January 20, 1961 - Poet Robert Frost Reads Poem at John F. Kennedy's Inauguration 

I wasnt born at this time, its a gift to be able to see and ecperience events like this 50 years later. Thank you for sharing this

I was 10 years old when I watched this event on TV. I scarcely knew anything about politics or poetry, but I was impressed by the dignity that the audience--and especially John Kennedy--maintained throughout the unfortunate reading. It was bitterly cold that January day outdoors, and the poet had trouble reading his prepared poem, but never mind. Kennedy had requested him there especially, and it said a lot about our new president that he invited a venerated poet to his inaugeration.

I watched this live. He had difficulty reading in the bright light. Always remembered this.

He was wonderful when he finally gave up attempting to see the page in the bright lights and spoke to us directly. Most speeches , ,and poetry is no exception, are best that way.

Always a favorite poet of mine, I just found out about his reading at jfk’s inauguration. Although the bright light was disappointing, I treasured this clip...I’m so glad he read from a well written poem of his after the glaring sun got the best of him! R.I.P. John F Kennedy and Robert Frost!!!

I looked this up after my dad told me about it yesterday because he watched it live. Robert Frost is simply a king

Class. Pure Class🇺🇸🇺🇸

He didn’t need to read the poem........he wrote the poem.

Always my favorite poet. Thank you for posting.

Mr. Robert Frost and Mr. John Fitzgerald Kennedy in the same location. To be a fly on the wall there. Kings upon men. Legends of the deep history. Making life as we know it.

God bless you Jack Tell Thor I found his hammer near The Auld Brig in Ayr bonnie Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿. Many thanks for the upload champ. You just made my day! 🦄👋

WOW, what a day that must have been!!! Great President and a great poet!

Kennedys inauguration address was my favorite one thats why I love history so much 🇺🇸💙💙💚💚💙💞💖💓💗❤💚💚💛💯👋😇💜💜

Thanks for posting.

I turned eight years old the day after John F Kennedy was assassinated,and there has been a sadness within my heart ever since.

thank you for making this video! I’m homeschooled and I’m reading this in a book (6th grade) and I decided to see the video and wow amazing 👏👏

Came here after Amanda Gorman delivered her poem at the inauguration

Paul Auster's "4321" gigantic and magnificent novel, brought me here. The author says that Ferguson (the main character) sees the inauguration on television but it is described a bit differently on the book. The sheaf of paper that it’s written on blows from the poet's hand away from the podium and then he recites something out of memory.

The Gift Outright The land was ours before we were the land’s She was our land more than a hundred years Before we were her people. She was ours In Massachusetts, in Virginia, But we were England’s, still colonials, Possessing what we still were unpossessed by, Possessed by what we now no more possessed. Something we were withholding made us weak Until we found out that it was ourselves We were withholding from our land of living, And forthwith found salvation in surrender. Such as we were we gave ourselves outright (The deed of gift was many deeds of war) To the land vaguely realizing westward, But still unstoried, artless, unenhanced, Such as she was, such as she will become. Robert Frost ~ On Becoming Free And Finally Finding Home. It's quite serious and not beautiful, but very appropriate. So Few Genuine Sentiment's Conveyed Now. We Have Katy Perry Sing At Both Inauguration's And Coronations 🙄 The Usual Suspects! Perhaps Something From A An Old Great American Poet Is Just What The Doctor Ordered To In 24/25 No Matter Who/ What May Come. We Are Starving For Inspiration. This I Had Not Even Heard Of. Grateful ~

♥

The Gift Outright 2:42

What did she say at 2:04

Biden was in his 20's during this.

Hey Frosty...YOU WANT SOME SNOW...MAN! Bahhh!

The book Deep Woods the story of Robert Frost by Peggy Caravantes points out the amusing in the first chapter: "...as he turned to thank John F. Kennedy, mistakenly referring to him as Mr John Finley, a Harvard Professor whom Frost knew slightly..." Fortunately he was angling away from the mic but I wonder if JFK ever had comments about the historic afternoon. Quite forgivable for a genius at age 86 who also had the chutzpahto Dis the most powerful Texan in da Korporate U.S who offered his hat to shade the poetry!

Drink every time you spot a non-white face in the clip. Then compare it to two days ago :D

I thought he read who's woods these are. Lol it's not fart its poot

This poem is a lot better than that garbage yesterday.

I appreciate his works but this was disappointing