JFK's inaugural speech included themes of freedom, equality, and global peace. When Kennedy, the country’s first Catholic president, said that he had “sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three quarters ago,” it was not explicitly stated but clearly understood that despite the fact that he worshipped in a Catholic church and the American forefathers worshipped in a Protestant church, they all looked to an ethical framework embodied in religious precepts.

The speech called on individuals to proactively engage in service to their country and to the global stage. He called for people to be accountable for taking an active role on the civil arena and having a voice. In fact, a key line from President John F. Kennedy’s inaugural speech is very well known and quoted often.

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.

The speech addressed the American people and also spoke to citizens of other nations:

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

He encouraged each individual to participate to improve the world and to work together to achieve the goals of his presidency, which would be to fight for civil rights and equality. He stated outright that America would not

witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this Nation has always been committed, and to which we are committed today at home and around the world.

This latter statement also attested to the monitoring role that he felt America should and would play to counter the forces at play on the global arena with the Cold War and potentially oppressive regimes. In fact, he specifically referred to the inauguration day as “a celebration of freedom.”

These views reflected his core belief that people have an obligation to participate in the fight for freedom and perform their civic duty. The address also outlined the direction his brief presidency would take with the Civil Rights movement and combating the Cold War.