As President-elect Kennedy prepared to take the oath of office in 11 days, he reached back to the 1600's and John Winthrop as he realized the enormity of his responsibility. Like Winthrop had asked how the Massachusetts Bay Colony would be viewed by future generations, Kennedy asked his home state’s legislature how his administration would be judged. He said four questions would give the answer to future historians. “Were we truly men of courage… truly men of judgment… truly men of integrity… truly men of dedication?” He had listed four characteristics of an exceptionally strong presidency. Would it/did it meet the test of his own questions?