The 10 best presidential speeches

October 24, 10:08 PMHouston Politics ExaminerBrandon De Hoyos

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In triumph and tragedy, in celebration and in mourning, the words of the presidents of the United States have moved our young nation to action, strengthening resolve and offering a renewed vision of the promise of America. 

Their speeches embody the spirit of the nation and the willingness of ordinary men to do extraordinary things to ensure the survival of our great experiment: a democracy born of the hopes and dreams of our founding fathers and continued through the ambition of each passing generation. 

Their words also paint lasting portraits of the men who have served at this greatest capacity, reflecting bold, decisive leadership, often their humor and even a sense of their infallibility.

Out of literally hundreds of texts, these ten speeches reflect the best oratory in American history and illustrate the greatest of desires for our country:

1832     South Carolina Tariffs Speech, President Andrew Jackson

Rough hewn and “tough as hickory,” Jackson rallied the Congress to pass legislation to preserve the Union after the South Carolina legislature declares Jackson’s tariffs null and void in the state.

1863     The Gettysburg Address, President Abraham Lincoln

Although predicted to be forgotten by our generation, Lincoln’s advocacy of civil rights for slaves and a call to defending the preservation of the Union is perhaps one of the greatest speeches ever recorded.

1933    First Inaugural Address, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Elected into service by an electorate faced by the greatest economic crisis in American history, the great orator in Roosevelt promised “a new deal” and a new leader focused on helping the common, working class.

1941     Pearl Harbor Declaration of War, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Following the devastating Japanese attacks of U.S. air and naval forces at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Roosevelt bolstered American resolve and vowed to take the fight to the enemies already embroiled in the growing world war.

1963    Ich bin ein Berliner, President John F. Kennedy

Denouncing Communism forces after building a physical barrier between East and West Berlin, Kennedy calls for the spread of freedom and human rights on the border between former Axis and Allied forces.

1974    Resignation Address, President Richard M. Nixon

Addressing White House staff in the final moments of his presidency, Nixon urges service above self in a speech which greatly illustrates the humanity of a man—the only man—to resign from the presidency.

1974    Our Long National Nightmare, President Gerald R. Ford

Following more than two-decades of hardship, Ford is sworn into office and vows to restore faith and trust in the presidency of the United States.

       1981     First Inaugural Address, President Ronald Reagan

Facing economic woes and the end of a drawn-out hostage crisis in Iran, a nation is called into action to believe it is “morning in America” again with their new president.

       1987     Tear Down This Wall, President Ronald Reagan

Committed to ending the Cold War, Reagan returned to the Berlin Wall urging Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to demolish the last standing edifice of Communism.

        2001    An Address to the Nation, President George W. Bush

Following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the president’s words rallied a nation in fear and unsure of what would happen next in the wake of an attack on the homeland.