Weobservetodaynotavictoryofparty, butacelebrationoffreedom, symbolizinganend, aswellasabeginning; signifyingrenewal, aswellaschange. ForIhaveswornbeforeyouandAlmightyGodthesamesolemnoathourforebearsprescribednearlyacenturyandthreequartersago.

inyourhands, myfellowcitizens, morethaninmine, willrestthefinalsuccessorfailureofourcourse. Sincethiscountrywasfounded, eachgenerationofAmericanshasbeensummonedtogivetestimonytoitsnationalloyalty. ThegravesofyoungAmericanswhoansweredthecalltoservicesurroundtheglobe.

Nowthetrumpetsummonsusagain, notasacalltobeararms, thougharmsweneed; notasacalltobattle, thoughembattledweare; butacalltobeartheburdenofalongtwilightstruggle, yearinandyearout, “rejoicinginhope; patientintribulation”, astruggleagainstthecommonenemiesofman: tyranny, poverty, disease, andwaritself.

Canweforgeagainsttheseenemiesagrandandglobalalliance, NorthandSouth, EastandWest, thatcanassureamorefruitfullifeforallmankind? Willyoujoininthathistoriceffort?

Inthelonghistoryoftheworld, onlyafewgenerationshavebeengrantedtheroleofdefendingfreedominitshourofmaximumdanger. Idonotshrinkfromthisresponsibility. Iwelcomeit. Idonotbelievethatanyofuswouldexchangeplaceswithanyotherpeopleoranyothergeneration. Theenergy, thefaith, thedevotionwhichwebringtothisendeavorwilllightourcountryandallwhoserveit. Andtheglowfromthatfirecantrulylighttheworld.

Andso, myfellowAmericans, asknotwhatyourcountrycandoforyou, askwhatyoucandoforyourcountry.

Myfellowcitizensoftheworld, asknotwhatAmericawilldoforyou, butwhattogetherwecandoforthefreedomofman.

Finally, whetheryouarecitizensofAmericaorcitizensoftheworld, askofusherethesamehighstandardsofstrengthandsacrificewhichweaskofyou. Withagoodconscienceouronlysurereward, withhistorythefinaljudgeofourdeeds, letusgoforthtoleadthelandwelove, askingHisblessingandHishelp, butknowingthathereonearth, God’sworkmusttrulybeourown.