John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address inspired children and adults to see the importance of civic action and public service. His historic words, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country,” challenged every American to contribute in some way to the public good. The letter included in this activity, written by a third-grade student, is one of thousands housed at the Kennedy Presidential Library.

Analyzing the Evidence: A Letter to President Kennedy

In this activity, students analyze a primary source document, reflect on its historical significance, and make connections to their own lives.

Begin the activity with a discussion about the 2009 presidential inauguration. What happened that day? Did students watch it? Listen to it? Read about it? What were some of the topics and ideas President Obama discussed in his speech? How did the crowd respond?

Explain that forty-eight years ago, John F. Kennedy, the youngest U.S. president ever elected, gave an inaugural address which is now well-known for its powerful language and message. They will have the opportunity to examine historical evidence from the Kennedy Presidential Library to find out more about John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address and its impact on people at that moment in time. 

Click here for a copy of the letter. Distribute copies of the letter.

  1. What do you notice about the letter? Who wrote it? How old is the author? To whom is it written? Where was it written? Why did the author write it?
  2. What was the weather like on the day of the inauguration? What evidence in the letter supports your answer?
  3. How was the author able to watch the inauguration? What does it tell you about how things have changed since 1961?
  4. What information is not included in the letter? What questions do you have about it? What would you want to ask the author?
  5. The author writes, “Love to Caroline and John Jr.” To whom is she referring? Why does she include this in the letter?
  6. Write this quote on a blackboard or chart paper: “And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” Explain that these words are some of the most well-known from Kennedy’s inaugural address. Can you put the quote in your own words? What does it mean?
  7. Have students brainstorm a list of actions they might take in response to John F. Kennedy’s call to service, “Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” What could you do to help your family, school, community, or country in some way?


Extensions:

  1. As a class, select one action from the list generated by the class. Devise an action plan and carry it out.

  2. How might students check to see what John F. Kennedy said in his speech? You may access all of John F. Kennedy’s speeches, including the inaugural address, in the “Research” section of our website. Click on "Ready Reference" and then "Speeches of John F. Kennedy." The inaugural address is listed under “1961.” Have students read the transcript as they listen to or watch the speech. Ask them to highlight the parts of the speech that might have inspired Brenda Sue Wesson to write a letter to the President. (Since the speech has many words that are unfamiliar to elementary students, it is best to preview vocabulary and concepts with them before reading the speech.) 

  3. Have students study and present quotes from the speech. Divide the class into small groups. Have each group put the quote in their own words. Challenge students to memorize the quote, present it to the class, and explain what they think the quote means.

    “If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.”
    “All this will not be finished in the first one hundred days. Nor will it be finished in the first one thousand days, nor in the life of this Administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let us begin.”
    “The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it—and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.”
    “In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility—I welcome it.”

  4. Read and/or listen to all or part of President Obama’s speech. What messages do students hear? What part of the speech is most important to them? As individuals, or as a class, write a letter to President Obama responding to the speech. You may send letters to:

    President Barack Obama
    The White House
    1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
    Washington, D.C. 20500

  5. Have students compare the inaugural addresses of John F. Kennedy and Barack Obama. Specifically, John F. Kennedy challenged the American people to serve the public good in some way, to take responsibility for making the country a better place. Does Barack Obama offer a similar challenge? A different challenge?