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The 15 most inspiring presidential speeches in american history.

• By Tara Kibler
• February 15, 2021
• History , Political Science

Over the centuries, millions upon millions of words have been used by U.S. presidents to motivate, caution, reassure, and guide the American people. Whether written in the news, spoken at a podium, or shared on Twitter, all of these words have carried weight, each with the potential to impact the trajectory of our nation. Only a handful of times, however, has the particular arrangement and context of these words been considered truly inspiring.

This Presidents’ Day, join HeinOnline in rediscovering some of the greatest presidential speeches in American history using our   U.S. Presidential Library  and other sources.

1. Washington’s Farewell Address

Date:  September 17th, 1796

Context:  Toward the end of his second term as the first U.S. president, George Washington announced his retirement from office in a letter addressed to the American people. Though many feared for a United States without Washington, the address reassured the young nation that it no longer required his leadership. Washington also used the opportunity to offer advice for the prosperity of the country. After witnessing the growing division between the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties, much of his advice was to warn against political parties, factions, and other animosities (domestic and foreign) that would eventually undermine the integrity and efficacy of the American government.

Notable Quote:  “This spirit [of party], unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind … [but] the disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.

“Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it. It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions … A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume.”

2. Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address

Date:  November 19, 1863

Context:  Four months after Union armies defeated Confederates at Gettysburg during the American Civil War, President Lincoln visited the site to dedicate the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. In what were intended to be brief, appropriate remarks for the situation, Lincoln used the moment to offer his take on the war and its meaning. The ten sentences he spoke would ultimately become one of the most famous speeches in American history, an inspiration for notable remarks centuries later, and even a foundation for the wording of other countries’ constitutions.

Notable Quote:  “… from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they heregave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that the dead shall not have died in vain; that the Nation shall under God have a new birth of freedom, and that Governments of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth.”

3. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Inaugural Address

Date:  March 4, 1933

Context:  The inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt was held as the country was in the throes of the Great Depression, and as such, America anxiously awaited what he had to say. Roosevelt did not disappoint, offering 20 minutes of reassurance, hope, and promises for urgent action.

Notable Quote:  “So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is … fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and of vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. And I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.”

4. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s First Fireside Chat

Date:  March 12, 1933

Context:  Just a few days after his inauguration, Roosevelt instituted what he called “fireside chats,” using the relatively new technology of radio to enter the living rooms of Americans and discuss current issues. In these moments, he could speak at length, unfiltered and uninterrupted by the press, while also offering a reassuring, optimistic tone that might otherwise have been lost in the written word. In this first fireside chat, he crafted a message to explain the American banking process (and its current difficulties) in a way that the average listener could understand.

Notable Quote:  “Confidence and courage are the essentials of success in carrying out our plan. You people must have faith. You must not be stampeded by rumors or guesses. Let us unite in banishing fear. We have provided the machinery to restore our financial system, and it is up to you to support and make it work. It is your problem, my friends. Your problem no less than it is mine. Together, we cannot fail.”

5. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms” Speech

Date:  January 6, 1941

Context:  By 1941, many affected by the Great Depression had experienced economic recovery, but another world-changing phenomenon had reared its head—Hitler and his Nazi regime. World War II was raging in Europe and the Pacific, but the United States had thus far remained largely neutral. In light of the atrocities occurring overseas, Roosevelt sought to change that. He crafted his State of the Union address that January to highlight four freedoms which are deserved by all humans everywhere. The “Four Freedoms” speech, as it was ultimately known, later became the basis for  America’s intervention in World War II  and significantly influenced American values, life, and politics moving forward.

Notable Quote:  “In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression—everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way—everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want—which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peace of time life for its inhabitants—everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear—which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction, armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor—anywhere in the world.”

6. Eisenhower’s “Atoms for Peace” Speech

Date:  December 8, 1953

Context:  During World War II, Roosevelt formally authorized the Manhattan Project, a top-secret U.S. effort to weaponize nuclear energy. By 1945,  America had successfully created the atomic bomb , and President Truman had authorized its detonation in Japan’s Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leveling the two cities and killing hundreds of thousands of people. Following the end of World War II, political and economic differences between the United States and Soviet Union drove the two countries to another war soon after, but this time, the Soviet Union had their own atomic bomb as well. The world was teetering on a frightening ledge built by access to nuclear power, causing President Eisenhower to launch an “emotion management” campaign with this speech to the United Nations about the very real risks but also peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Notable Quote:  “… the whole book of history reveals mankind’s never-ending quest for peace and mankind’s God-given capacity to build. It is with the book of history, and not with isolated pages, that the United States will ever wish to be identified. My country wants to be constructive, not destructive. It wants agreements, not wars, among nations. It wants itself to live in freedom and in the confidence that the peoples of every other nation enjoy equally the right of choosing their own way of life. … The United States knows that if the fearful trend of atomic military build-up can be reversed, this greatest of destructive forces can be developed into a great boon, for the benefit of all mankind.”

7. Eisenhower’s Farewell Address

Date:  January 17, 1961

Context:  As he came to the end of his term, President Eisenhower found himself in a nation much stronger, much richer, and much more advanced than when he began. Prepared as early as two years in advance, his farewell address acknowledged the pride all should have in these achievements, but also served to ground the American people in sobering reality—that how the United States uses this power and standing will ultimately determine its fate. Like Washington, his address was one of caution against dangers such as massive spending, an overpowered military industry, and Federal domination of scientific progress (or vice versa, the scientific-technological domination of public policy). In all things, he stressed the need to maintain balance as the country moves forward, for the preservation of liberty.

Notable Quote:  “Down the long lane of the history yet to be written America knows that this world of ours, ever growing smaller, must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and be, instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect. Such a confederation must be one of equals. The weakest must come to the conference table with the same confidence as do we, protected as we are by our moral, economic, and military strength. That table, though scarred by many past frustrations, cannot be abandoned for the certain agony of the battlefield.”

8. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address

Date:  January 20, 1961

Context:  A few days after Eisenhower’s farewell speech, he turned over his office to the youngest-ever elected president, John F. Kennedy. Kennedy now found himself faced with the monumental task of strengthening the United States while also quelling American anxieties about the Cold War and avoiding nuclear warfare. His speech thus focused on unity, togetherness, and collaboration both domestically and abroad.

Notable Quote:  “In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility—I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it—and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.

And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”

9. Kennedy’s “We Choose to Go to the Moon” Speech

Date:  September 12, 1962

Context:  In the name of national security, the United States and USSR set their sights on spaceflight as a top priority during the Cold War. To the surprise (and fear) of people around the globe, the Soviet Union launched the first-ever artificial satellite in 1957, then sent the first human being into space in 1961, signaling to onlookers that its nation was a technological force to be reckoned with. Kennedy was determined to come up with a challenge in space technology that the United States actually stood a chance to win. In the early ’60s, he proposed that America focus on putting a man on the moon. In an uplifting speech at Rice University, Kennedy reminded his listeners of the country’s technological progress so far and of his administration’s determination to continue the pioneering spirit of early America into the new frontier of space.

Notable Quote:  “We choose to go to the moon. We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.”

Read about America’s successful moon landing in this blog post.

10. Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Great Society” Speech

Date:  May 22, 1964

Context:  Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as President in 1963, immediately following  Kennedy’s assassination . Johnson vowed to continue the former president’s work on poverty, civil rights, and other issues. Inspired in part by FDR’s New Deal, he devised a set of programs intended to completely eliminate poverty and racial injustice. In 1964, he formally proposed some specific goals in a speech to the University of Michigan, where he coined the lofty ideal of a “Great Society.”

Notable Quote:  “Your imagination, your initiative, and your indignation will determine whether we build a society where progress is the servant of our needs, or a society where old values and new visions are buried under unbridled growth. For in your time we have the opportunity to move not only toward the rich society and the powerful society, but upward to the Great Society.”

11. Lyndon B. Johnson’s “We Shall Overcome” Speech

Date:  March 15, 1965

Context:  By the 1960s, blacks in areas of the Deep South found themselves disenfranchised by state voting laws, such as those requiring a poll tax, literacy tests, or knowledge of the U.S. constitution. Furthermore, these laws were sometimes applied subjectively, leading to the prevention of even educated blacks from voting or registering to vote. Inspired (and sometimes joined) by Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., protests were planned throughout the region. Eight days after racial violence erupted around one of these protests in Selma, Alabama, President Johnson addressed Congress to declare that “every American citizen must have an equal right to vote” and that discriminatory policies were denying African-Americans that right.

Notable Quote:  “What happened in Selma is part of a far larger movement which reaches into every section and State of America. It is the effort of American Negroes to secure for themselves the full blessings of American life. Their cause must be our cause too. Because it’s not just Negroes, but really it’s all of us, who must overcome the crippling legacy of bigotry and injustice. And we shall overcome …

“This great, rich, restless country can offer opportunity and education and hope to all, all black and white, all North and South, sharecropper and city dweller. These are the enemies: poverty, ignorance, disease. They’re our enemies, not our fellow man, not our neighbor. And these enemies too—poverty, disease, and ignorance: we shall overcome.”

12. Reagan’s D-Day Anniversary Address

Date:  June 6, 1984

Context:  During World War II, the Allied forces attacked German troops on the coast of Normandy, France on June 6, 1944. A turning point for the war, the day came to be known as D-Day, and its anniversary is forever acknowledged. On its 40th anniversary, President Ronald Reagan honored the heroes of that day in a speech that also invoked a comparison of World War II’s Axis dictators to the Soviet Union during the ongoing Cold War. This reminder to the Allies that they once fought together against totalitarianism and must continue the fight now helped contribute to the ultimate dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Notable Quote:  “We look for some sign from the Soviet Union that they are willing to move forward, that they share our desire and love for peace, and that they will give up the ways of conquest. There must be a changing there that will allow us to turn our hope into action. We will pray forever that some day that changing will come. But for now, particularly today, it is good and fitting to renew our commitment to each other, to our freedom, and to the alliance that protects it. We are bound today by what bound us 40 years ago, the same loyalties, traditions, and beliefs. We’re bound by reality. The strength of America’s allies is vital to the United States, and the American security guarantee is essential to the continued freedom of Europe’s democracies. We were with you then; we are with you now. Your hopes are our hopes, and your destiny is our destiny.”

13. Reagan’s Berlin Wall Speech

Date:  June 12, 1987

Context:  With the fall of Nazi Germany at the end of World War II, Western powers and the Soviet Union sought to establish systems of government in their respective occupied regions. West Germany developed into a Western capitalist country, with a democratic parliamentary government, while East Germany became a socialist workers’ state (though it was often referred to as communist in the English-speaking world). Many experiencing hunger, poverty, and repression in the Soviet-influenced East Germany attempted to move west, with the City of Berlin their main point of crossing. Ultimately, the Soviet Union advised East Germany to build a wall on the inner German border, restricting movement and emigration by threat of execution for attempted emigrants. Seen as a symbol of Communist tyranny by Western nations, the Berlin Wall persisted for nearly three decades. In 1987, President Ronald Reagan visited West Berlin and called upon Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev to take down the wall as a symbol of moving forward.

Notable Quote:  “We welcome change and openness; for we believe that freedom and security go together, that the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of world peace. There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace. General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

14. George W. Bush’s Post-9/11 Speech

Date:  September 11, 2001

Context:  On September 11, 2001, the United States experienced  the single worst terrorist attack in human history , where four American planes were hijacked and flown into American buildings, killing nearly 3,000 people. Viewers around the world watched the news as five stories of the Pentagon fell and the World Trade Center buildings collapsed entirely. Later that evening, President George W. Bush addressed the nation with a brief but powerful message that chose to focus not on fear, but on America’s strength in unity.

Notable Quote:

“These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.”

15. Obama’s “More Perfect Union” Speech

Date:  March 18, 2008

Context:  While campaigning for the presidency in 2008, Barack Obama came under fire for his relationship with pastor Jeremiah Wright, who had been heard to denounce the United States and accuse the government of racial crimes. To officially address the relationship and condemn Wright’s inflammatory remarks, Obama crafted a speech that discussed the history of racial inequality in America as well as the dissonance between that history and America’s ideals of human liberty. Importantly, however, he also highlighted the necessity for a unified American people to effectively combat those issues, rather than more racial division.

Notable Quote:  “[T]he remarks that have caused this recent firestorm weren’t simply controversial. They weren’t simply a religious leader’s effort to speak out against perceived injustice. Instead, they expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country—a view that sees white racism as endemic, and that elevates what is wrong with America above all that we know is right with America ….

“[These] comments were not only wrong but divisive, divisive at a time when we need unity; racially charged at a time when we need to come together to solve a set of monumental problems—two wars, a terrorist threat, a falling economy, a chronic health care crisis and potentially devastating climate change; problems that are neither black or white or Latino or Asian, but rather problems that confront us all ….

“The fact is that the comments that have been made and the issues that have surfaced over the last few weeks reflect the complexities of race in this country that we’ve never really worked through—a part of our union that we have yet to perfect. And if we walk away now, if we simply retreat into our respective corners, we will never be able to come together and solve challenges like health care, or education, or the need to find good jobs for every American.”

Read about Barack Obama’s presidency in this blog post.

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The Best Presidential Speeches of All Time

Presidential speeches are often remembered for one great phrase, memorable line, or rhetorical flourish that makes its way into the history books. But they should be seen as more than collections of memorable words - in fact, as documents of their time and place. Great presidential speeches are made in the context of crises, challenges, and times of great peril. But they can also inspire, uplift, and encourage. The truly great speeches manage to do both at once.

What's less well-known about many of the great addresses by presidents that they're short. Maybe the most famous speech in American history, Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, is just over two minutes long. Many others, rather than being long rambles of adjectives and superlatives, are fewer than one thousand words, and lasted just 10 minutes. They didn't need thousands and thousands of words to make their point, just a few well-chosen ones given by a dynamic speaker.

The Gettysburg Address

President Lincoln delivered his most famous speech just five months after the Battle of Gettysburg, at the dedication of the site's military cemetery. There is no existing final copy, and the five surviving manuscripts of the speech all have slightly different word choices. The speech was just 10 sentences long, and took two and a half minutes to deliver.

Kennedy's Inaugural Address

President Kennedy's only inaugural address was one of the shortest on record, fewer than 1,400 words and taking only 13 minutes and 42 seconds. But it perfectly encapsulated the social change, economic prosperity, and political upheaval Kennedy was walking into.

