In a paragraph of 3–5 sentences, describe what John F. Kennedy believed was an important responsibility for all Americans. How were his policy goals different from those of his predecessors? Include specific examples or quotes from the speech.

Explanation: Perhaps John F. Kennedy's most famous quote was from his Inaugural Address in 1961 when he stated, "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." By his actions and his programs like the Peace Corps he brought about an outpouring of young people that wanted to make our country and the world better. He worked  to ensure equal rights and opportunities for all Americans, and encouraged  all Americans to help those less fortunate than themselves. As he said in 1963," If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's future. And we are all mortal." Kennedy inspired a generation of young people to get involved politically, socially and physically as he began the President's Council on Physical Fitness, played football on the White House lawn, and in general demonstrated the determination to set about change that his predecessors did not. Finally, in 1963 Kennedy said, "Never before has man had such capacity to control his own environment, to end thirst and hunger, to conquer poverty and disease, to banish illiteracy and massive human misery. We have the power to make this the best generation of mankind in the history of the world - or make it the last."  He did not live long enough to see his vision or his dream fulfilled.

   What about his predecessors, Eisenhower, Truman, and Roosevelt? Roosevelt's focus was on saving the economy and soon thereafter World War II, Truman's was ending the war, overseeing what Roosevelt had started, rebuilding the economy, and the Korean Crisis. Eisenhower was faced with the threat of Communism, a Cold War, and the beginnings of the Civil Rights movement that took up most of his presidency. In 1961, Kennedy wanted to move forward, to get away from the staid policies of the past and explore the whole world around us. It was Kennedy who said, " We go into space because whatever mankind must undertake, free men must fully share...I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth."  Although he never saw it, his vision was achieved on July 20, 1969 when Neil Armstrong walked on the moon.