After reading the speeches from each former president, I realized that they resemble from each other. Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy wanted a change in America. They noticed the need of equality. Each of the former presidents also had struggles during their presidency that involved equality for all. Lincoln wanted to free the slaves, but other people did not like that idea. Kennedy wanted people of color to have freedom and to be treated equal, but other people were against that too.

In Lincolns Gettysburg Address, he starts off by honoring all the soldiers that have died in the war. He states, “We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live.” He continues to say that there is still unfinished work, and that lives of all the soldiers will not be taken as granted. He gives his country a remarkable plan that will impact us forever. He states, “a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” Lincoln talks highly on liberty for all people and that now was the time for a change.

In Kennedys Inaugural Address he starts off by saying today is a celebration of freedom. From this point on, I knew that his speech was going to change the thoughts of many people that day. He expressed his vison of a new beginning of freedom and equality. He wanted everyone to help him get his vison through by saying, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.” He does state there would be struggles by saying, “we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe to assure the survival and success of liberty.” Although it would be hard, we will get through this and be a strong united country.

Although Abraham Lincoln and John F. Kennedy worked hard to have a unified and equal country, we currently still have problems. We still have situations such as racism, discrimination, police brutality and much more. If we do not work together as a whole and as team, the problems will worsen.