John F. Kennedy's 1963 Televised Address to the Nation on Civil Rights
642,898
Published 2020-06-05
He also discusses how discrimination affects education, public safety, and international relations, noting that the country cannot preach freedom internationally while ignoring it domestically. The President asks Congress to enact legislation protecting all Americans' voting rights, legal standing, educational opportunities, and access to public facilities, but recognizes that legislation alone cannot solve the country's problems concerning race relations.
© Columbia Broadcasting System. Non-exclusive licensing rights held by the JFK Library Foundation.
View multi-lingual transcripts at: www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/historic-speech…
All Comments (21)
-
Listening to this man makes you feel that's you are an American citizen even if you are not.
-
"Law alone cannot make men see right"
-
Absolutely phenomenal leadership. This country has never seen such excellence since then. "I'm not satisfied until EVERY American enjoys their full Constitutional rights. I don't want the talents of ANY American to go to waste."
-
They don’t make presidents like this anymore. Godspeed, Jack.
-
Country was never the same after he was killed. A great president has a command of the English language.It's not everything, but it is part of it.
-
His ability to communicate was just phenomenal...Respect from Canada...
-
Listening to President Kennedy’s speeches, it strikes me that one of the key differences from his speech and the speech of more recent presidents is the articulation of eternal truths. President Kennedy’s speech does not talk around these truths or avoid mentioning them in favor of more neutral language. His speeches really demonstrated political courage that you see less and less of nowadays.
-
Around 11:39, Kennedy goes off script. From that point he is speaking his own words in real time. He is just as clear and concise as he was reading the words he and speechwriter Ted Sorenson crafted, only with the benefit of full eye contact with his audience that relays conviction. Well done.
-
What a great speech from a true leader. Very far from what we experience in these days. What a decline in the office of president we are left with since the days of this true statesman. What an inmeasurable loss his death meant.
-
Even in this year of 2022, every time I hear a speech from President Kennedy, I can’t help but feel inspired by his words, leadership and the courage he portrayed. I was born about 10 years after he was assassinated. Even so, there’s just something about him that resonates with me and makes me hope that someday another leader like him will come forward.
-
Everything he is saying, couldn't be more true than today! I was living in Mobile, Alabama, as a child when this speech was made! I remember it very clearly! It was the beginning of my love for the Kennedys!! 🙏❤️🇺🇸
-
At 11:40 Kennedy stops reading from a prepared speech and 'wings' the rest straight from the heart. The greatest of them all!❤
-
This speech was a testament to JFK's courage and strength of character. Many don't realize that this speech, which was unprecedented by a U.S. president, posed a tremendous risk to his re-election to office. He knew that what he said would alienate a great many Southern delegates who helped him win his first election. But he was willing to assume this risk out of moral conscience. This is why as a Black man I think that JFK was the GOAT of U.S. presidents. I even revere him more than Obama.
-
This speech led to the passing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Too bad he was taken away from us before his time and didn't get to see it happen. He was truly an amazing man, he stood for what he believed in and what was right. The greatest.
-
I'm nearly 55. I wish I had been born a few years earlier just to hear President Kennedy speak in the moment. I've been a registered voter since I turned 18. We need leadership like Kennedy today. America, please vote!
-
I believe that there will never be a greater period in America’s life as this moment in history under President Kennedy!
-
There were some awful things happening in the 1960's in America - However, this is something extraordinary and I'm grateful today and tomorrow and always ♡♡♡
-
Iam from S.Sudan and am proud of him,he was the best among other best leaders who entered White House.what a legacy?
-
Presidents, like all of us, are tested in the moments of challenge. With this speech, unprecedented at the time despite the words and promise of our Constitution and its amendments, President Kennedy stood up and met the moment.
-
THIS is what a real president looks like and people who really know their history are all missing him forever. He will NEVER be replaced or equaled and the entire world has always known this. God bless John Kennedy. .💔 🇺🇸
