Jackie Kennedy's speech at "An American Pageant of the Arts" | The Kennedy Center

"Tonight seems to be at long last the beginning of what for so long has really been just a hope or a dream..." With these words, Jackie Kennedy began her remarks at "An American Pageant of the Arts," on November 29, 1962.

The purpose of the event was to raise funds for the National Cultural Center, begun under Eisenhower's administration and encouraged under Kennedy's. First Ladies Jacqueline Kennedy and Mamie Eisenhower were particularly involved as Honorary Chairs of the institution.

Two months after President Kennedy's assassination in November 1963, Congress passed and President Johnson signed into law legislation renaming the National Cultural Center (designed by Edward Durell Stone) as a "living memorial" to John F. Kennedy.

Watch the full pageant with Bob Newhart, Harry Belafonte, Yo-Yo Ma, Danny Kaye, Marian Anderson, Robert Frost, Maria Tallchief, Andre Previn, and many more:
"An American Pageant of the Arts" wit...

Learn more about the Kennedy Center's history:
https://www.kennedy-center.org/our-st...

Help Inspire Others: The Kennedy Center building may be temporarily closed, but its arts and education programming is still alive! Your gift today will provide vital support for the arts during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Please consider donating today at:
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