented by John F. Kennedy "And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country." This speech set a clear expectation of his presidency, and a call to the citizens to be a part of the government. Many people believe that John Fitzgerald Kennedy was famous for being a young, handsome, and charismatic president however he also did many other heroic deeds before he was the 35th president.
In 1962 George Wallace was elected governor promoting his "ultra-segregation platform." This very person said in his inauguration address,"Segregation now! Segregation tomorrow! Segregation forever!" In 1963 he stopped two African American students from enrolling in the University of Alabama by sending state troops to block the enrollment office, that's were John F. Kennedy drew the line. He sent Federalized National Guard Troops to the University and overruled the state troops. Soon after the two students enrolled. This was a extreme stand to segregation. This was a very brave stand because many people still wanted segregation, and it was a very unpopular among them. This could have been one of the leading causes of Kennedy's death. John F. Kennedy set a presidency that believed in human rights, and equality. This also gave hope to African Americans, that one day they might free from segregation.
In a matter of a night the 96 mile Berlin Wall was set up to
separate East and West Berlin. Families were separated, and jobs were lost, and
wherever you were that night was where you stay the next 28 years. The German
Democratic Republic (east) set the Berlin wall up because West Berlin
apparently "threatened" their way of eastern way of life. Germany had set up a
"capitalist society" and
soon after experienced a boom in the economy on the west side. However the
Eastern side was communists (west side democracy), and it lacked an economy and basic freedoms. This wall made it so people could not flee from non-communists
countries. President Kennedy addressed this and was proud and praised the
Berliners for their pursuit of freedom. "Today in the world of freedom, the
proudest boast is "Ich bin ein Berliner (I am a Berliner)!" Kennedy
related this to the U.S. and their long struggle to gain freedom from
Britain. John was proud and said that he had, "known no town, no city that
has been besieged for 18 years, and still lives with the vitality and the force
and hope... as the city of West Berlin." He was trying to tell West Berlin
that the U.S. respected them, and the wall was "an offence to
humanity." Kennedy did this because he
wanted and felt like it was his duty to help fellow countries into freedom. It
also tethered the citizens to a new found hope that maybe they would be
free because a huge country was backing them up.
What is a hero may you ask? A hero is, "a person..., who is admired or idealized for courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities." For me, I think that a hero is somebody that has insane courage, bravery, leadership,who is not afraid to stand up for people, and has done something that no one has ever done. John Kennedy is a no better example of both definitions. He brought it upon himself to save 11 lives while risking his own, giving hope to citizens of Berlin that one day may be free from communism, by creating world peace program, and by standing up to segregation. For these great deeds I consider John Fitzgerald Kennedy, a hero, and my hero.
Page created on 1/6/2014 12:00:00 AM
Last edited 1/6/2014 12:00:00 AM
history.navy.mil. Naval History and Heritage Command. 18 June 2002.
jfklibrary.org. "John F. Kennedy Library and Museum." [Online] Available http://www.jfklibrary.org/.
about.com. "20th Century History." [Online] Available www.about.com.
Kennedy, John. ""Ich bin ein Berliner" Speech (June 26, 1963). "
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