This bonus episode is President John F. Kennedy's first state of the union address to Congress on January 30, 1961, 10 days after his inauguration. It is also 13 days after President Eisenhower gave his farewell address and which this podcast released two weeks ago on August 7, 2024. It will be interesting for listeners to hear the two speeches back to back.

In the speech President Kennedy discusses his concerns regarding the economic recession, the depreciation of the American dollar, the need for federal aid in education and scientific research, and Congress’ duty to respond to domestic issues, such as civil rights and clean water supplies. The President also discusses the possible spread of communism in Asia and Latin America, the need to restore peace in the Republic of Congo, and his plan for Cold War diplomacy, which focuses on the use of new military, economic, and political tools to meet potential challenges from the Soviet Union or Communist China.

Source: John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Archives