us, all of us, rededicate ourselves to keeping burning the golden torch of promise which john fitzgerald kennedy set aflame. [applause] and let none of us stop to rest until we have written into the law of the land all the suggestions that made up the john fitzgerald kennedy program. and then let us continue to supplement that program with the kind of laws that he would have us write. [applause] tonight, we offer ourselves -- on our record and by our platform -- as a party for all americans, an all-american party for all americans. this prosperous people, this land of reasonable men, has no place for petty partisanship or peevish prejudice. the needs of all can never be met by parties of the few. the needs of all cannot be met by a business party or a labor party, not by a war party or a peace party, not by a southern party or a northern party. [applause] our deeds will meet our needs only if we are served by a party which serves all our people. we are members together of such a party, the democratic party of 1964. we have written a proud record of accomplishments for all americans. if any ask w

it required two great presidents, john fitzgerald kennedy who called on us to respond to a national crisisd president johnson who took on after president kennedy's assassination to make that real. it required a fortitude with those who defended a way of life that was founded on bigotry and oppression. it required leaders of commission from medgar evers to dr. king to john lewis to andrew young who were willing to risk and even to give their lives an order that others might live free. most of all, it required men, women and even children. children of tremendous courage and unwaivering faith to endure the unindurable and to advance the cause of justice. these are the heroes whose legacy we celebrate on this milestone anniversary. of course, all who are old enough to remember those days, i will never forget the turmoil and violence that characterized the civil rights era. i will never forget watching on a black and white television in my childhood home, queens, new york city, countless people, rich and poor, black and white, famous and unknown, braved dogs and fire hoses, billy clubs and base

the whole world is poorer because of his loss but we can all be better americans because john fitzgerald kennedy our chosen leader at a time in history when his character, his vision and his quiet courage have enabled him to chart a course for us, a safe course for us through the shoals of treacherous seas that encompass the world. and now that he is relieved of the almost superhuman burden may he rest in peace. >> my fellow americans, all i have, i would have given gladly not to be standing here today. >> johnson knows he has to show the country that the ship of state is sailing on under the new captain. but at the same time, he can't appear to be too anxious to assume power and he has to keep the kennedy people on board with him. so that speech means everything. >> no words are strong enough to express our determination to continue the forward thrust of america that he began. [ applause ] >> investigations into all the facts of these last four days may not be limited to the state of texas or the fbi. some congressmen already have suggested a congressional investigation. >> johnson realizes som

. >> with the tranquil courage of the great leaders of democracy, john fitzgerald kennedy said to then some back and forth between kennedy and khrushchev. we'll make a promise not to invade cuba and within a matter of months the united states will take its missiles out of turkey. >> in return for that, khrushchev publicly and verifiably removed soviet missiles from cuba. >> the conditions of the cold war had been altered in spirit if not in fact by what happened in cuba. as a result of american determination in the crisis, morale has been raised throughout the non-communist world. >> perhaps this is the beginning of more understanding between our people. >> both sides realize we need to stand back from this and we need to create a framework that's less dangerous. >> i have chosen this time and place to discuss a topic on which ignorance too often abounds. and the truth too rarely perceived and that is the most important topic on earth, peace. >> the following june, kennedy gives the famous peace speech at american university in which he talks about changing our attitudes toward the so