QuoteQuest“Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”
— John F. Kennedy, 1961
Verification
VerifiedWording confirmed against a primary source.
Wording matches the official transcript and recording held by the JFK Library.
Source
- Title
- Inaugural Address
- Type
- speech · Primary source
- Date
- 20 January 1961
- Location
- Near the end of the address
- Held by
- John F. Kennedy Presidential Library
Context
Delivered at Kennedy's inauguration in Washington, D.C., during the Cold War.
What it means
A call to civic duty: citizens should contribute to the common good rather than only expect benefits.
Cite this source
Kennedy, John F.. (20 January 1961). Inaugural Address. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library. https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/about-jfk/historic-speeches/inaugural-address
Check citations against your institution's style guide; some details may be missing.
Provenance: Manually entered from the JFK Library transcript.