1960 Year In Review

Announcer: The drama played in the United States every four years led someone to say once, the whole world holds its breath when the United States holds an election.

John Kennedy victorious in seven primary battles, won a first ballet presidential nomination at the democratic convention in Los Angeles.

John Kennedy: "Some would say that all the horizons have been explored, that all the battles have been won, that there is no longer an American frontier. But I trust that no one in this assemblage would agree with that sentiment. For the problems are not solved and the battles are not all won and we stand today on the edge of a new frontier. The new frontier of which I speak is not a set of promises, it is a set of challenges, it sums up not for what I intent to offer to the American people but what I intend to ask with them. It appeals to their pride."

Announcer: Two weeks later in Chicago the republican party named its candidate. Vice President Richard M. Nixon.

Richard M. Nixon: "I can only say tonight to you that I believe in the American dream because I have seen it come true in my own life. With faith in America, with faith in her ideals and in her people I accept her nomination for President of the United States."

Announcer: Almost four months later on November 8 more than 68 million Americans rendered their judgment. The decision that John Fitzgerald Kennedy United States Senator for Massachusetts at the age of 43 was to be the next President of the United States. The next man ever elected to the nation's highest office and the first of the Roman catholic faith.

Pat Nixon fighting tears stood beside her husband as he addressed the gathering of the republican faithful.

Richard M. Nixon: "If the present trend continues if Senator Kennedy will be the next President of the United States. I want Senator Kennedy to know and I want all of you to know that certainly if this trend does continue and he does become our next President then he will have my wholehearted support."

Announcer: And in Hyannis, Massachusetts the victor's first statement.

John F. Kennedy: "To all Americans I say that the next four years are going to be difficult and challenging years for us all that a supreme national effort will be needed to move this country safely through the 1960s. I ask your help and I can assure you that every degree of my spirit that I possess will be devoted to the long range interest of the United States and to the cause of freedom around the world."