Ronald Reagan: First Inaugural Speech

October 24, 9:25 PMHouston Politics ExaminerBrandon De Hoyos

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"The crisis we are facing today… does require, however, our best effort, and our willingness to believe in ourselves and to believe in our capacity to perform great deeds; to believe that together, with God's help, we can and will resolve the problems which now confront us.   And, after all, why shouldn't we believe that? We are Americans," -- President Ronald Reagan (1981)

Facing critical crisis regarding energy and the economy at home and the Iranian Hostage situation abroad, President Ronald Reagan, the nation’s 40^th chief executive, wooed voters in the election of 1980 with a populist message inspiring Americans to greatness again. 

With “morning in America” again, the former Hollywood movie star-turned-California governor championed lowering taxes to stimulate the weakened economy under President Jimmy Carter, smaller government, less government interference with people’s lives and a strong military. A majority of Americans rose to the call and elected Reagan by 50.7 percent.  

Addressing millions at his first inauguration on Jan. 20, 1981, Reagan set into motion the “Reagan Revolution,” devoted to building faith in the American economy while ending the Cold War outside U.S. borders: 

The economic ills we suffer have come upon us over several decades. They will not go away in days, weeks, or months, but they will go away. They will go away because we, as Americans, have the capacity now, as we have had in the past, to do whatever needs to be done to preserve this last and greatest bastion of freedom. 

To those neighbors and allies who share our freedom, we will strengthen our historic ties and assure them of our support and firm commitment. We will match loyalty with loyalty. We will strive for mutually beneficial relations. We will not use our friendship to impose on their sovereignty, for our own sovereignty is not for sale. 

 Above all, we must realize that no arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women. It is a weapon our adversaries in today's world do not have. It is a weapon that we as Americans do have. Let that be understood by those who practice terrorism and prey upon their neighbors.

NEXT: Ronald Reagan, Tear Down This Wall