Which speech marked the beginning of John F. Kennedy's presidency?

Which speech marked the beginning of John F. Kennedy's presidency?

• A. Emancipation Proclamation
• B. John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address
• C. Gettysburg Address
• D. State of the Union

Answer: (B)

The moment that officially starts a president’s time in office is the inauguration, along with the speech delivered that day. For John F. Kennedy, the speech that marks the beginning of his presidency is his Inaugural Address, delivered during the inauguration on January 20, 1961. This address signals the start of his term and lays out the themes and goals he intends to pursue as president. The other two speeches aren’t about the start of Kennedy’s presidency: the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address were delivered by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War era, long before Kennedy. The State of the Union is an annual address presidents give to Congress to report on conditions and policy, not the start of a new term.

The moment that officially starts a president’s time in office is the inauguration, along with the speech delivered that day. For John F. Kennedy, the speech that marks the beginning of his presidency is his Inaugural Address, delivered during the inauguration on January 20, 1961. This address signals the start of his term and lays out the themes and goals he intends to pursue as president.

The other two speeches aren’t about the start of Kennedy’s presidency: the Emancipation Proclamation and the Gettysburg Address were delivered by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War era, long before Kennedy. The State of the Union is an annual address presidents give to Congress to report on conditions and policy, not the start of a new term.