Longstanding listeners know that we have a tradition of talking about great speeches in American history on Memorial Day and July 4, when many such great speeches have been delivered.  If you search in your engine of choice, you will find various listicles of great Independence Day speeches. They always include Ronald Reagan’s in 1984, FDR’s in 1942 – the first 4th of July of our participation in World War II – and Frederick Douglass’s famous speech in 1852.  The pantheon of such speeches also includes the Independence Day speech of 29-year-old John F. Kennedy in 1946, the first 4th after World War II.  That speech, which was very much about one understanding of American history, is the subject of this episode.

The setting for the speech was Boston’s Faneuil Hall.  The occasion was Boston’s Independence Day celebration. The context was Jack Kennedy’s first campaign for public office, for the Democratic nomination for the Massachusetts 11th Congressional District.

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Selected references for this episode

Robert Dallek, An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917 - 1963

John F. Kennedy, "SOME ELEMENTS OF THE AMERICAN CHARACTER" INDEPENDENCE DAY ORATION BY JOHN FITZGERALD KENNEDY, CANDIDATE FOR CONGRESS FROM THE 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT, JULY 4, 1946