Lincoln's Second Inaugural Address

President Lincoln gave his second inaugural address on March 4, 1865, as the Civil War was reaching its bloody conclusion. With reconstruction between the North and South looming, Lincoln paused to take stock of what had been lost, and what could be gained. It was just 700 words long, and took around five minutes to deliver.

Washington's Farewell Address

President Washington actually wrote a version of his farewell to the American people after his first term, but decided to run for a second given the precarious state of the country. It was first published in the American Daily Advertiser newspaper, then in papers and pamphlets around the country. Washington never actually gave the address as a speech.

Kennedy's "We Choose to Go to the Moon" Speech

While President Kennedy had declared the United States's intention to put a man on the Moon in May 1961, the idea didn't truly resonate with the American people until his speech in September of the next year. In front of a massive crowd at Rice University, Kennedy managed to make Americans enthusiastic about spending billions of dollars on a prospect with no guarantee of success.

FDR's Infamy Speech

President Roosevelt's speech to a Joint Session of Congress the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor served to emphasize the idea of America as the victim of a cowardly sneak attack, rather than as a player in a complicated geopolitical struggle. Lasting just seven minutes, the speech let it be known that isolationism was no longer an option - and less than an hour later, the US declared war on Japan.

Reagan's Brandenburg Gate Speech

President Reagan's speech at an event commemorating the 750th anniversary of the founding of Berlin was little noticed in the American press, and hotly criticized by Communist media outlets, who found it inflammatory. Even Reagan's staff were divided on the speech's tone and call to disarmament, but one key phrase in the middle of the speech stuck out, and became a rallying cry for Reagan's final year in office.

Eisenhower's Farewell Address

Upon leaving office in January 1961, President Eisenhower cautioned against the growing influence of the defense industry. He warned the American people that the vast ratcheting up of defense spending and arms production could one day become a threat to our own liberty. Eisenhower deemed this the "military-industrial complex," a phrase now in the common vernacular.

FDR’s First Inaugural Address

Having won a landslide victory over Herbert Hoover, Roosevelt took the opportunity to deliver a fairly short speech of around 20 minutes, meant to reassure the nation. The address became famous for its optimistic tone, in spite of the raging Great Depression.

Lincoln's Cooper Union Speech

Given a few months before the Republican nominating convention, historians believe Lincoln's speech at New York City's Cooper Union sealed his winning of the nomination. The speech, one of Lincoln's longest, laid out his views on what seemed to be the only important issues of the time - slavery and secession. He forcefully and clearly laid out his views, juxtaposing them with the Founding Fathers'.

Teddy Roosevelt's "Man with the Muck-Rake" Speech

Roosevelt had been the first president to actively interface with the press, holding conferences and elevating the position of Press Secretary to his cabinet. In his April 1906 speech , the progressive president outlined his support of the crusading journalists who were bringing to light the abuses and exploitation of America's rapidly industrializing society. In doing so, he introduced the term "muckraker" into the popular vernacular.

Jefferson's First Inaugural

Thomas Jefferson was sworn in under a cloud of controversy, as, when he and Aaron Burr tied in the Electoral College, the election of 1800 had to be decided in the House of Representatives. With Jefferson finally emerging victorious, and the nation teetering on the edge, he spoke of the need to find common ground between the two parties controlling American politics at the time. 

George W. Bush's Post 9/11 Speech

With the nation reeling in the wake of the September 11th attacks, President Bush addressed the country with a short but powerful message . Since the culprits behind the attacks were still unknown, Bush spoke to the resoluteness of the American spirit, and encouraged the people not to be overtaken by fear of what was ahead.

FDR's 1941 State of the Union

Roosevelt spoke to a nation girding for war in 1941, reminding the people of what was at stake in the Second World War. The speech became known as the " Four Freedoms Speech," as Roosevelt advocated for freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from fear, and freedom from want. The speech was criticized by anti-war contingents, but came to be seen as a kind of shorthand for why the United States was fighting.

Ronald Reagan's First Inaugural

Reagan strode into office declaring his intention to sweep away the growing bureaucracy and economic stagnation that had plagued previous administrations. And while Reagan's address never directly mentions the American hostages being held in Iran, the tough message of the speech was clear, and the hostages were released while Reagan was speaking.

In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem."

Johnson's "We Shall Overcome" Speech

On March 15, 1965, President Johnson addressed a joint session of Congress on behalf of the Voting Rights Act and to denounce the violence attacks on marchers in Selma, Alabama. While many questioned Johnson's motives in giving the speech (he'd been on the other side of the civil rights debate until late into the 1950s), nobody could question his sincerity after hearing it.

"Truman Doctrine" Speech

On March 12, 1947, President Truman addressed a Joint Session of Congress on the recent crises in Greece and the Turkish Straits. Truman made it clear that the US would attempt to contain the spread of Communism in both countries, as one falling would lead to the other falling - the "Domino Theory" that became used as a justification for the Cold War. Truman espoused the dangers the world was facing, and the cost of inaction. Historians point to this speech as the beginning of the Cold War that would dominate US foreign policy for the next 40 years.

Obama's "A More Perfect Union" Speech

In the throes of the 2008 Democratic primary, Barack Obama had become embroiled in a controversy over his previous association with an inflammatory pastor named Jeremiah Wright. At a campaign event in March, Obama spoke of race relations in America in general, and of his association with Wright in particular, in a fiery speech that some pundits believe won him the Democratic nomination.

Famous quote: " I can no more disown [Wright] than I can disown the Black community. I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother – a woman who helped raise me, a woman who sacrificed again and again for me, a woman who loves me as much as she loves anything in this world, but a woman who once confessed her fear of Black men who passed by her on the street, and who on more than one occasion has uttered racial or ethnic stereotypes that made me cringe."

Nixon's "Silent Majority" Speech

President Nixon used this term in a November 1969 speech prevailing upon the American people to support the Vietnam War. He was referencing the great mass of blue collar and suburban conservatives who weren't joining anti-war protest marches, weren't participating in the counterculture, and preferred to not speak up. Nixon didn't invent the phrase, though, as several other prominent figures had used it, including Nixon's own vice president, Spiro Agnew.

Woodrow Wilson's Second Inaugural

While Wilson ran on the slogan, "He Kept Us Out of War," by the time of his second inauguration in March 1917, it was clear that US neutrality couldn't last. German attacks on merchant shipping had increased, and a number of American citizens had been killed on ships flying neutral flags. Wilson's speech prepared the nation to enter a war it was still divided about.

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Celebrate Presidents Day with these 10 historic speeches

Reflecting back on our nation's greatest leaders..

Kristen Hubby

Posted on Feb 20, 2017   Updated on May 24, 2021, 11:27 pm CDT

Presidents Day is time to reflect and show appreciation for our nation’s greatest leaders, those who have led the country and lifted the people up with their inspiring words and courageous actions.  Acast , the Swedish podcast platform, recently released a new series, Presidents’ Day Collection , highlighting the most influential presidential speeches. The collection, which was done in collaboration with the National Archives, dates back to JFK’s memorable inaugural address in 1961.

“We thought, let’s do something political, but what everyone can feel good about, which is reminding people how powerful the U.S. presidents and the presidential post is,” said Caitlin Thompson, Acast’s U.S. director of content. “That this can be a clarion call to be optimistic and get people to work together.”

Listed below are Acast’s 10 most influential speeches from former U.S. presidents in the past 50 years to rouse inspiration and positivity that is sometimes forgotten.

1) John F. Kennedy

Screengrab via Presidents’ Day Collection/Acast

Former President John F. Kennedy was sworn in as president Jan. 20, 1961, as the 35th president of the United States. His inaugural address was memorable for many reasons, including his use of the phrase “my fellow citizens,” which was last issued by George Washington and rejected by former presidents due to its informal nature.

Here’s the final thrust of the address .

In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility–I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it–and the glow from that fire can truly light the world. And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you–ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man. Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.

2) Richard Nixon

President Richard Nixon delivered his first inauguration address Jan. 20, 1969. Nixon’s presidency was, of course, one of the most controversial, resulting in resignation. Despite the Nixon administration continuing the war in Vietnam in 1973, his inauguration address talked of peace and solidarity.

We are caught in war, wanting peace. We are torn by division, wanting unity. We see around us empty lives, wanting fulfillment. We see tasks that need doing, waiting for hands to do them. To a crisis of the spirit, we need an answer of the spirit. And to find that answer, we need only look within ourselves.

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3) Jimmy Carter

Jimmy Carter was sworn in as the 39th president of the United States on Jan. 20, 1977. However, his inaugural address was not the pick for the podcast series. Instead, they chose his famous “Crisis of Confidence” address to the nation that was televised on July 15, 1979.

Little by little we can and we must rebuild our confidence. We can spend until we empty our treasuries, and we may summon all the wonders of science. But we can succeed only if we tap our greatest resources — America’s people, America’s values, and America’s confidence. I have seen the strength of America in the inexhaustible resources of our people. In the days to come, let us renew that strength in the struggle for an energy secure nation.

4) George H.W. Bush

President George H.W. Bush’s inaugural address on Jan. 20, 1989, carried on his campaign’s promise for a “kinder, gentler” nation and also emphasized the need to tackle the federal budget deficit.

Some see leadership as high drama and the sound of trumpets calling, and sometimes it is that. But I see history as a book with many pages, and each day we fill a page with acts of hopefulness and meaning. The new breeze blows, a page turns, the story unfolds. And so, today a chapter begins, a small and stately story of unity, diversity, and generosity — shared, and written, together.

5) George W. Bush

President George W. Bush gave one of the most memorable speeches at the Islamic Center of Washington, D.C., on Sept. 17, 2001, six days after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a failed hijacking that resulting in a deadly crash in Pennsylvania.

In his speech, Bush stated “Islam is peace,” that the millions of Muslims in the U.S. are an “incredibly valuable contribution to our country,” and that American’s should treat each other with respect. In a time of crisis, Bush gave the speech to comfort the wounded country and bring the people together.

Jenna Bush, his daughter, recently shared the text of the speech  after President Trump issued his controversial travel ban.

“This is not the America I know…” just a reminder this am to teach acceptance and love to our kids for all races, all religions.. pic.twitter.com/32XohAGMv7 — Jenna Bush Hager (@JennaBushHager) January 31, 2017

6) Lyndon B. Johnson

President Lydon B. Johnson, or LBJ, was the 36th president of the United States. His speech on the Voting Rights Act before Congress on March 15, 1965, was one week after Bloody Sunday, where peaceful protestors were beaten in the famous walk from Selma, Alabama, to Montgomery. His speech stated there “is only an American problem” when it comes to segregation and racism, delivering notes of unity, stating all Americans have the right to vote.

This was the first nation in the history of the world to be founded with a purpose. The great phrases of that purpose still sound in every American heart, North and South: “All men are created equal”—”government by consent of the governed”—”give me liberty or give me death.” Well, those are not just clever words, or those are not just empty theories. In their name Americans have fought and died for two centuries, and tonight around the world they stand there as guardians of our liberty, risking their lives. Those words are a promise to every citizen that he shall share in the dignity of man. This dignity cannot be found in a man’s possessions; it cannot be found in his power, or in his position. It really rests on his right to be treated as a man equal in opportunity to all others. It says that he shall share in freedom, he shall choose his leaders, educate his children, and provide for his family according to his ability and his merits as a human being.

7) Gerald Ford

Gerald Ford was the 38th president of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977. His inaugural remarks speech on Aug. 9, 1974, was impactful in the way he addressed the nation as “a straight talk among friends.”

As we bind up the internal wounds of Watergate, more painful and more poisonous than those of foreign wars, let us restore the golden rule to our political process, and let brotherly love purge our hearts of suspicion and of hate.

8) Ronald Reagan

The 40th president of the United States, Ronald Reagan, made iconic remarks at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin on June 12, 1987.  Reagan addressed the leader of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, to open up the Berlin Wall in 1987 saying, “Tear down this wall! “Tear down this wall!”

9) Bill Clinton

The 42nd president of the United States, Bill Clinton, became the first Democrat to serve as president in more than a decade when he took the oath of office. Clinton delivered his inaugural address on Jan. 20, 1993, focusing on “American renewal.” Maya Angelou recited a poem, becoming the first poet at an inauguration address since Robert Frost spoke during John F. Kennedy’s address in 1961.

Today we do more than celebrate America. We rededicate ourselves to the very idea of America, an idea born in revolution and renewed through two centuries of challenge; an idea tempered by the knowledge that, but for fate, we, the fortunate, and the unfortunate might have been each other; an idea ennobled by the faith that our Nation can summon from its myriad diversity the deepest measure of unity; an idea infused with the conviction that America’s long, heroic journey must go forever upward.

10) Barack Obama

President Barack Obama made history as the first black president of the United States, and his first inaugural address on Jan.ry 20, 2009, recognized the financial crisis the nation was facing.

We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus — and nonbelievers. We are shaped by every language and culture, drawn from every end of this Earth; and because we have tasted the bitter swill of civil war and segregation, and emerged from that dark chapter stronger and more united, we cannot help but believe that the old hatreds shall someday pass; that the lines of tribe shall soon dissolve; that as the world grows smaller, our common humanity shall reveal itself; and that America must play its role in ushering in a new era of peace.

“Whether you like any one of those presidents or not, you can’t deny the fact that their words were sort of filled with hope and optimism, and some leadership,” said Thompson. “I think, you know, we felt like it was a good time to remember that this Presidents Day.”

Kristen Hubby is a tech and lifestyle reporter. Her writing focuses on sex, pop culture, streaming entertainment, and social media, with an emphasis on major platforms like Snapchat, YouTube, and Spotify. Her work has also appeared in Austin Monthly and the Austin American-Statesman, where she covered local news and the dining scene in Austin, Texas.

Famous speeches from every US president

Presidential speeches have been an invaluable part of U.S. democracy since Washington's inaugural address on April 30, 1789. While much of the oral tradition has remained unchanged, the evolution of mass communication has turned speeches into conversations. Using historical documents, government and political science websites, and news articles, Stacker curated a gallery of famous speeches from every U.S. president.

Whether presented as an inaugural address, a message to Congress, a State of the Union, or a response to a national event, presidential speeches are snapshots of the nation's values and challenges at a given point in time. They have been used to unite what seemed like an irrevocably divided country. They hold Americans accountable to the country's founding values and signal the adoption of new ones.

