John F. Kennedy’s Peace Speech and Khrushchev’s Reaction

I speak of peace therefore as the necessary rational end of rational men.

I realize the pursuit of peace is not as dramatic as the pursuit of war, and frequently the words of the pursuers fall on deaf ears, but we have no more urgent task. Let us not be blind to our differences, but let us also direct attention to our common interests and the means by which those differences can be resolved.

And if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity.

For in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet.

We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children's futures, and we are all mortal.

And that is the most important topic on earth, peace.

What kind of a peace do I mean, and what kind of a 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, and the kind that enables men and nations to grow and to hope and 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, peace in all time.

And what is amazing, absolutely amazing, is that Khrushchev heard it, was carried away, summoned the U.S. envoy, Kennedy's envoy to Moscow, Avril Harriman, and said, this is the finest speech by an American president since FDR. I want to make peace with your president.