While Presidents’ Day is a day for us to honor all who have served in that office, today we’d like to acknowledge the call to service issued by our namesake, President John F. Kennedy, in his 1961 inaugural address: “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”  

On the Kennedy School campus today, you’ll find signage urging

our community to reflect on this call to service as they navigate to classes focused on an array of policy topics, attend events featuring

established leaders who are shaping public policy, and research

issues of critical public importance.

A banner reading “Ask what you can

do” hangs outside the Littauer building on the HKS campus.

Harvard University will be closed on Monday, February 21,

2022 to observe the Presidents’ Day holiday. When we return to normal business

operations on Tuesday, February 22, our Admissions & Financial Aid Committees

will resume reviewing applications from tremendously talented applicants who

are striving to answer President Kennedy’s call to service.