President John F. Kennedy: His Legacy 50 Years Later A Multi-Generational Perspective

January 2011 President John F. Kennedy’s Legacy

Fifty years have passed since the inauguration of America’s 35th President - John F. Kennedy.

At the time, his inaugural address captured the American spirit.

How meaningful is JFK’s inaugural address after five decades?

This national survey of 1,018 adults, conducted in January 2011, takes a multi-generational look at how President Kennedy’s words resonate with Americans today.

1 For the Ages Many Americans, especially younger generations, hail the legacy of John F. Kennedy. Overall, more than seven in ten Americans - 72% - describe him as either the best or one of the best presidents in U.S. history.

Do you think John F. Kennedy will be remembered as the best president in U.S. history, one of the best presidents, just average, one of the worst presidents, or the worst president in U.S. history? National Adults The best president in U.S. history

6% Millennials 3% Gen X 9% Baby Boom 8% Silent 4%

One of the best presidents 66% Millennials 82% Gen X 70% Baby Boom 60% Silent 55%

Just average 26% Millennials 15% Gen X 19% Baby Boom 31% Silent 37%

One of the worst presidents / The worst president in U.S. history 1% Millennials <1% Gen X 1% Baby Boom 2% Silent 4%

2 Memorable Passages from JFK’s Inaugural Address

For most Americans, the words of John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address resonate 50 years later. In fact, nearly all Americans believe in the importance of the preservation of liberty and how one can serve one’s country and an overwhelming number revere his references to God’s work.

Fifty years ago, John F. Kennedy gave his inaugural address. Please tell us how important you think each of the following statements from his speech should still be considered in America today: very important, somewhat important, not very important, or not important at all?*

“We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order 96% to assure the survival and the success of liberty”

“Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” 95%

“Here on earth God's work must truly be our own” 86%

"The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God” 85%

*Presents percentage reporting either ‘Very important’ or ‘Somewhat important’ 3 Assuring Liberty "We shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty" Not very Very Somewhat important/ important important National Adults Not important at all 73% 23% 5% The preservation of liberty – at any 73% price, burden, or hardship – is a 66% core American value.

30% 24% Its importance resonates across all 4% 3% generations. Millennials Generation X

74% 76%

Fifty years ago, John F. Kennedy gave his 21% 21% 5% inaugural address. Please tell us how important 3% you think each of the following statements from his speech should still be considered in America Baby Boomers Silent-Greatest today: very important, somewhat important, not Very Somewhat Not very important/ very important, or not important at all? important important Not important at all 4 “…What You Can Do for Your Country” "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country” Not very Very Somewhat important/ Nearly all Americans recognize important important National Adults Not important at all 77% 18% service to their country as an 5% important principle in the 79% United States today. 73%

About three-quarters of 23% Americans across generations 16% place great importance on 4% 5% President Kennedy’s call to Millennials Generation X action. 82% 77%

20% Fifty years ago, John F. Kennedy gave his 11% inaugural address. Please tell us how important 3% 7% you think each of the following statements from his speech should still be considered in America Baby Boomers Silent-Greatest today: very important, somewhat important, not Very Somewhat Not very important/ very important, or not important at all? important important Not important at all 5 God’s Work on Earth

"Here on earth God's work must truly be our own" Not very Very Somewhat important/ important important National Adults Not important at all 62% 24% 14% Carrying out the work of God is a responsibility deemed important 62% by most Americans today. 49%

31% This passage most strongly 20% 22% 16% resonates with Americans over 30 years of age. Millennials Generation X

66% 68%

Fifty years ago, John F. Kennedy gave his 22% 23% 12% inaugural address. Please tell us how important 9% you think each of the following statements from his speech should still be considered in America Baby Boomers Silent-Greatest today: very important, somewhat important, not Very Somewhat Not very important/ very important, or not important at all? important important Not important at all 6 The Rights of Man “The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God” Not very Very Somewhat President Kennedy’s view that important/ important important National Adults Not important at all the rights of man stem from the 59% 26% hands of God, rather than the 15% generosity of the state, is still important to most Americans 62% 50% today. 29% 21% 24% While there is a consensus about 15% the relevance of this passage today, it is especially important Millennials Generation X to Americans over 30 years of age. 60% 61%

26% Fifty years ago, John F. Kennedy gave his 23% inaugural address. Please tell us how important 14% 15% you think each of the following statements from his speech should still be considered in America Baby Boomers Silent-Greatest today: very important, somewhat important, not Very Somewhat Not very important/ very important, or not important at all? important important Not important at all 7 How the Survey was Conducted

This study was undertaken by The Knights of Columbus and conducted by The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion.

This report details the findings from a telephone survey of 1,018 adults residing in the continental United States. Telephone numbers were selected based upon a list of telephone exchanges from throughout the nation. The exchanges were selected to ensure that each region was represented in proportion to its population. To increase coverage, this land-line sample was supplemented by respondents reached through random dialing of cell phone numbers. The two samples were then combined.

Reports for adults have a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points. The error margin increases for cross- tabulations.

Millennials are defined as American adult residents between the ages of 18-30; Gen X between the ages of 31-46; Baby Boomers between the ages of 47-65; and Silent/Greatest generation over the age of 65.

Interviews were conducted from January 6, 2011 through January 10, 2011.

Please note that some totals may not add to 100% due to rounding. 8 Contact Information

Knights of The Knights of Columbus is one of the nation's premiere volunteer and Columbus charitable organizations. Last year, Knights worldwide donated nearly 69 Headquarters million hours, and more than $150 million to charitable causes in communities throughout the Americas, as well in Europe and Asia. From Mr. Carl Anderson, Supreme Knight helping children in need, to providing wheelchairs for the disabled, to Mr. Andrew Walther, Vice President, Media, Research and Development helping stock food banks, to offering top-rated and affordable life 1 Columbus Plaza insurance to its members, the Knights has been at the service of the New Haven, CT 06510 (203) 752-4253 community for more than 127 years, and is the world's largest Catholic service organization.

Marist College Founded in 1978, The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion (MIPO) is a Institute for Public survey research center at Marist College in Poughkeepsie, New York. The Opinion Marist Poll has conducted independent research on public priorities, Lee M. Miringoff, PhD elections, and a wide variety of social issues. Through the regular public

Barbara L. Carvalho, PhD release of surveys, MIPO has built a legacy of independence, reliability, and

Susan K. McCulloch, PhDc accuracy. Its results are featured in print and electronic media throughout Marist College the world. 3399 North Road Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 (845) 575-5050

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