John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address

John F. Kennedy's inaugural address advocates a foreign policy dedicated to promoting freedom and democracy worldwide and is considered one of the top four US presidential inaugural speeches of all time. He stresses the importance of civility and cooperation, as well as the rule of law, in successfully "defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger." Kennedy's call to national service was immortalized in the memorable phrase "Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."; he also insists that true liberty includes freedom from poverty.