Textual folder
Papers of John F. Kennedy. Presidential Papers. National Security Files
JFKNSF-305-015
This folder contains materials regarding President John F. Kennedy's address at the commencement ceremony for American University in Washington, D.C. In his speech President Kennedy calls for a re-examination of attitudes towards peace, the Soviet Union, and the Cold War, and announces the United States will not conduct atmospheric nuclear tests as long as other countries uphold the same pledge. The President also announces that he, Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, and British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan have agreed to hold discussions concerning a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty. Materials in this folder include various memoranda containing editing suggestions for the speech, a draft by Special Counsel and speechwriter Theodore Sorensen, and telegrams regarding Premier Khrushchev's reaction to the speech.