In the throes of crises, death, scandal, and disillusionment, presidents have had to find the right words to quell fears, assert changes, and heal morale. In peacetime and moments of relative prosperity, presidents have used speeches to celebrate or to galvanize the country behind a greater good, a call to action, or a reason for hope.

Each speech, especially in moments of tribulation, marks the evolution of America. They are important not just for what they communicate in the moment, but for what they communicate about that moment when viewed retroactively through the lens of history.  

Presidents throughout history have found new ways to communicate with the country. From the regular use of radio with Franklin D. Roosevelt's Fireside Chats to Kennedy's first live, unedited television broadcast  to constant and immediate communication enabled by social media, technology has shaped presidential correspondence with the nation.

It has also empowered Americans to gauge accuracy and transparency. Real-time fact-checking, whether by organizations like FactCheck.org or by individuals, is becoming synonymous with presidential rhetoric.

Read on to understand what these speeches were about and how they relate to particular moments in U.S. history.

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George Washington

- Speech name: Farewell address - Date delivered: Sept. 19, 1796

One of the greatest things Washington ever did for the office of the presidency was quit. By refusing to serve as president for a third term, Washington established a precedent for limiting executive power and signaled the value of the transition of power. Washington's farewell address , which was printed in papers, not delivered in person, cautioned against "pretended patriotism," political divisions, and permanent foreign alliances. Washington questioned whether his words would have an enduring impact, but it's easy to appreciate their timeless relevance even two centuries later.

- Speech name: Inaugural address - Date delivered: March 4, 1797

Second in a long line of inaugural addresses that praised the principles of the Constitution, Adams' speech also warns against losing perspective on the nation's hard-won liberties. Corruption, fraud, and terror are among the evils that threaten the Constitution and those who lead by it.

Thomas Jefferson

- Speech name: First inaugural address - Date delivered: March 4, 1801

In his first inaugural address , Jefferson presented his goals for the presidency and objectives for the nation. This included unifying Republicans and Federalists, establishing equal rights, and upholding the tenets of the Constitution.

James Madison

- Speech name: Special message to Congress on the foreign policy crisis—war message - Date delivered: June 1, 1812

In this message, Madison asks Congress to declare war against Great Britain, citing four justifications, including impressment, illegal blockades, the Orders in Council, and British responsibility for inciting warfare among Native Americans. The House of Representatives voted 79-49 in favor of war . While the British revoked the Orders in Council in an attempt to avoid war, word reached the United States too late. June 18 marked the beginning of the War of 1812.

James Monroe

- Speech name: Seventh annual message - Date delivered: Dec. 2, 1823

Layered into a routine annual message to Congress , Monroe outlined the philosophy and tenets for what would eventually be known as the Monroe Doctrine . This doctrine—named after Monroe but written by then-Secretary of State John Quincy Adams—established the United States as a sphere of influence in the Western Hemisphere and warned against European colonization in the New World. Monroe also asserted that any encroachment on the Western Hemisphere would be considered "dangerous to our peace and safety" and acted upon accordingly. Since this speech, the Monroe Doctrine has largely shaped U.S. foreign policy.

John Quincy Adams

- Speech name: Speech to the U.S. House of Representatives on Foreign Policy - Date delivered: July 4, 1821

John Quincy Adams' most referenced speech was actually delivered when he served as the secretary of state, not the U.S. president. He praised America's dedication to freedom and peace—not just her own, but of those around the world. "She goes not abroad, in search of monsters to destroy. She is the well-wisher to the freedom and independence of all." Considered to be, at best, ineffective and at worst, a failure, Adams' legacy is defined more so by his diplomatic success before and after his presidency—including his facilitation of America's expansion west to the Pacific, and his vocal opposition to slavery—than his time in office.

Andrew Jackson

- Speech name: Second annual message to Congress - Date delivered: Dec. 6, 1830

The United States was fervently embracing an attitude of territorial expansion when Andrew Jackson took office in 1829. A champion of the cultural shift toward frontier life, Jackson initiated the Indian Removal Act of 1830 , allowing the government to remove Native Americans, at times forcibly, from territories within state borders in exchange for unsettled land west of the Mississippi. Just several months after signing and enacting the Indian Removal Act, Jackson delivered his "Second Annual Message to Congress" in which he defends the policy, lauds its early success, and reinforces the belief that all parties involved stood to benefit from it.

Martin Van Buren

- Speech name: Inaugural address - Date delivered: March 4, 1837

Van Buren, the first president born an American citizen, used his inaugural address to assure the nation that he could represent and serve everyone. He talked about the country's growth over the last 50 years and celebrated unique success. He delineated the roles of state and federal government. He also vowed to maintain the status quo of slavery in the country, appealing to skeptical constituents in the South.

William Henry Harrison

- Speech name: Inaugural address - Date delivered: March 4, 1841

At just over two hours, William Henry Harrison's inaugural address—and the only speech he gave as president of the United States—is the longest in history. Harrison's presidential tenure, however, is the briefest in history, cut short when he died from pneumonia 31 days into his term. Invoking parallels to Roman emperors and immovable European monarchies, Harrison spoke of the dangers of the presidency and called for term limits to avoid corruption. The most prescient forewarning in Harrison's inaugural address, which was delivered 20 years before the start of the American Civil War, comments on the dangers of disunion among the states.

- Speech name: Address upon assuming the office of president of the United States - Date delivered: April 9, 1841

John Tyler became the first vice president to assume the office of the president after William Henry Harrison's death in 1841, establishing the precedent for presidential succession. Instead of an inaugural address, Tyler delivers a statement to Congress acknowledging the novelty of the situation and vows to uphold the ideal of his predecessor.

James K. Polk

- Speech name: Inaugural address - Date delivered: March 4, 1845

Polk's inaugural address aptly captures the spirit of the nation at that point in time, which was growing rapidly with an appetite for more. He celebrates the annexation of Texas and of the opportunities that Oregon will afford. Besides celebrating expansion, he also outlines his opposition to a national bank. Polk reestablished the Independent Treasury system, which remained in place until 1913.

Zachary Taylor

- Speech name: Inaugural address - Date delivered: March 5, 1849

Zachary Taylor died just 16 months into his term. Like his predecessors, Taylor expressed his gratitude to the country, his reverence for the office of the presidency, and his determination to uphold the values outlined in the Constitution.

Millard Fillmore

- Speech name: Message regarding compromise with Texas - Date delivered: Aug. 6, 1850

In this message to Congress , Fillmore expressed his support of the Compromise of 1850 . He recommended that Congress overturn the Wilmot Proviso, making Texas open to slavery. Fillmore also asked that Texas be paid to give up parts of New Mexico. Congress paid Texas $10 million for the territory.

Franklin Pierce

- Speech name: Message regarding disturbances in Kansas - Date delivered: Jan. 24, 1856

The Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1854 allowed citizens of Kansas and Nebraska, rather than the federal government, to decide whether to permit or prohibit slavery within the boundaries of those territories. As a result, pro-slavery and anti-slavery advocates fought to establish political dominance in the state. Clashes grew more violent, and in 1856, Pierce addressed Congress on the extent of the civil unrest.

James Buchanan

- Speech name: Message to Congress transmitting the constitution of Kansas - Date delivered: Feb. 2, 1858

James Buchanan is  widely regarded as one of the worst presidents of all time, in many cases earning the title of worst. His message to Congress regarding the recent elections in Kansas helps to illustrate why. It was well-known that voter fraud was rampant —in favor of pro-slavery factions—in the recent vote on whether Kansas should be a slave state. Despite knowing this, Buchanan supported the vote and the territory's new Constitution. He urged Congress to approve the controversial legislation, looking for the fastest way to make the conflict in Kansas disappear.

Abraham Lincoln

- Speech name: Gettysburg Address - Date delivered: Nov. 19, 1863

It's possible that no speech has done more with less. Lincoln's speech at Gettysburg is regarded as one of the most influential in American history, and he wasn't even the top-billed speaker that day. Edward Everett, a politician from Massachusetts, delivered the program's official two-hour Gettysburg address. But it was Lincoln's two-minute remarks , in which he spoke of the country's unique founding values of liberty and equality for all and the need to protect and unite the nation under those values, that have resonated throughout history.

Andrew Johnson

- Speech name: Veto message on civil rights legislation - Date delivered: March 27, 1866

In the wake of the Civil War, Congress proposed the Civil Rights Act to provide newly freed slaves with federal citizenship and expand the impact of the pre-existing Freedmen's Bureau . Johnson vetoed the legislation reasoning in his message to Congress that it operated "in favor of the colored and against the white race." Johnson's veto message challenged the whole necessity of citizenship for newly freed slaves and even questioned if they were worthy of that privilege. Congress overrode Johnson's veto on April 9, 1866, enacting legislation that would take over 100 years fully actualize.

Ulysses S. Grant

- Speech name: Announcement of Fifteenth Amendment ratification - Date delivered: March 30, 1870

In this speech, Grant announced the ratification of the Fifteenth Amendment , which established universal black male suffrage. Grant called the 15th Amendment the greatest civil change and most important event since the birth of the nation. He warned those privileged citizens who have long enjoyed the country's freedoms and the right to express their opinions through voting not to stand in the way of the newly enfranchised. Grant also referenced Washington's belief that a successful government can only be sustained by an enlightened populace. Grant challenged everyone "to see to it that all who possess and exercise political rights shall have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge which will make their share in the Government a blessing and not a danger."

Rutherford B. Hayes

- Speech name: Prohibition of federal employees' political involvement - Date delivered: June 22, 1877

In 1877, to stifle corruption and dismantle the spoils system, Hayes issued an executive order barring federal employees from involvement in political activities such as the management of political organizations, campaigns, conventions, or caucuses. Additionally, those in office could not be removed for political reasons. The order marked a significant moment for civil service reform and laid the groundwork for the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act of 1883.

James A. Garfield

- Speech name: Inaugural address - Date delivered: March 4, 1881

Garfield was shot four months into his term by Charles J. Guiteau. Guiteau sought to exact retribution against the president for not being appointed a consulship in Europe. Succumbing to his wounds two months later, after a total of just six months in office, Garfield's most memorable speech is his inaugural address . Garfield celebrated the rights of African Americans now written into the Constitution but rebuked persistent attempts being made in parts of the country to prevent them from exercising these rights. "Freedom can never yield its fullness of blessings," Garfield stated, "so long as the law or its administration places the smallest obstacle in the pathway of any virtuous citizen."

Chester A. Arthur

- Speech name: Veto of the Chinese Exclusion Act - Date delivered: April 4, 1882

The Chinese Exclusion Act was the first prohibitive immigration law passed in the United States. Laborers on the West Coast blamed Chinese immigrant workers for their economic hardships even though they comprised less than 1% of the population . The Chinese Exclusion Act initially proposed to suspend Chinese immigration for 20 years. To the dismay of American laborers, Arthur vetoed the first bill , concerned that 20 years was too long and could prove to be permanently damaging to trade relations with China. Arthur eventually signed a bill that suspended immigration for 10 years and denied citizenship for current Chinese residents.

Grover Cleveland

- Speech name: Message regarding U.S. labor force - Date delivered: April 22, 1886

Cleveland asserted that laborers were an indispensable part of the country's strength and prosperity. In considering their contributions to the growth of the U.S., Cleveland proposed the creation of a government committee that would operate under the Bureau of Labor to resolve disputes between labor and capital. Cleveland stated that a laborer's demands "should be met in such a spirit of appreciation and fairness as to induce a contented and patriotic cooperation in the achievement of a grand national destiny."

Benjamin Harrison

- Speech name: Message regarding Valparaiso incident - Date delivered: Jan. 25, 1892

During a period of escalating tension between the United States and Chile, beginning with the Itata incident and reaching its peak with the Valparaiso incident , both countries were inching closer to waging war. Harrison sent a special message to Congress , urging them to take "appropriate actions" against Chile, expressing support for war and severing diplomatic relations. War was averted after Chile agreed to terms of a U.S. ultimatum.

- Speech name: Message regarding Venezuelan-British dispute - Date delivered: Dec. 17, 1895

The United States got involved in an ongoing boundary dispute between Venezuela and Britain during Cleveland's second presidential term. Venezuela appealed to the U.S. to intervene in the territorial dispute for nearly two decades before Cleveland made his appeal to Congress regarding the matter. In this message , he invoked the Monroe Doctrine as justification for involvement, specifically to create a commission that would assess and enforce their findings "by every means." The U.S. established itself internationally as a power in the Western Hemisphere, willing to use the Monroe Doctrine to preserve that status.

William McKinley

- Speech name: Speech in Buffalo, New York - Date delivered: Sept. 5, 1901

On Sept. 5, 1901, six months into his second term, McKinley spoke at the Pan American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. His remarks , shaped by his first term spent navigating foreign policy and fighting the Spanish American War, focus on progress in business, avoidance of war, and building goodwill internationally. "The period of exclusiveness is past. The expansion of our trade and commerce is the pressing problem." McKinley was shot the next day and died from his wounds eight days later.

Theodore Roosevelt

- Speech name: Message regarding meatpacking plants - Date delivered: June 4, 1906

Many experts regard Theodore Roosevelt as one of the greatest presidents in U.S. history . Among his many enduring accomplishments, his advocacy for consumer protection endures. In 1906, after revelations of the dangerous and unsanitary conditions of stockyards and meatpacking plants , Roosevelt addressed Congress , calling for immediate legislation to regulate the industry. Later that month, Roosevelt signed the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act, which required transparent product labeling and federal inspection of all plants engaged in interstate commerce.

William H. Taft

- Speech name: Message regarding income tax - Date delivered: June 16, 1909

In this speech , Taft proposed two tax-related pieces of legislation. First, that Congress ratify the Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution, permitting the collection of personal federal income tax. This was viewed by supporters as a better way to generate income instead of relying heavily on tariffs. Second, that all corporations, except banks, pay a 2% tax on net income.

Woodrow Wilson

- Speech name: Wilson's Fourteen Points - Date delivered: Jan. 8, 1918

Wilson's famous "Fourteen Points" outlined his plan for peace to end World War I, albeit in broad terms. Recognizing that America's prosperity would come to rely more substantially on international relations, Wilson's "Fourteen Points" served as a framework for ensuring international cooperation. He believed his most important point was the development of a League of Nations —a governing body of united nations tasked with mitigating war by solving disputes between countries. The United Nations replaced the League of Nations at the end of World War II.

