60 years ago on June 10, 1963, President John F. Kennedy visited American University to give the commencement speech for the class of 1963. Just 9 months prior, the United States and the Soviet Union had come perilously close to nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis. As tensions cooled, President Kennedy wanted to open more dialogue with the USSR, and chose his speech at AU to give what he called "A Strategy of Peace." During his nearly 27-minute address, Kennedy called for the development of a nuclear test ban treaty, pledging that the United States would suspend nuclear tests in the atmosphere so long as other nations did the same. At the same time, he called for Americans to respect and understand the Soviet Union and its people, to remember their common history and sacrifices during World War II.

While the speech did not receive much response in the United States, it was warmly received in the USSR, particularly by Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev; and less than two months after the president's address the Partial Nuclear Test Ban Treaty was signed between the US, USSR, and UK. Today "A Strategy of Peace" is considered one of Kennedy's greatest and most powerful speeches.

An excerpt from the speech is available to listen to at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Archives. Listen to it by following the link below.

Commencement Address at the American University, 10 June 1963 | JFK Library