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Read John F. Kennedy in his own words, and access documents important to his era, in this collection of writings, speeches and letters.
Contents: Speeches | Cuban Missile Crisis | Letters | Miscellaneous
Speeches
- Truth about Indochina, by Senator John Kennedy, 1954
Senator Kennedy calls upon President Eisenhower "to face the stark reality" that America will not be able to stop Communism in Indochina.
- Address of Senator John F. Kennedy to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association, 1960
Presidential candidate Kennedy dismisses concerns about his Roman Catholicism and pledges himself to the basic ideal of church-state separation.
- Acceptance of the New York Liberal Party Nomination, 1960
JFK explains what kind of liberal he is, and presents his vision as a candidate.
- Inaugural Address, 1961
Kennedy announces that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans, and memorably concludes, "ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." (with RealAudio clip)
- Conspiracy Theories Speech, 1961
The president warns Americans against "crusades of suspicion."
- Nation's Space Effort, 1962
The president explains why mankind must go to the moon.
- Civil Rights Announcement, 1963
Following the forced desegregation of the University of Alabama, Kennedy calls for nationwide participation in addressing the "moral crisis" and guaranteeing that America is a "land of the free" for all citizens.
- Desegregation in the Schools of Alabama, 1963
Kennedy asks Alabama governor George Wallace to respect the law and desegregate the state's schools.
- American University Speech, June 10, 1963
Kennedy describes his vision for world peace in an age of nuclear threats.
- Berlin Speech, June 28, 1963
Kennedy points to the Berlin Wall as proof of the failure of Communism, uniting all free people with the phrase "Ich bin ein Berliner."
- Trade Mart Speech (Kennedy's Last Speech), 1963
This Kennedy speech was never delivered.
Cuban Missile Crisis
- Letter from President Kennedy to Nikita Khrushchev, October 22, 1962
JFK points out that the U.S. is pursuing a "minimum response" but will do whatever is necessary to assure its security.
- Report on the Arms Buildup in Cuba, October 22, 1962
In a nationally televised address, JFK outlines Cuba's threat to the peace and security of the Americas.
- Letter from Nikita Khrushchev to John Kennedy, October 23, 1962
The Soviet prime minister accuses Kennedy of creating a "serious threat to peace."
- Letter from President Kennedy to Nikita Khrushchev, October 23, 1962
JFK blames the Soviets for beginning the crisis and announces a naval quarantine of Cuba.
- Letter from Nikita Khrushchev to John Kennedy, October 24, 1962
The outraged Soviet leader rejects the American "ultimatum" and asserts that Soviet vessels will not honor the quarantine.
- Letter from Fidel Castro to Nikita Khrushchev, October 26, 1962
Castro urges the Soviets to consider attacking the Americans if the U.S. invades Cuba.
- Letter from Nikita Khrushchev to Fidel Castro, October 28, 1962
Khrushchev counsels Castro to stand firm and not respond to provocative American overflights of Cuban airspace.
- Letter from Fidel Castro to Nikita Khrushchev, October 28,1962
The Cuban dictator explains to the Soviet prime minister why defending Cuban airspace is necessary.
- Nikita Khrushchev's Message to John Kennedy, October 28, 1962
Khruschev announces the dismantling of Soviet missile bases in Cuba.
- Letter from Nikita Khrushchev to Fidel Castro, October 30, 1962
The Soviet leader analyzes the outcome of the crisis and justifies his actions to Castro.
- Statement Announcing the End of the Cuban Naval Quarantine, November 20, 1962
Kennedy lifts the quarantine after the Soviets agree to remove their bombers.
Letters
Miscellaneous
- John Kennedy's Political Credo
JFK defines his attitude of liberalism.
- Religious Freedom in the Constitution
Article 6 of the Constitution and the First Amendment guarantee religious freedom for all Americans, including the first Catholic president.
- National Action Security Memorandum, 1961
Kennedy's national security advisor, McGeorge Bundy, conveys the president's Vietnam policy to the State Department.
- I Have A Dream, 1963
Martin Luther King Jr.'s impassioned civil rights speech, delivered during the March on Washington and widely regarded as one of the greatest American speeches ever made.
- The Negro as an American
The head of President Kennedy's Housing and Home Finance Agency -- and the first black Cabinet member -- describes the responsibilities of black leadership.
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