Warren G. Harding

- Speech name: Opening speech of the Conference on the Limitation of Armament - Date delivered: Nov. 12, 1921

In 1921, building on pursuing peace in the wake of World War I, Harding convened a disarmament conference in Washington. In attendance were military powers, including Belgium, China, Great Britain, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Portugal, and Japan. In his opening remarks, Harding asked the group to collectively commit to peacetime and quell the fears of the post-war world with a reduction in firepower. The results were several disarmament treaties signed by those world powers present that day.

Calvin Coolidge

- Speech name: First annual message - Date delivered: Dec. 6, 1923

Coolidge's first annual message was the first speech to be broadcast via radio to the entire nation, making advantageous use of the medium's rapidly growing popularity. It is estimated that 2.5 million radios existed in the U.S. at that time , while a mere 5,000 existed just three years prior. Coolidge paid homage to his predecessor William G. Harding who died in office six months earlier, expressed his support of prohibition and pushed for continued restrictions on immigration.

Herbert Hoover

- Speech name: Message regarding the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act - Date delivered: June 16, 1930

A year into the Great Depression, against the advice of economists, Hoover signed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which raised tariffs in an attempt to generate revenue for the federal government. In his message to Congress , Hoover states that no tariff bill is or will ever be perfect, but this particular one is necessary to combat the economic crisis gripping the nation. As economists had warned, trade partners retaliated by raising their own tariffs, halting international trade, and driving the U.S. into an even deeper economic depression.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

- Speech name: Fireside Chat 1: On the Banking Crisis - Date delivered: March 12, 1933

Roosevelt's presidency spanned an unprecedented three terms (and election to a fourth he did not live to to see the end of). In those 12 years, he gave many influential speeches that shaped the nation and the world. His inaugural address is well-known for his affirmation that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Just as familiar is his designation of Dec. 8, 1941, as "a day that will live in infamy." But perhaps most notable is FDR's first Fireside Chat . Speaking directly to the American public at one of the lowest points in the nation's history, FDR used the power of mass communication to calm fears, explain politics, inform, update, and uplift. It was a novel way of leading the country, and Roosevelt hosted 30 fireside chats in total.

Harry S. Truman

- Speech name: Statement by the president announcing the use of the A-bomb at Hiroshima - Date delivered: Aug. 6, 1945

Sixteen hours after the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, Truman addressed the nation , explaining its unprecedented power and the need to keep the technology behind this new weapon secret. "The Japanese began the war from the air at Pearl Harbor. They have been repaid many fold. And the end is not yet," Truman warned. Three days later, a second atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki.

Dwight D. Eisenhower

- Speech name: Chance for Peace - Date delivered: April 16, 1953

Following the death of Joseph Stalin, Eisenhower delivered his "Chance for Peace'' speech, also referred to as the "Cross of Iron" speech. Eisenhower spoke of the dangers of an arms race with the Soviet Union, stating "every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed... under the cloud of threatening war, it is humanity hanging from a cross of iron."

John F. Kennedy

- Speech name: Address on the space effort - Date delivered: Sept. 12, 1962

Seventeen months after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space, Kennedy outlined a plan to put a man on the moon . He galvanized the country with a desire for greatness, the likes of which the world had never seen. He reminded everyone that Americans do things like go to the moon, "not because they are easy, but because they are hard." It is those hard things, Kennedy attested, that the entrepreneurial spirit of America was best suited to achieve.

Lyndon B. Johnson

- Speech name: Speech before Congress on voting rights - Date delivered: March 15, 1965

In the wake of violence against civil rights protesters in Selma, Alabama, Johnson addressed Congress requesting their help to pass voting legislation that would allow all citizens to register and cast a vote free from harassment and discrimination. Johnson expressed that pervasive discrimination and constitutional infringements were not a regional problem, but a problem the whole country shared responsibility in correcting. "It is wrong—deadly wrong—to deny any of your fellow Americans the right to vote in this country. There is no issue of states' rights or national rights. There is only the struggle for human rights," Johnson urged.

Richard M. Nixon

- Speech name: Address to the nation announcing decision to resign the office of president - Date delivered: Aug. 8, 1974

Less than a month after the House Judiciary Committee voted for three articles of impeachment,  Nixon announced his resignation  on national television. "I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is abhorrent to every instinct in my body." Nixon stated. "But as President, I must put the interests of America first." It was the first time in U.S. history that a president resigned, affirming that no person was above the law.

Gerald R. Ford

- Speech name: Remarks in Helsinki - Date delivered: Aug. 1, 1975

Ford signed the controversial Helsinki Accords on Aug. 1, 1975. Among other things, the accords were a vehicle by which the U.S. and the Soviet Union could further pursue détente . In his remarks that day , Ford spoke about U.S. commitment to human rights, fundamental freedoms, and restoring diplomacy. "If the Soviet Union and the United States can reach agreement so that our astronauts can fit together the most intricate scientific equipment, work together, and shake hands 137 miles out in space, we as statesmen have an obligation to do as well on Earth."

Jimmy Carter

- Speech name: Crisis of Confidence - Date delivered: July 15, 1979

In the midst of the  energy crisis , America, Carter believed, was also suffering from a crisis of confidence. The country's trust in the government was eroded. Belief in the American way of life wavered. Faith that the future would be better than the present waned. Carter reminded Americans over a television broadcast of his "Crisis of Confidence" speech that this was the country that put a man on the moon and fought for civil rights. He assured the nation that overcoming the energy crisis would be another milestone in a long history of American resilience.

Ronald Reagan

- Speech name: Address on the Space Shuttle Challenger - Date delivered: Jan. 28, 1986

At times, presidents throughout history needed to play the role of spiritual advisor. While some called upon their own religious beliefs to offer words of healing, at the core of these messages was a universal, human connection and expression of compassion. The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster was one such moment for Reagan . He commended on the bravery of the crew, noting that their lives and ultimately their sacrifices, which would never be forgotten, were part of a sacred tradition of pioneering and exploration. Reagan also spoke directly to the children of the country, reminding them to have courage and understand that Americans bear great risks in pursuit of greater rewards.

George H. W. Bush

- Speech name: Address to the nation on the invasion of Iraq - Date delivered: Jan. 16, 1991

After five months of failed negotiations with Saddam Hussein and following Iraq's invasion of neighboring Kuwait, Bush announced the aerial invasion of Iraq . His goals were outlined clearly: restore peace to Kuwait upon ousting Hussein and his forces and ensure Iraq's compliance with U.N. resolutions. This marked the beginning of the Persian Gulf War that would last 42 days but impact relations in the region for decades to come .

Bill Clinton

- Speech name: State of the Union Address - Date delivered: Jan. 27, 1998

What makes Clinton's 1998 State of the Union Address impressive is that it came just one day after his response to allegations about his sexual misconduct with then-intern Monica Lewinsky. On the heels of the infamous "I did not have sexual relations with that woman," Clinton showcased his persuasive speaking skills and delivered a thoughtful, focused State of the Union on preparing the country for prosperity in the 21st century.

George W. Bush

- Speech name: Address on the U.S. response to the attacks of Sept. 11 - Date delivered: Sept. 22, 2001

Bush addressed the nation after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001—the deadliest terror attack on U.S. soil. His message focused on helping and healing and invoked sentiments of the enduring strength of the country. Eleven days later, Bush addressed Congress proposing the War on Terror to defeat Al Qaeda and defend the American way of life: "These measures are essential. But the only way to defeat terrorism as a threat to our way of life is to stop it, eliminate it, and destroy it where it grows."

Barack Obama

- Speech name: Remarks at the 50th anniversary of the Selma marches - Date delivered: March 7, 2015

From announcing the death of Osama Bin Laden to honoring the victims of the Sandy Hook shooting, Obama's legacy is largely defined by the poignant speeches he delivered. Historian Douglas Brinkley said of Obama : "I don't know of any president who has put that kind of work into his speeches." Experts rank his remarks at the 50th Anniversary of the Selma march among the most influential speeches of his presidency. He asserted that one of the greatest forms of patriotism, as demonstrated at Selma 50 years earlier, is to believe that America can always evolve and to hold it to newer, higher standards.

Donald J. Trump

- Speech name: Speech Urging Supporters to Go Home - Date delivered: January 6, 2021

Before Congress certified Joe Biden as the next president of the United States and the rightful winner of the 2020 election, Donald Trump spoke to his followers at a "Save America" rally to present evidence of how the election was "stolen." "We will never concede; it doesn't happen. You don't concede when there's theft involved," he said. In the hour-long speech laden with violent, combative rhetoric, Trump made a single early reference to peaceful protestation. He concluded the rally by encouraging his supporters to "fight like hell" and to march down Pennsylvania Avenue. Hours later, thousands of insurrectionists stormed and breached the U.S. Capitol building. Instead of admonishing the mob's actions, Trump's speech urging his supporters to leave struck an empathetic tone; he told them he loved them and thought they were very special. In this speech lasting just under a minute, Trump again reiterated his belief that the election was fraudulent. 

- Speech name: Remarks on the Continued Battle for the Soul of the Nation - Date delivered: September 1, 2022

This speech, delivered two months before the 2022 midterm elections, was Biden's appeal to the American public to uphold the core tenets of democracy—what he describes as the soul of the nation . In a rare bit of presidential rhetoric, Biden explicitly names a group of American citizens—Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans—as a direct threat to democracy. This plea to not only preserve but win the battle for America's soul came at a time when more than 70% of Republicans believed Biden did not legitimately win the 2020 presidential election. Throughout the speech, Biden repeatedly refers to political violence—an ever-present threat amid the political climate of his first term. These mentions are references to the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol building and a warning against future politically motivated violence instigated by extremists, which experts say is on the rise.

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Listen to Some of the Most Famous Presidential Speeches From History

By shaunacy ferro | dec 29, 2023, 5:27 pm est.

Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address is one of the most notable presidential addresses in history, but that doesn’t mean other U.S. presidents haven’t had their fair share of memorable speeches . The podcast platform Acast gathered up one such speech from each president since John F. Kennedy through Barack Obama, collecting audio from some of the most important addresses of the last 50 years.

The first speech— JFK’s inaugural address —is only 14 minutes long. Even if you’ve never tuned into the whole thing, you’ve probably heard one snippet of it repeated often. The speech contains the famous quote, “My fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.”

Most recordings in the collection are inaugural addresses, but a few notable speeches midway through presidents’ tenures made the cut, like the voting rights speech Lyndon B. Johnson delivered to Congress in 1965 and Jimmy Carter’s 1979 “Crisis of Confidence” speech.

In Johnson’s speech , he urged Congress to create the Voting Rights Act of 1965. That act, which became effective on August 6 of that same year, guaranteed racial minorities the right to vote and put an end to southern states’ discriminatory voting practices. According to the National Archives , “The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was the most significant statutory change in the relationship between the federal and state governments in the area of voting since the Reconstruction period following the Civil War.”

Carter’s speech—famously also known as his “Malaise” speech , even though that word itself isn’t in his address—addressed the nation’s low morale after the 1970s energy crisis and ensuing recession. Before giving the speech, Carter had retreated to Camp David, where he sought advice from a whole spectrum of people. His address earned him a brief popularity boost.

Take a listen to some of the things our past leaders have had to say to the country. All 10 can be found here . And if that’s too modern, there are some audio files available of presidential speeches from the early 20th century here .

A version of this story originally ran in 2017; it has been updated for 2024.

Presidential Speeches

Pivotal speeches that defined a Presidency

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Presidents' Day: Some of the greatest speeches given by U.S. presidents

Today is Presidents' Day.

Here are some of the greatest speeches given by past U.S. presidents:

Abraham Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" in 1863:

"Four Score and Seven Years Ago" was an unforgettable line in this speech at a Civil War battlefield. At 271 words, it was concise and inspiring.

Theodore Roosevelt's "The Man in the Arena" in 1910:

Roosevelt, giving a speech in France, spoke out against those looking down on others who are trying to make the world a better place. Parts of the speech have been quoted by Richard Nixon, used in the 1995 World Cup, and tattooed on Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth.

John F. Kennedy's inaugural speech in 1961:

Kennedy used his first speech as president to encourage Americans to take part in public service.

"Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country" was a memorable line.

Ronald Reagan's "Berlin Wall" speech in 1987:

The president had questioned why the wall was there throughout his term and his speech helped spark protests which to the wall being torn down in 1989.

"Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall" was a memorable line.

Franklin D. Roosevelt's "Pearl Harbor Address" in 1941:

Franklin D. Roosevelt gave an important message to the country on the day after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, which led to the United States entering World War II.

"Yesterday, Dec. 7th, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan" was a memorable line.

George W. Bush's address to the nation after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks:

The president looked to lift up the country after terrorists attacked New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania in the morning.

"Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness and a quiet, unyielding anger," he said.

Barack Obama's "A More Perfect Union" speech in 2008:

Obama addressed controversial remarks made by Jeremiah Wright, his former pastor, at a campaign speech.

"But the remarks that have caused this recent firestorm weren't simply controversial. They weren't simply a religious leader's effort to speak out against perceived injustice. Instead, they expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country — a view that sees white racism as endemic, and that elevates what is wrong with America above all that we know is right with America," he said.

These are just some of the greatest speeches in U.S. presidential history. 

Reach Benjamin Duer at 330-580-8667 or [email protected]

On Twitter @bduerREP

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14 best presidential speeches in history.

• Post author: Oleksandra Mamchii
• Post published: October 23, 2023
• Post category: Blog / History
• Post comments: 0 Comments

Words have value. Therefore, one of the main indicators of a strong leader is their capacity to persuade others of their goals and ideas, inspire them, and direct them toward a shared objective.

Here are some illustrious presidential quotes from the past, ranging from Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” to Ronald Reagan’s “Tear Down This Wall” and Emmanuel Macron’s 2018 speech at the US Congress.

Presidents throughout history have influenced the populace and the country through their words. There have only been a few occasions when the words said by the presidents over the previous 200 years have been exploited to their full potential.

Also Read: List of Presidents of the United States: Washington to Biden

1) Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 “Gettysburg Address”

Following the Battle of Gettysburg, President Abraham Lincoln delivered a two-minute address at a cemetery dedication for the Union War on November 19, 1983. Lincoln delivered a brief speech on the “New Birth of Freedom” and wasn’t even the event’s keynote speaker, but it has since grown to be considered one of the most powerful and unforgettable in American history.

“Four hundred and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth, on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal,” Lincoln said, in part.

