According to Kennedy, Inauguration Day is not a celebration of the victory of a party. Instead, it is a celebration of the unity of a nation and the peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the next. In his 1961 Inaugural Address, Kennedy famously stated, "We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom--symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning--signifying renewal, as well as change." Kennedy emphasized the importance of national unity and called on Americans to work together to achieve common goals, regardless of political affiliation or differences. Thus, Inauguration Day is a celebration of the democratic process and the continuity of American government, rather than a partisan victory.