a. At
the American University Commencement Ceremony, June 10, 1963, he stated:
I have, therefore, chosen this time and
this place to discuss a topic on which ignorance too often abounds and
the truth is too rarely perceived--yet it is the most important topic
on earth: world peace.
What kind of peace do I mean? What kind
of peace do we seek? Not a Pax Americana enforced on the world by
American weapons of war. Not the peace of the grave or the security of
the slave. I am talking about genuine peace, the kind of peace that
makes life on earth worth living, the kind that enables men and
nations to grow and to hope and to build a better life for their
children--not merely peace for Americans but peace for all men and
women--not merely peace in our time but peace for all time. "
READ AND HEAR THE SPEECH
AUDIO (JFK Library)
b. The
Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, July 26, 1963:
"Yesterday, a shaft of light cut into the
darkness. Negotiations were concluded in Moscow on a treaty to ban all
nuclear tests in the atmosphere, in outer space, and under water. For
the first time an agreement has been reached on bringing the forces of
nuclear destruction under international control..."
READ AND HEAR THE SPEECH
AUDIO (JFK Library)
c. His
order for the withdrawal of 1,000 American troops from South Vietnam:
On October 2, 1963,
before he went to Texas, Kennedy asked his Secretary of Defense
McNamara to make a public announcement on his order for the withdrawal
of 1,000 American troops from South Vietnam by the end of the year,
and that the U.S. would probably withdraw all American troops by the
end of 1965.
READ THE DOCUMENT
MORE INFO (JFK Library)