2) Franklin D. Roosevelt’s ‘Day Of Infamy’ Speech In 1941

The day after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and precipitated the United States’ entry into World War II, on December 8, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered a well-known speech to a joint session of Congress. The opening sentence is frequently the one that is most frequently quoted, “Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.”

3) John F. Kennedy’s 1961 Inauguration Address

In 1961, during his first 14-minute address as commander in chief, President John F. Kennedy used the memorable phrase “My fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country” to motivate both children and adults to engage in volunteer work and civic engagement. The group Kennedy addressed was what he described as “a new generation of Americans—born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage.”

4) John F. Kennedy’s Space Effort Address

Kennedy said, “We chose to undertake the other things in this decade, not because they are simple, but because they are difficult…  Prior generations ensured that our nation saw the first waves of the Industrial Revolution, the first waves of modern invention, and the first waves of nuclear power. And this generation does not plan to flounder in the wake of the new space age; rather, we aspire to participate in it and lead it.”

We were in a new era of technology and space exploration, which is why it was significant. Americans were given the impression by President Kennedy that there was nothing they couldn’t accomplish or a difficulty they couldn’t overcome. Before Vietnam, Watergate, the passing of our heroes like Jack and Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr., and before any of these events, there was a time when they all believed that, if they worked together, they could achieve their loftiest aspirations.

5) The “We Shall Overcome” Speech By Lyndon B. Johnson In 1965

Civil rights activist John Lewis and more than 500 marchers were assaulted on March 7, 1965, a day that came to be known as “Bloody Sunday,” as they prepared to march from Selma to Montgomery to register African Americans to vote. Eight days later, President Lyndon B. Johnson spoke before a joint session of Congress to call for the adoption of legislation that would ensure everyone’s access to the polls.

Johnson said that “every American citizen must have an equal right to vote” and that “what happened in Selma is part of a far larger movement that reaches into every section and state of America,” while borrowing the slogan “We Shall Overcome” from black leaders battling for equal rights. On August 6, 1965, Johnson subsequently signed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 into law.

6) The 1987 “Tear Down This Wall” Address By Ronald Reagan

In 1987, President Ronald Reagan visited Berlin, Germany, to mark the city’s 750th anniversary. At the time, the Berlin Wall had been severing the city in half for almost 26 years, acting as both a physical barrier and a powerful symbol of the divide between the communist Soviet bloc and the democratic capitalist bloc. The most well-known words of Reagan’s presidency are perhaps those he spoke when standing barely 100 yards from the barrier during a speech: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”

7) George W. Bush’s Speech Following The 9/11 Terrorist Attacks

On the morning of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, President George W. Bush was in Florida visiting an elementary school. He ultimately took Air Force One back to Washington, D.C., determined to get back to the White House, and delivered a detailed prime-time speech from the Oval Office to a terrified nation.

“Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, and our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts,” Bush stated. “Evil, disgusting acts of terror abruptly terminated thousands of lives. We were shocked by the images of aircraft crashing into buildings, fires raging, and enormous structures falling. We also felt deep grief and a calm, uncompromising rage. The purpose of these mass murders was to send our country into an uproar and cause it to flee. However, they fell short because our nation is robust,” he added.

8) Dwight Eisenhower’s ‘Atoms For Peace’ Address To The United Nations

Eisenhower said, “I feel compelled to talk in a vocabulary that is, in a way, fresh today. One that I would have hoped to never use, having spent so much of my life in the military. The language of nuclear conflict is that new language. The United States wants to project more than just might against the ominous backdrop of the atomic bomb; it also wants to convey a desire and hope for peace. The United States commits before you, and hence before the rest of the world, that it will do everything in its power to assist in resolving the terrifying nuclear problem.”

Despite his belief in the political potency of nuclear weapons, Eisenhower discusses their perils in this address. He stresses the need to stop the spread of nuclear weapons and suggests that the US and the USSR work together to shrink their nuclear arsenals. Remember that in 1953, there were only 1,300 nuclear weapons worldwide, but there are now more than seven times as many.

9) Ronald Reagan’s Remarks at D-Day’s 40th Anniversary Ceremony

Reagan said, “The rangers glanced up and saw the enemy soldiers at the edge of the cliffs firing down at them and hurling grenades, and the American rangers started to ascend. They launched rope ladders over the cliff’s face and started to haul themselves up. A replacement ranger would step in after one fell. A ranger would grab another rope after cutting the first one, then start climbing once more. They ascended, fired back, and maintained their balance. The rangers eventually pushed themselves over the top one by one, and by taking control of the hard soil at the top of these cliffs, they started to retake control of Europe. You all understood that certain things are worth dying for (for veterans). A person should die for their nation, and democracy is the most morally upright form of governance that has ever been created.”

Reiterating his call for the West to “renew our commitment to each other, to our freedom, and to the alliance that protects it” at the conclusion of that speech, President Reagan told our Allies that “we were with you then, and we are with you now,” which helped to forge the alliance that would ultimately defeat the Soviet Union and bring an end to the Cold War. In many respects, the “boys of Pointe du Hoc” rescued the world more than once.

10) Ronald Reagan’s Speech On The Challenger Space Shuttle Disaster

Reagan said, “The bold, not the weak-hearted, will inherit the future. We were being pulled into the future by the Challenger crew, and we’ll keep doing that. By the way they lived their lives, the Challenger crew of the space shuttle honored us. As they said farewell and got ready for their journey this morning, slipping the shackles of Earth to meet the face of God, we will never forget them or the last time we saw them.”

We frequently consider presidents to be partisan leaders in the current climate of political polarization. The president’s position as “comforter in chief” is nonetheless one of his or her most significant duties. The best presidents are characterized by their capacity to put politics aside in times of sorrow in order to soothe a nation and remind us that, in the end, we are all Americans, whatever our differences.

11) Barack Obama’s ‘A More Perfect Union’ Speech

Obama said, “I have never been so naive to imagine that we can move past our racial differences on a single election cycle or with a single candidate, particularly a candidacy as flawed as mine, contrary to the contention of some of my detractors, black and white. However, I have made it clear that I really believe that through working together, we can heal some of our old racial scars and that there is really no other option—a belief steeped in my trust in God and my confidence in the American people. If we want to keep moving toward a more ideal marriage, we have no choice but to. America can change, as we have seen and know. That is the real brilliance of our country. We have the boldness to aspire for what we can and must do tomorrow because of what we have already accomplished.”

Why It Was Important: According to conventional thinking, speaking about race is not advised. But Obama embraced the challenge rather than avoiding it. Being uniquely positioned to do so, he invited listeners to places many have never been—a predominantly black church, an awkward conversation with a beloved relative of a different race, the kitchen tables of white Americans who feel resentful and left behind—and he recounted Americans’ frequently differing perspectives.

In order to understand the current structural injustices experienced by African Americans and other people of color, he encouraged us to be open and honest about our past. Obama thought that most Americans were prepared to hear the truth and make a decision, to get over the racial impasse, face our difficulties, and respond appropriately. He was direct, honest, and nuanced in his approach.

12) The Farewell Address Of George Washington

This address was actually a letter that was printed and reproduced in national newspapers. Many of the points made by Washington were noteworthy. Even though many people at the time wanted the Big Man to hold the position for the rest of his life, he first declared that he would not run for a third term. It was a magnificent act of humility and wisdom that put an end to any remaining notions of American monarchy and established a genuinely republican atmosphere for the country.

Washington also forewarned against the emergence of factions, or what we euphemistically refer to as political parties today, as well as engaging in a number of other unsavory activities that his successors nevertheless engaged in. However, the speech demonstrated why George Washington is still regarded as our greatest president.

13) Abraham Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Address

Lincoln was a skilled raconteur and public speaker. He could tell a joke or tale quickly, and he was also a fantastic speaker. Lincoln frequently kept his remarks brief and to the point, which is uncommon and appreciated among politicians. In that sense, his second inaugural address, which he gave only a few weeks before being assassinated, was typical, but it also showed the strength of his leadership in the way he tried to chart a route for a post-Civil War America.

By the time Lincoln delivered this address, the outcome of the war was all but certain, and he was already considering the difficult, protracted road that lay ahead for the country as a whole to recover from its wounds.

“Let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and orphan, to do all that may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations,” the Apostle Paul said. “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right,

“Let us strive on to finish the work we are in to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all that may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations,” the Declaration of Independence reads. “With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right,”

14) French President Emmanuel Macron’s 2018 Speech at US Congress

On April 25, 2018, French President Emmanuel Macron spoke in front of the US Congress. Macron emphasized the strong historical bonds between France and the US that are founded on a commitment to equality, tolerance, and freedom. 

Regarding current global issues, including terrorism, nuclear proliferation, and climate change, Macron voiced worry. He argued in favor of a robust global strategy to deal with these problems and emphasized the significance of upholding democracy and battling false news. 

He urged for the transition to a low-carbon economy and emphasized the need to preserve the environment for future generations. In particular, in the Sahel area, Macron lauded the cooperation between French and American forces in fending off shared dangers.

Macron continued by reiterating the strength of the bond between France and the United States and his belief in their capacity to work together to overcome obstacles.

Also Read: Top 5 Reasons Why USA is Still in Syria

In conclusion, the greatest presidential addresses in history have transcended the constraints of their eras to stand as timeless examples of the hopes, resiliency, and values of the country. These speeches have had a profound impact on the American spirit, from the somber reflections of Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War to the visionary appeals for exploration and unity made by John F. Kennedy, and from the passionate resolve of Franklin D. Roosevelt in the face of adversity to the unwavering dedication of Lyndon B. Johnson to civil rights.

These speeches also serve as examples of the value of leadership during times of crisis and transformation. They serve as a reminder that the proper words, when said with passion and empathy, have the power to mend broken hearts, spark hope, and unite a nation to face its toughest obstacles.

As we think back on these inspiring speeches, we are reminded that a country’s path is characterized not only by its landmarks but also by the knowledge and inspiration that its leaders have shared. We discover the tenacity, bravery, and lasting spirit that characterize the American experience in these verbally preserved events. These speeches act as lighthouses, pointing the path toward a more equitable and prosperous future while asking us to embrace the principles that have created the country and guided us through the difficulties of history.   

What Famous Speeches Altered the Course of History?

In addition to many others, notable speeches include Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s “Only thing we have to fear is fear itself” (1933), Winston Churchill’s “Blood, Sweat, and Tears” (1940), Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” (1963), Harvey Milk’s “Hope Speech” (1978), Margaret Thatcher’s “The Lady’s Not for Turning” (1980), and Nelson Mandela’s upon his release from prison in 1990.

Which Eminent Speeches Still Hold True Today?

We are still motivated by those remarks today. Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address and Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” address both continue to have an impact on people today. Less well-known talks like Nora Ephron’s graduation speech and Hillary Clinton’s “Human Rights Are Women’s Rights” are seen as motivational.

Which Speech In History Has Garnered The Most Notoriety?

One of the greatest speeches in human history is the “I Have a Dream” address given by the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., on August 28, 1963.

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7 of FDR’s Most Inspiring Speeches

By: Rodney A. Brooks

Updated: March 12, 2024 | Original: May 3, 2023

Franklin D. Roosevelt stands as one of America’s most masterful presidential orators. His inspiring speeches and intimate “fireside chats” helped lead the nation through one of its most turbulent eras.

Over the course of an unprecedented four terms in office, from 1933 to 1945, Roosevelt not only created policies to steer the nation through multiple crises, including the Great Depression , the surprise attack on U.S. soil at Pearl Harbor and World War II . He also served as a master communicator—to calm Americans’ fears and rally them around his policies.

He employed the new medium of radio to deliver his voice directly into living rooms across the country in some 30 “ fireside chats .” Roosevelt spoke plainly and convincingly, channeling a rare combination of patrician competence and affable warmth that gave Americans much-needed hope in a bleak time. He often chose words to draw his audience into a sense of collective striving and higher moral purpose.

“He could explain complicated policy with clarity and precision [and] entertain and enlighten audiences with stories that ranged from the poignant to the humorous...” writes Mary E. Stuckey, professor of communication at Georgia State University. “His rhetoric soars with eloquence, educates with charm and evokes the everyday concerns of U.S. citizens with palpable grace. His political speech…crafted a political coalition of unmatched durability and constituted a communal sense of national self.”

Here are quotes from some of FDR’s most powerful speeches during his 12 years as president.

1. Accepting the Democratic Presidential Nomination and Promising ‘A New Deal’

July 2, 1932.

In 1932, the U.S. held its first presidential election during the Great Depression. With unemployment soaring and a fast-growing number of American families unable to meet basic needs for housing and food, Roosevelt promised to marshal the federal government’s resources to reinvigorate the economy, provide jobs and relieve hardship. This “ New Deal ” platform helped him defeat incumbent Herbert Hoover in a landslide, 57.4 percent to 39.6 percent.

“What do the people of America want more than anything else? To my mind, they want two things: work, with all the moral and spiritual values that go with it; and with work, a reasonable measure of security—security for themselves and for their wives and children. Work and security—these are more than words. They are more than facts. They are the spiritual values, the true goal toward which our efforts of reconstruction should lead… 

Throughout the Nation, men and women, forgotten in the political philosophy of the Government of the last years, look to us here for guidance and for more equitable opportunity to share in the distribution of national wealth.

On the farms, in the large metropolitan areas, in the smaller cities and in the villages, millions of our citizens cherish the hope that their old standards of living…have not gone forever. Those millions cannot and shall not hope in vain.

I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people. Let us all here assembled constitute ourselves prophets of a new order of competence and of courage. This is more than a political campaign; it is a call to arms. Give me your help, not to win votes alone, but to win in this crusade to restore America to its own people.”

2. First Inaugural Address : 'The Only Thing We Have to Fear...'

March 4, 1933.

Roosevelt assumed office on March 4, 1933, three years into the Great Depression. His first inaugural address showed FDR’s instinctive understanding of crisis leadership. His iconic phrase “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself” offered Americans much-needed hope, conveying that it’s possible to move forward out of economic paralysis and that citizens' collective efforts would be crucial to achieving “victory.”

“So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.”

3. First Fireside Chat: Calming Fears Over the Banking Crisis

March 12, 1933.

In the first week of his presidency, Roosevelt declared a four-day bank holiday to stop the panic run on banks that could have been catastrophic for the economy. To restore Americans’ confidence that the ailing system would not collapse, he used his first-ever fireside address to appeal to Americans to do their part—by trusting in the system and refraining from withdrawing their money.

