Reply #28: John Kennedy's inauguration had a lot of that same energy [View All]

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I don't know if it was nationwide or strongest for my generation. But Kennedy's transition had definitely been one where people hung on -- and were often bowled over by -- the announcement of every cabinet pick.

The inauguration itself was taken as a sign that Eisenhower-era mediocrity was being replaced by something far deeper and more thoughtful -- I can still visualize Robert Frost's white hair being blown about in the midwinter wind and shining in the hard January sunlight.

Even the small details were a matter of passionate interest. There was Kennedy's refusal to wear a top hat for the inauguration -- which was taken as a go-ahead sign for the baby boomers to break decisively with the past. There was the turmoil when Kennedy let it be known that once he was president he didn't think it was appropriate for the headline-writers to refer to him as "Jack" -- which led to them coming up with "JFK."

I would guess that the number of people who are emotionally involved on that level is far greater now than in 1960. But the nature of the electricity is very much the same.