“It is possible that when the banks resume a very few people who have not recovered from their fear may again begin withdrawals. Let me make it clear to you that the banks will take care of all needs except of course the hysterical demands of hoarders—and it is my belief that hoarding during the past week has become an exceedingly unfashionable pastime in every part of our nation.

It needs no prophet to tell you that when the people find that they can get their money—that they can get it when they want it for all legitimate purposes—the phantom of fear will soon be laid. People will again be glad to have their money where it will be safely taken care of and where they can use it conveniently at any time. I can assure you, my friends, that it is safer to keep your money in a reopened bank than it is to keep it under a mattress.”

4. Speech to Congress Promoting Social Security

January 17, 1935.

Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act into law on Aug. 14, 1935. "If any piece of social legislation can be called historic or revolutionary, in breaking with the past and in terms of long run impact, it is the Social Security Act," said Wilbur J. Cohen, one of the architects of the 1935 Social Security bill as well as of the 1965 Medicare law.

“In addressing you on June eighth, 1934, I summarized the main objectives of our American program. Among these was, and is, the security of the men, women, and children of the Nation against certain hazards and vicissitudes of life. This purpose is an essential part of our task. 

In the important field of security for our old people, it seems necessary to adopt three principles: First, non-contributory old-age pensions for those who are now too old to build up their own insurance. It is, of course, clear that for perhaps 30 years to come funds will have to be provided by the States and the Federal Government to meet these pensions.

Second, compulsory contributory annuities which in time will establish a self-supporting system for those now you and for future generations.

Third, voluntary contributory annuities by which individual initiative can increase the annual amounts received in old age. It is proposed that the Federal Government assume one-half of the cost of the old-age pension plan, which ought ultimately be supplanted by self-supporting annuity plans…

The establishment of sound means toward a greater future economic security of the American people is dictated by a prudent consideration of the hazards involved in our national life. No one can guarantee this country against the dangers of future depressions, but we can reduce those dangers. We can eliminate many of the factors that cause economic depressions, and we can provide the means of mitigating their results. This plan for economic security is at once a measure of prevention and a method of alleviation.

We pay now for the dreadful consequence of economic insecurity—and dearly. This plan presents a more equitable and infinitely less expensive means of meeting these costs. We cannot afford to neglect the plain duty before us. I strongly recommend action to attain the objectives sought in this report.”

5. 'Good Neighbor Policy' Address

August 14, 1936.

As Nazism ominously grew abroad, FDR kept a decidedly isolationist stance in the mid-1930s. In this speech, delivered at Chautauqua, N.Y., he decried the horrors of war, but also hinted that America “can and will” be ready to defend itself and its “neighborhood.”

"I have seen war. I have seen war on land and sea. I have seen blood running from the wounded. I have seen men coughing out their gassed lungs. I have seen the dead in the mud. I have seen cities destroyed. I have seen two hundred limping exhausted men come out of line—the survivors of a regiment of one thousand that went forward forty-eight hours before. I have seen children starving. I have seen the agony of mothers and wives. I hate war…

Of all the Nations of the world today we are in many ways most singularly blessed. Our closest neighbors are good neighbors. If there are remoter Nations that wish us not good but ill, they know that we are strong; they know that we can and will defend ourselves and defend our neighborhood.

We seek to dominate no other Nation. We ask no territorial expansion. We oppose imperialism. We desire reduction in world armaments.

We believe in democracy; we believe in freedom; we believe in peace. We offer to every Nation of the world the handclasp of the good neighbor. Let those who wish our friendship look us in the eye and take our hand."

6. FDR's 8th State of the Union Address: ' The Four Freedoms’

January 6, 1941.

As the war in Europe intensified and America’s allies lobbied for increased assistance, FDR used his eighth State of the Union address to try and move the nation away from its long-held isolationist stance. Specifically, he stressed the importance of increasing arms production—what he called America's " arsenal of democracy "—and moving forward with his " Lend-Lease " program, to supply Allies with U.S. munitions. He argued his case on moral grounds, underlining the global threat to democracy and reaffirming "the supremacy of human rights everywhere." He declared that people of all nations should enjoy the four basic freedoms that Americans take for granted.

"I suppose that every realist knows that the democratic way of life is at this moment being directly assailed in every part of the world—assailed either by arms or by secret spreading of poisonous propaganda by those who seek to destroy unity and promote discord in nations that are still at peace. During 16 long months this assault has blotted out the whole pattern of democratic life in an appalling number of independent nations, great and small. And the assailants are still on the march, threatening other nations, great and small.

Therefore, as your President, performing my constitutional duty to "give to the Congress information of the state of the union," I find it unhappily necessary to report that the future and the safety of our country and of our democracy are overwhelmingly involved in events far beyond our borders….

I…ask this Congress for authority and for funds sufficient to manufacture additional munitions and war supplies of many kinds, to be turned over to those nations which are now in actual war with aggressor nations. Our most useful and immediate role is to act as an arsenal for them as well as for ourselves…

In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.

The first is freedom of  speech  and expression—everywhere in the world.

The second is freedom of every person to  worship  God in his own way—everywhere in the world.

The third is freedom from  want , which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants— everywhere in the world.

The fourth is freedom from  fear , which, translated into world terms, means a worldwide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor—anywhere in the world.

That is no vision of a distant millennium. It is a definite basis for a kind of world attainable in our own time and generation. That kind of world is the very antithesis of the so-called “new order” of tyranny which the dictators seek to create with the crash of a bomb.

To that new order we oppose the greater conception—the moral order. A good society is able to face schemes of world domination and foreign revolutions alike without fear."

7. Roosevelt’s Address to Congress After the Attack on Pearl Harbor

Dec. 8, 1941.

Despite widespread desire to keep America out of hostilities, FDR was compelled to change course after the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor. In crafting his speech to Congress, Roosevelt changed the first line from “a day which will live in world history” to the sharper, more compelling “a day which will live in infamy.”

"Mr. Vice President, Mr. Speaker, Members of the Senate, and of the House of Representatives:

Yesterday, December 7th, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

The United States was at peace with that nation and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

Indeed, one hour after Japanese air squadrons had commenced bombing in the American island of Oahu, the Japanese ambassador to the United States and his colleague delivered to our Secretary of State a formal reply to a recent American message. And while this reply stated that it seemed useless to continue the existing diplomatic negotiations, it contained no threat or hint of war or of armed attack.

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time, the Japanese government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition, American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu…

Japan has [also] undertaken a surprise offensive extending throughout the Pacific area. The facts of yesterday and today speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense. But always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us...

I believe that I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make it very certain that this form of treachery shall never again endanger us.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph—so help us God.

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7th, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese empire."

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Historic Speeches

President Kennedy believed in the power of words -- both written and spoken -- to win votes, to set goals, to change minds, to move nations. He consistently took care to choose the right words and phrases that would send the right message. This section presents some of John F. Kennedy's most historic speeches; view a broader selection of his pre-presidential speeches and presidential speeches in our Speeches section. For a complete record of President Kennedy's public statements, see the  Public Papers of the Presidents .

Courtesy of Google, six of these speeches have been translated into twelve languages. 

Acceptance of Democratic Nomination for President

July 15, 1960

Address to the Greater Houston Ministerial Association

September 12, 1960

The City Upon a Hill Speech

January 9, 1961

Inaugural Address

January 20, 1961

Address to Joint Session of Congress

May 25, 1961

Address at University of Washington

November 16, 1961

Address at Independence Hall

July 4, 1962

Address at Rice University on the Nation's Space Effort

September 12, 1962

Address During the Cuban Missile Crisis

October 22, 1962

Address at Vanderbilt University

May 18, 1963

American University Commencement Address

June 10, 1963

Televised Address to the Nation on Civil Rights

June 11, 1963

Remarks at the Rudolph Wilde Platz, Berlin

June 26, 1963

Address Before the Irish Parliament

June 28, 1963

Televised Address on Nuclear Test Ban Treaty

July 26, 1963

Remarks at Amherst College on the Arts

October 26, 1963

Top 10 Greatest Speeches

As the political season heats up, TIME takes a tour of history's best rhetoric

John F. Kennedy

click here for part 2

Inaugural Address, 1961

In a relatively brief address that he spent two months crafting, Kennedy —at 43, the youngest president elected to the office and the first Roman Catholic — stressed the importance of national service.

Best Line : "My fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country."

Next Martin Luther King, Jr.

Major Speeches, 1964-1989

Major Pre-Presidential Speeches

Major Presidential Speeches - First Term

Major Presidential Speeches - Second Term

See the Public Papers of the President for all official speeches given by President Ronald Reagan during his presidency.

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New Digital Speech Collections

Article by Mary E. Stuckey Professor of Communication,  Georgia State University

We continue to remember his Presidency and his era through the rhetoric he bequeathed to us. Phrases like "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," and "the money changers [and their] high seats in the temple" evoke for us the Depression and its causes. Similarly, we know that the Second World War began for the U.S. on "a date which will live in infamy" and the prayer he offered in the midst of the D-Day invasion is as fine a description of the more elevated of American war aims as we will ever hear.

There were policy downsides to this as well, of course, and not all citizens were treated equally, either politically or rhetorically. Those issues, absences, and inequalities are also an important part of the historical record.

This collection makes that record, in all of its eloquent grandeur, occasional overreaching, and political exclusion and obfuscation available. Presidential rhetoric, whether grandly evocative or tediously mundane, does not come easily. Evidence do this effect exists in the many visible changes, edits, and amendments -- often in the president's own hand – written into the speech drafts contained in these files.  

This president's voice, once heard, is difficult to forget. Rich with the tones of Hyde Park and Harvard, that voice reached out to the people of the Appalachian hills, the dust-filled prairie, the rural South, and the mountainous West. Clearly a product of the aristocratic East, over the radio Franklin Roosevelt reached for and often found a common vernacular that spoke to all Americans.

That voice alone does justice to Roosevelt's rhetoric, for it was written with his distinctive style in mind; it is rhetoric that is meant to be heard rather than read, and both the man and his words are brought into sharper relief when we hear him. So it is especially important to have so much of his rhetoric available here for the listening.   

Franklin Roosevelt's presidency was pivotal. He changed the way we understand governance at home and the U.S. role abroad. The policies he espoused were explained and defended through his rhetoric. This collection enables access to the ways that these important elements of this most important presidency were created and defended. 

Access FDR's Master Speech File and Recorded Speeches  

Mary E. Stuckey, Ph.D., is the author of nine books focusing on presidential communication and rhetoric, national identity, strategic failures, the pre-presidential and presidential rhetoric of Ronald Reagan, the Challenger address, and the theory and practice of political communication research. Among her recent books is  Jimmy Carter, Human Rights, and the National Agenda (Texas A&M Press, 2008), which won the Marie Hochmuth Nichols Award, and  Defining Americans: The Presidency and National Identity  (Kansas 2004), which won the Gronbeck Prize for Scholarship in Political Communication. Her more than 50 articles and book chapters expand understanding of the presidency, the media, and governmental rhetoric aimed at American Indians. She is currently working on a book on Franklin Roosevelt. 

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Trump's speeches follow a familiar playlist, featuring greatest hits among new tunes

Stephen Fowler

Former President Donald Trump speaks during a rally on May 1 at Avflight Saginaw in Freeland, Mich. Nic Antaya/Getty Images hide caption

Former President Donald Trump speaks during a rally on May 1 at Avflight Saginaw in Freeland, Mich.

In 2024, a Donald Trump campaign speech is many things: a forum to air grievances against his opponents and ongoing criminal proceedings, a safe space to test his popularity among supporters and a lengthy stream of consciousness responding to political news of the day.

A Trump speech also gives insight on how he would govern in a second term if he wins the election this November.

Like a Phish concert but with more grievance, this is what it's like at a Trump rally

The former president's campaign events are surreal to experience: all-day affairs that are equal parts religious revival and massive pep rallies, powered by an infamous musical playlist that runs for hours before he speaks.

It's an eclectic mix of songs that reflects Trump's personal tastes, ranging from Elton John's "Tiny Dancer" to music from Phantom of the Opera to Village People's "Y.M.C.A.," culminating with Lee Greenwood's country classic "God Bless The U.S.A." as he walks on stage to thunderous applause.

It's also helpful to think of what Trump says at these events as its own curated playlist: never the same topics in the same order, heavy on the greatest hits but with plenty of space left for new tracks that riff on what's popular.

Familiar refrains and one-hit wonders

Plenty of Trump's speech is tied to where he is, who he's talking to and how it fits in the political moment.

Picture this: it's the night before the first presidential primary contest, so Trump's remarks in Indianola, Iowa, feature diss tracks against top rivals Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis, plus crowd pleasing mentions of tariffs and increased access to ethanol, both topics important to Iowa's farmers.

But there's also plenty of typical Trumpian fare that could've been delivered anywhere:

"These caucuses are your personal chance to score the ultimate victory over all of the liars, cheaters, thugs, perverts, frauds, crooks, freaks, creeps, and other quite nice people," Trump said.

It can be hard for even seasoned observers to track what's new or notable in his speeches. The run time is often more than an hour and can switch tone and topics at random.

Donald Trump's campaign speeches feature familiar attacks against opponents like Joe Biden, plus one off riffs on his policy proposals. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

Donald Trump's campaign speeches feature familiar attacks against opponents like Joe Biden, plus one off riffs on his policy proposals.

Still, there are common threads, including attacks against the array of criminal charges against him, as prosecutors allege everything from election interference to business fraud to mishandling classified documents.

For example, in 15 major speeches reviewed by NPR from this year, Trump says his indictments far outpace the reputation of a notorious gangster: Al Capone — or, as Trump affectionately refers to him, "Alphonse."

"This was the roughest, meanest gangster in history," Trump said at the Black Conservative Federation's gala in Columbia, S.C., earlier this year. "I've been indicted more than Alphonse Capone, Scarface. If he had dinner with you, and if he didn't like the tone of your voice, he would kill you that night. You would never see your family again. You were dead."

At that February event, Trump also mused that his indictments help him appeal to Black voters.

Remixing his favorite tunes

The tone and tenor of Trump's campaign speeches have taken a darker turn in 2024, like in Dayton, Ohio, where he warned of a "bloodbath" for the auto industry if he loses the election. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption

The tone and tenor of Trump's campaign speeches have taken a darker turn in 2024, like in Dayton, Ohio, where he warned of a "bloodbath" for the auto industry if he loses the election.

Trump's 2024 campaign speeches have many commonalities — like verses that mock President Joe Biden's age, appearance, activities and actions as president.

"I mean the guy can't put two sentences together, he can't find the stairs to a platform," Trump said in Richmond, Va.

There's also unique riffs that raise eyebrows and make headlines, like the time in Conway, S.C., where Trump said he wouldn't defend some NATO allies against Russia .

"If we don't pay and we're attacked by Russia, will you protect us?" Trump said another NATO leader asked him one time. "'No, I would not protect you. In fact, I would encourage them to do whatever the hell they want.'"

Republicans play cleanup on aisle Trump after former president's NATO comments

Then, in Dayton, Ohio, Trump warned his defeat could be terrible for the automotive industry.

"If I don't get elected, it's going to be a bloodbath for the whole ... that's going to be the least of it," Trump said. "It's going to be a bloodbath for the country. That'll be the least of it."

As the year has progressed, Trump's rallies have taken a darker, more defiant tone, and his "greatest hits" are increasingly hitting back at groups that he feels have wronged him, or aren't on board with the "Make America Great Again" vision.

In North Carolina and Virginia, Pennsylvania and Nevada to hear Trump tell it, there will be no America unless he is in charge and Biden is vanquished.

"He's a demented tyrant who is trying to destroy our democracy," Trump said of the president in Schnecksville, Pa.

In Las Vegas, Trump told a roaring crowd to think of the 10 worst presidents in American history.

"They would not have done near the destruction to our country as Crooked Joe Biden and the Biden administration have done," he said.

"He's destroying our country," Trump said, echoing his remarks in Pennsylvania.

The hostile phrasing around the promise to implement hardline policies like mass deportations — and expanding the powers of the presidency to punish opponents — is a feature, not a bug, of Trump's campaign message.

It's a message that says the stakes are too high to ignore.

"We will fight for America like no one has ever fought before," he intoned in Greensboro, N.C., as an instrumental with ties to the QAnon movement played underneath. "2024 is our final battle."

While no two rallies are exactly the same, the final notes of a Trump speech are like a catchy political earworm as he vows to make America powerful, wealthy, strong, proud and safe once more, ending with his signature promise to "Make America great again."

Former President Donald Trump and attorney Susan Necheles attend his trial at the Manhattan Criminal court, Tuesday. Less than a week after a pair of campaign rallies, Trump is mandated to be back in court almost everyday, making the Manhattan courtroom his campaign trail stop of necessity. Win MacNamee/AP hide caption

Former President Donald Trump and attorney Susan Necheles attend his trial at the Manhattan Criminal court, Tuesday. Less than a week after a pair of campaign rallies, Trump is mandated to be back in court almost everyday, making the Manhattan courtroom his campaign trail stop of necessity.

Trump's last two rallies last week were held on the only day of the week his New York trial was not in session. But, in his first stop, he largely avoided talking about that trial that has kept him off the campaign trail .

In front of his biggest fans once again, Trump's verbal playlist in Waukesha, Wis., featured comedic asides, like telling a protester to "Go home to mom!"

Away from his New York trial, Donald Trump's campaign rallies are business as usual

Between his usual comments about closing the southern border, deporting migrants and claiming global conflict would cease if he was in charge, Trump made inflammatory remarks about Palestinian refugees that garnered little media attention .

"Under no circumstances shall we bring thousands of refugees from Hamas-controlled terrorist epicenters like Gaza to America," he said.

Trump reiterated support for a travel ban from Muslim-majority countries, and implied an influx of migrants to the U.S. would lead to a terrorist attack similar to the Oct. 7 attack in Israel.

"We do not need a jihad in the United States of America," he added to cheers from the crowd.

A few hours later, Trump curated a different vibe in Freeland, Mich., making no mention of Gaza. He did, however, give significant airtime to his criminal proceedings and how much they cramped his campaign style.

"As you know, I have come here today from New York City where I'm being forced to sit for days on end in a kangaroo courtroom with a corrupt and conflicted judge enduring a Biden sideshow trial," he said.

And because it's the Trump show, that applause line was soon followed by a familiar refrain.

"Has anyone ever heard of Al Capone? Scarface!" he quipped.

Until the New York hush money trial has wrapped, Trump's main act will be headlining the inside (and outside) of a Manhattan courtroom.

He'll take his show on the road again Saturday in New Jersey, where you can expect familiar tunes, both verbal and musical, like the Sam and Dave song "Hold On, I'm Comin'" that typically ends his rallies.

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Remarks by President   Biden on Recent Events on College   Campuses

Roosevelt Room

11:07 A.M. EDT   THE PRESIDENT:  Good morning.   Q    Good morning.   THE PRESIDENT:  Before I head to North Carolina, I wanted to speak a few moments about what’s going on on our college campuses here. 

We’ve all seen the images.  And they put to the test two fundamental American principles. 

Excuse me.  (Coughs.)   The first is the right to free speech and for people to peacefully assemble and make their voices heard.  The second is the rule of law.  Both must be upheld.    We are not an authoritarian nation where we silence people or squash dissent.  The American people are heard.  In fact, peaceful protest is in the best tradition of how Americans respond to consequential issues.    But — but neither are we a lawless country.  We are a civil society, and order must prevail.    Throughout our history, we’ve often faced moments like this because we are a big, diverse, free-thinking, and freedom-loving nation.    In moments like this, there are always those who rush in to score political points.  But this isn’t a moment for politics.  It’s a moment for clarity.    So, let me be clear.  Peaceful protest in America — violent protest is not protected; peaceful protest is.  It’s against the law when violence occurs.    Destroying property is not a peaceful protest.  It’s against the law.   Vandalism, trespassing, breaking windows, shutting down campuses, forcing the cancellation of classes and graduations — none of this is a peaceful protest.    Threatening people, intimidating people, instilling fear in people is not peaceful protest.  It’s against the law.   Dissent is essential to democracy.  But dissent must never lead to disorder or to denying the rights of others so students can finish the semester and their college education.   Look, it’s basically a matter of fairness.  It’s a matter of what’s right.  There’s the right to protest but not the right to cause chaos.   People have the right to get an education, the right to get a degree, the right to walk across the campus safely without fear of being attacked.   But let’s be clear about this as well.  There should be no place on any campus, no place in America for antisemitism or threats of violence against Jewish students.  There is no place for hate speech or violence of any kind, whether it’s antisemitism, Islamophobia, or discrimination against Arab Americans or Palestinian Americans.   It’s simply wrong.  There is no place for racism in America.  It’s all wrong.  It’s un-American.    I understand people have strong feelings and deep convictions.  In America, we respect the right and protect the right for them to express that.  But it doesn’t mean anything goes.  It needs to be done without violence, without destruction, without hate, and within the law.   You know, make no mistake: As President, I will always defend free speech.  And I will always be just as strong in standing up for the rule of law.   That’s my responsibility to you, the American people, and my obligation to the Constitution.   Thank you very much.   Q    Mr. President, have the protests forced you to reconsider any of the policies with regard to the region?   THE PRESIDENT:  No. 

Thank you.   Q    Mr. President, do you think the National Guard should intervene?   THE PRESIDENT:  No.   11:11 A.M. EDT

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Presidential Speeches

January 19, 2021: farewell address, about this speech.

Donald Trump

January 19, 2021

President Donald Trump gives his farewell address the night before leaving Washington, DC. He did not attend Joe Biden's inauguration, becoming the first president since 1869 to skip his successor's inauguration. In this address, Trump recounts highlights from his time in office.

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My fellow Americans: Four years ago, we launched a great national effort to rebuild our country, to renew its spirit, and to restore the allegiance of this government to its citizens. In short, we embarked on a mission to make America great again — for all Americans.

As I conclude my term as the 45th President of the United States, I stand before you truly proud of what we have achieved together. We did what we came here to do — and so much more.

This week, we inaugurate a new administration and pray for its success in keeping America safe and prosperous. We extend our best wishes, and we also want them to have luck — a very important word.

I’d like to begin by thanking just a few of the amazing people who made our remarkable journey possible.

First, let me express my overwhelming gratitude for the love and support of our spectacular First Lady, Melania. Let me also share my deepest appreciation to my daughter Ivanka, my son-in-law Jared, and to Barron, Don, Eric, Tiffany, and Lara. You fill my world with light and with joy.

I also want to thank Vice President Mike Pence, his wonderful wife Karen, and the entire Pence family.

Thank you as well to my Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows; the dedicated members of the White House Staff and the Cabinet; and all the incredible people across our administration who poured out their heart and soul to fight for America.

I also want to take a moment to thank a truly exceptional group of people: the United States Secret Service. My family and I will forever be in your debt. My profound gratitude as well to everyone in the White House Military Office, the teams of Marine One and Air Force One, every member of the Armed Forces, and state and local law enforcement all across our country.

Most of all, I want to thank the American people. To serve as your President has been an honor beyond description. Thank you for this extraordinary privilege. And that’s what it is — a great privilege and a great honor.

We must never forget that while Americans will always have our disagreements, we are a nation of incredible, decent, faithful, and peace-loving citizens who all want our country to thrive and flourish and be very, very successful and good. We are a truly magnificent nation.

All Americans were horrified by the assault on our Capitol. Political violence is an attack on everything we cherish as Americans. It can never be tolerated.

Now more than ever, we must unify around our shared values and rise above the partisan rancor, and forge our common destiny.

Four years ago, I came to Washington as the only true outsider ever to win the presidency. I had not spent my career as a politician, but as a builder looking at open skylines and imagining infinite possibilities. I ran for President because I knew there were towering new summits for America just waiting to be scaled. I knew the potential for our nation was boundless as long as we put America first.

So I left behind my former life and stepped into a very difficult arena, but an arena nevertheless, with all sorts of potential if properly done. America had given me so much, and I wanted to give something back.

Together with millions of hardworking patriots across this land, we built the greatest political movement in the history of our country. We also built the greatest economy in the history of the world. It was about “America First” because we all wanted to make America great again. We restored the principle that a nation exists to serve its citizens. Our agenda was not about right or left, it wasn’t about Republican or Democrat, but about the good of a nation, and that means the whole nation.

With the support and prayers of the American people, we achieved more than anyone thought possible. Nobody thought we could even come close.

We passed the largest package of tax cuts and reforms in American history. We slashed more job-killing regulations than any administration had ever done before. We fixed our broken trade deals, withdrew from the horrible Trans-Pacific Partnership and the impossible Paris Climate Accord, renegotiated the one-sided South Korea deal, and we replaced NAFTA with the groundbreaking USMCA — that’s Mexico and Canada — a deal that’s worked out very, very well.

Also, and very importantly, we imposed historic and monumental tariffs on China; made a great new deal with China. But before the ink was even dry, we and the whole world got hit with the China virus. Our trade relationship was rapidly changing, billions and billions of dollars were pouring into the U.S., but the virus forced us to go in a different direction.

The whole world suffered, but America outperformed other countries economically because of our incredible economy and the economy that we built. Without the foundations and footings, it wouldn’t have worked out this way. We wouldn’t have some of the best numbers we’ve ever had.

We also unlocked our energy resources and became the world’s number-one producer of oil and natural gas by far. Powered by these policies, we built the greatest economy in the history of the world. We reignited America’s job creation and achieved record-low unemployment for African Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, women — almost everyone.

Incomes soared, wages boomed, the American Dream was restored, and millions were lifted from poverty in just a few short years. It was a miracle. The stock market set one record after another, with 148 stock market highs during this short period of time, and boosted the retirements and pensions of hardworking citizens all across our nation. 401(k)s are at a level they’ve never been at before. We’ve never seen numbers like we’ve seen, and that’s before the pandemic and after the pandemic.

We rebuilt the American manufacturing base, opened up thousands of new factories, and brought back the beautiful phrase: “Made in the USA.”

To make life better for working families, we doubled the child tax credit and signed the largest-ever expansion of funding for childcare and development. We joined with the private sector to secure commitments to train more than 16 million American workers for the jobs of tomorrow.

When our nation was hit with the terrible pandemic, we produced not one, but two vaccines with record-breaking speed, and more will quickly follow. They said it couldn’t be done but we did it. They call it a “medical miracle,” and that’s what they’re calling it right now: a “medical miracle.”

Another administration would have taken 3, 4, 5, maybe even up to 10 years to develop a vaccine. We did in nine months.

We grieve for every life lost, and we pledge in their memory to wipe out this horrible pandemic once and for all.

When the virus took its brutal toll on the world’s economy, we launched the fastest economic recovery our country has ever seen. We passed nearly $4 trillion in economic relief, saved or supported over 50 million jobs, and slashed the unemployment rate in half. These are numbers that our country has never seen before.

We created choice and transparency in healthcare, stood up to big pharma in so many ways, but especially in our effort to get favored-nations clauses added, which will give us the lowest prescription drug prices anywhere in the world.

We passed VA Choice, VA Accountability, Right to Try, and landmark criminal justice reform.

We confirmed three new justices of the United States Supreme Court. We appointed nearly 300 federal judges to interpret our Constitution as written.

For years, the American people pleaded with Washington to finally secure the nation’s borders. I am pleased to say we answered that plea and achieved the most secure border in U.S. history. We have given our brave border agents and heroic ICE officers the tools they need to do their jobs better than they have ever done before, and to enforce our laws and keep America safe.

We proudly leave the next administration with the strongest and most robust border security measures ever put into place. This includes historic agreements with Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador, along with more than 450 miles of powerful new wall.

We restored American strength at home and American leadership abroad. The world respects us again. Please don’t lose that respect.

We reclaimed our sovereignty by standing up for America at the United Nations and withdrawing from the one-sided global deals that never served our interests. And NATO countries are now paying hundreds of billions of dollars more than when I arrived just a few years ago. It was very unfair. We were paying the cost for the world. Now the world is helping us.

And perhaps most importantly of all, with nearly $3 trillion, we fully rebuilt the American military — all made in the USA. We launched the first new branch of the United States Armed Forces in 75 years: the Space Force. And last spring, I stood at Kennedy Space Center in Florida and watched as American astronauts returned to space on American rockets for the first time in many, many years.

We revitalized our alliances and rallied the nations of the world to stand up to China like never before.

We obliterated the ISIS caliphate and ended the wretched life of its founder and leader, al Baghdadi. We stood up to the oppressive Iranian regime and killed the world’s top terrorist, Iranian butcher Qasem Soleimani.

We recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

As a result of our bold diplomacy and principled realism, we achieved a series of historic peace deals in the Middle East. Nobody believed it could happen. The Abraham Accords opened the doors to a future of peace and harmony, not violence and bloodshed. It is the dawn of a new Middle East, and we are bringing our soldiers home.

I am especially proud to be the first President in decades who has started no new wars.

Above all, we have reasserted the sacred idea that, in America, the government answers to the people. Our guiding light, our North Star, our unwavering conviction has been that we are here to serve the noble everyday citizens of America. Our allegiance is not to the special interests, corporations, or global entities; it’s to our children, our citizens, and to our nation itself.

As President, my top priority, my constant concern, has always been the best interests of American workers and American families. I did not seek the easiest course; by far, it was actually the most difficult. I did not seek the path that would get the least criticism. I took on the tough battles, the hardest fights, the most difficult choices because that’s what you elected me to do. Your needs were my first and last unyielding focus.

This, I hope, will be our greatest legacy: Together, we put the American people back in charge of our country. We restored self-government. We restored the idea that in America no one is forgotten, because everyone matters and everyone has a voice. We fought for the principle that every citizen is entitled to equal dignity, equal treatment, and equal rights because we are all made equal by God. Everyone is entitled to be treated with respect, to have their voice heard, and to have their government listen. You are loyal to your country, and my administration was always loyal to you.

We worked to build a country in which every citizen could find a great job and support their wonderful families. We fought for the communities where every American could be safe and schools where every child could learn. We promoted a culture where our laws would be upheld, our heroes honored, our history preserved, and law-abiding citizens are never taken for granted. Americans should take tremendous satisfaction in all that we have achieved together. It’s incredible.

Now, as I leave the White House, I have been reflecting on the dangers that threaten the priceless inheritance we all share. As the world’s most powerful nation, America faces constant threats and challenges from abroad. But the greatest danger we face is a loss of confidence in ourselves, a loss of confidence in our national greatness. A nation is only as strong as its spirit. We are only as dynamic as our pride. We are only as vibrant as the faith that beats in the hearts of our people.

No nation can long thrive that loses faith in its own values, history, and heroes, for these are the very sources of our unity and our vitality.

What has always allowed America to prevail and triumph over the great challenges of the past has been an unyielding and unashamed conviction in the nobility of our country and its unique purpose in history. We must never lose this conviction. We must never forsake our belief in America.

The key to national greatness lies in sustaining and instilling our shared national identity. That means focusing on what we have in common: the heritage that we all share.

At the center of this heritage is also a robust belief in free expression, free speech, and open debate. Only if we forget who we are, and how we got here, could we ever allow political censorship and blacklisting to take place in America. It’s not even thinkable. Shutting down free and open debate violates our core values and most enduring traditions. In America, we don’t insist on absolute conformity or enforce rigid orthodoxies and punitive speech codes. We just don’t do that. America is not a timid nation of tame souls who need to be sheltered and protected from those with whom we disagree. That’s not who we are. It will never be who we are.

For nearly 250 years, in the face of every challenge, Americans have always summoned our unmatched courage, confidence, and fierce independence. These are the miraculous traits that once led millions of everyday citizens to set out across a wild continent and carve out a new life in the great West. It was the same profound love of our God-given freedom that willed our soldiers into battle and our astronauts into space.

As I think back on the past four years, one image rises in my mind above all others. Whenever I traveled all along the motorcade route, there were thousands and thousands of people. They came out with their families so that they could stand as we passed, and proudly wave our great American flag. It never failed to deeply move me. I knew that they did not just come out to show their support of me; they came out to show me their support and love for our country.

This is a republic of proud citizens who are united by our common conviction that America is the greatest nation in all of history. We are, and must always be, a land of hope, of light, and of glory to all the world. This is the precious inheritance that we must safeguard at every single turn.

For the past four years, I have worked to do just that. From a great hall of Muslim leaders in Riyadh to a great square of Polish people in Warsaw; from the floor of the Korean Assembly to the podium at the United Nations General Assembly; and from the Forbidden City in Beijing to the shadow of Mount Rushmore, I fought for you, I fought for your family, I fought for our country. Above all, I fought for America and all it stands for — and that is safe, strong, proud, and free.

Now, as I prepare to hand power over to a new administration at noon on Wednesday, I want you to know that the movement we started is only just beginning. There’s never been anything like it. The belief that a nation must serve its citizens will not dwindle but instead only grow stronger by the day.

As long as the American people hold in their hearts deep and devoted love of country, then there is nothing that this nation cannot achieve. Our communities will flourish. Our people will be prosperous. Our traditions will be cherished. Our faith will be strong. And our future will be brighter than ever before.

I go from this majestic place with a loyal and joyful heart, an optimistic spirit, and a supreme confidence that for our country and for our children, the best is yet to come.

Thank you, and farewell. God bless you. God bless the United States of America.

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R.F.K. Jr. Says Doctors Found a Dead Worm in His Brain

The presidential candidate has faced previously undisclosed health issues, including a parasite that he said ate part of his brain.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has emphasized his vitality and relative youth compared with the leading Democratic and Republican candidates. Credit... Eduardo Munoz/Reuters

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By Susanne Craig

• May 8, 2024

In 2010, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was experiencing memory loss and mental fogginess so severe that a friend grew concerned he might have a brain tumor. Mr. Kennedy said he consulted several of the country’s top neurologists, many of whom had either treated or spoken to his uncle, Senator Edward M. Kennedy, before his death the previous year of brain cancer.

Several doctors noticed a dark spot on the younger Mr. Kennedy’s brain scans and concluded that he had a tumor, he said in a 2012 deposition reviewed by The New York Times. Mr. Kennedy was immediately scheduled for a procedure at Duke University Medical Center by the same surgeon who had operated on his uncle , he said.

While packing for the trip, he said, he received a call from a doctor at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital who had a different opinion: Mr. Kennedy, he believed, had a dead parasite in his head.

The doctor believed that the abnormality seen on his scans “was caused by a worm that got into my brain and ate a portion of it and then died,” Mr. Kennedy said in the deposition.

Now an independent presidential candidate, the 70-year-old Mr. Kennedy has portrayed his athleticism and relative youth as an advantage over the two oldest people to ever seek the White House: President Biden, 81, and former President Donald J. Trump, 77. Mr. Kennedy has secured a place on the ballots in Utah, Michigan, Hawaii and, his campaign says, California and Delaware. His intensive efforts to gain access in more states could put him in a position to tip the election.

He has gone to lengths to appear hale, skiing with a professional snowboarder and with an Olympic gold medalist who called him a “ripper” as they raced down the mountain. A camera crew was at his side while he lifted weights, shirtless, at an outdoor gym in Venice Beach.

Still, over the years, he has faced serious health issues, some previously undisclosed, including the apparent parasite.

For decades, Mr. Kennedy suffered from atrial fibrillation, a common heartbeat abnormality that increases the risk of stroke or heart failure. He has been hospitalized at least four times for episodes, although in an interview with The Times this winter, he said he had not had an incident in more than a decade and believed the condition had disappeared.

About the same time he learned of the parasite, he said, he was also diagnosed with mercury poisoning, most likely from ingesting too much fish containing the dangerous heavy metal, which can cause serious neurological issues.

“I have cognitive problems, clearly,” he said in the 2012 deposition. “I have short-term memory loss, and I have longer-term memory loss that affects me.”

In the interview with The Times, he said he had recovered from the memory loss and fogginess and had no aftereffects from the parasite, which he said had not required treatment. Asked last week if any of Mr. Kennedy’s health issues could compromise his fitness for the presidency, Stefanie Spear, a spokeswoman for the Kennedy campaign, told The Times, “That is a hilarious suggestion, given the competition.”

The campaign declined to provide his medical records to The Times. Neither President Biden nor Mr. Trump has released medical records in this election cycle. However, the White House put out a six-page health summary for President Biden in February. Mr. Trump released a three-paragraph statement from his doctor in November.

On Wednesday afternoon, hours after this article was published, Mr. Kennedy posted a comment on his X profile. “I offer to eat 5 more brain worms and still beat President Trump and President Biden in a debate,” the post read. “I feel confident in the result even with a six-worm handicap.”

Doctors who have treated parasitic infections and mercury poisoning said both conditions can sometimes permanently damage brain function, but patients also can have temporary symptoms and mount a full recovery.

Some of Mr. Kennedy’s health issues were revealed in the 2012 deposition, which he gave during divorce proceedings from his second wife, Mary Richardson Kennedy. At the time, Mr. Kennedy was arguing that his earning power had been diminished by his cognitive struggles.

Mr. Kennedy provided more details, including about the apparent parasite, in the phone interview with The Times, conducted when he was on the cusp of getting on his first state ballot. His campaign declined to answer follow-up questions.

In the days after the 2010 call from NewYork-Presbyterian, Mr. Kennedy said in the interview, he underwent a battery of tests. Scans over many weeks showed no change in the spot on his brain, he said.

Doctors ultimately concluded that the cyst they saw on scans contained the remains of a parasite. Mr. Kennedy said that he did not know the type of parasite or where he might have contracted it, though he suspected it might have been during a trip through South Asia.

Several infectious disease experts and neurosurgeons said in separate interviews with The Times that, based on what Mr. Kennedy described, they believed it was likely a pork tapeworm larva. The doctors have not treated Mr. Kennedy and were speaking generally.

Dr. Clinton White, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, said microscopic tapeworm eggs are sticky and easily transferred from one person to another. Once hatched, the larvae can travel in the bloodstream, he said, “and end up in all kinds of tissues.”

Though it is impossible to know, he added that it is unlikely that a parasite would eat a part of the brain, as Mr. Kennedy described. Rather, Dr. White said, it survives on nutrients from the body. Unlike tapeworm larvae in the intestines, those in the brain remain relatively small, about a third of an inch.

Some tapeworm larvae can live in a human brain for years without causing problems. Others can wreak havoc, often when they start to die, which causes inflammation. The most common symptoms are seizures, headaches and dizziness.

There are roughly 2,000 hospitalizations for the condition, known as neurocysticercosis, each year in the United States, according to the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases .

Scott Gardner, curator of the Manter Laboratory for Parasitology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, said that once any worm is in a brain, cells calcify around it. “And you’re going to basically have almost like a tumor that’s there forever. It’s not going to go anywhere.”

Dr. Gardner said it was possible a worm would cause memory loss. However, severe memory loss is more often associated with another health scare Mr. Kennedy said he had at the time: mercury poisoning.

Mr. Kennedy said he was then subsisting on a diet heavy on predatory fish, notably tuna and perch, both known to have elevated mercury levels. In the interview with The Times, he said that he had experienced “severe brain fog” and had trouble retrieving words. Mr. Kennedy, an environmental lawyer who has railed against the dangers of mercury contamination in fish from coal-fired power plants , had his blood tested.

He said the tests showed his mercury levels were 10 times what the Environmental Protection Agency considers safe.

At the time, Mr. Kennedy also was a few years into his crusade against thimerosal, a mercury-containing preservative used in some vaccines. He is a longtime vaccine skeptic who has falsely linked childhood inoculations to a rise in autism, as well as to other medical conditions .

In the interview, Mr. Kennedy said he was certain his diet had caused the poisoning. “ I loved tuna fish sandwiches. I ate them all the time,” he said.

The Times described Mr. Kennedy’s symptoms to Elsie Sunderland, an environmental chemist at Harvard who has not spoken to Mr. Kennedy and responded generally about the condition.

She said the mercury levels that Mr. Kennedy described were high, but not surprising for someone consuming that quantity and type of seafood.

Mr. Kennedy said he made changes after these two health scares, including getting more sleep, traveling less and reducing his fish intake.

He also underwent chelation therapy, a treatment that binds to metals in the body so they can be expelled. It is generally given to people contaminated by metals, such as lead and zinc, in industrial accidents. Dr. Sunderland said that when mercury poisoning is clearly diet-related, she would simply recommend that the person stop eating fish. But another doctor who spoke to The Times said she would advise chelation therapy for the levels Mr. Kennedy said he had.

Mr. Kennedy’s heart issue began in college, he said, when it started beating out of sync.

In 2001 he was admitted to a hospital in Seattle while in town to give a speech, according to news reports. He was treated, and released the next day. He was hospitalized at least three additional times between September 2011 and early 2012, including once in Los Angeles, he said in the deposition. On that visit, he said, doctors used a defibrillator to shock his heart to reset the rhythm.

He said in the deposition that stress, caffeine and a lack of sleep triggered the condition. “It feels like there’s a bag of worms in my chest. I can feel immediately when it goes out,” he said.

He also said in the deposition and the interview that he had contracted hepatitis C through intravenous drug use in his youth. He said he had been treated and had no lingering effects from the infection.

Mr. Kennedy has spoken publicly about one other major health condition — spasmodic dysphonia, a neurological disorder that causes his vocal cords to squeeze too close together and explains his hoarse, sometimes strained voice.

He first noticed it when he was 42 years old, he said in the deposition. Mr. Kennedy for years made a significant amount of money giving speeches , and that business fell off as the condition worsened, he said.

He told an interviewer last year that he had recently undergone a procedure available in Japan to implant titanium between his vocal cords to keep them from involuntarily constricting.

Susanne Craig is an investigative reporter. She has written about the finances of Donald J. Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and has been a journalist for more than 30 years. More about Susanne Craig

Our Coverage of the 2024 Election

Presidential Race

President Biden announced the creation of an A.I. data center in Wisconsin , highlighting one of his administration’s biggest economic accomplishments in a battleground state — and pointing to a significant failure by former President Donald Trump.

Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, one of the top contenders to become Trump’s running mate, will host a fund-raiser that includes Republican donors who so far have been resistant to Trump .

After years in which his privacy has been fiercely guarded, Barron Trump, the former president’s youngest son, was chosen to be one of Florida’s delegates to the Republican National Convention .

Sensing Shift on Abortion:  Are Latinas — once considered too religious or too socially conservative to support abortion rights — changing their views on the issue? Demorcats are optimistic .

A Wild Card in Texas:  Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the independent presidential candidate, expects to be on the ballot in Texas. His addition could lend a hand to the Democratic challenger seeking to unseat Senator Ted Cruz .

1968 Looms:  As Chicago prepares to host the Democratic National Convention in August, the city wants to shed memories of chaos  from half a century ago even as protests are growing.

Talk of Escape:  At Washington dinner parties, dark jokes abound  about where to go into exile if Trump reclaims the White House.

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