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Ronald Reagan 1911~2004


Reagan Speech Archive

Reagan
 

Dubbed the "Great Communicator" by admirers, Ronald Reagan was distinguished by oratory skills unmatched by any U.S. president since John F. Kennedy.

Whether the topic was fiscal responsibility or the death of the space shuttle Challenger crew, Reagan put his Hollywood training and talented speech writers to good use. Masterful at connecting with audiences, he inspired listeners with with phrases like "morning in America," "evil empire" and "the shining city on the hill" that became part of the national vernacular.

The archive assembled here contains the full text of Reagan's best-known speeches, from the televised address supporting Barry Goldwater's presidential campaign in 1964 to his announcement three decades later that he had Alzheimer's disease.

Early speeches (1964 - 1980)

'A Time for Choosing' (October 27, 1964)
Gubernatorial inaugural address, Sacramento, California (January 5, 1967)
'To Restore America' (March 31, 1976)
Acceptance of the Republican nomination for president (July 17, 1980)
Election night victory speech (November 4, 1980)

Speeches from Reagan's first presidential term (1981 - 1984)

First inaugural address (January 20, 1981)
1982 State of the Union address (January 26, 1982)
Address to the British House of Commons on the Soviet Union (June 8, 1982)
Address to the nation on the defense budget (March 23, 1983)
Address to the nation on U.S. activities in Lebanon and Grenada (October 27, 1983)
Remarks on the 40th anniversary of D-Day (June 6, 1984)

Speeches from Reagan's second presidential term (1985 - 1988)

Second inaugural address (January 21, 1985)
1985 State of the Union address (February 6, 1985)
Remarks after the crash of the Space Shuttle Challenger (January 28, 1986)
"Just Say No" speech (September 14, 1986)
Remarks on the Iran-Contra affair (March 4, 1987)
Speech at the Brandenburg Gate, Berlin (June 12, 1987)
Farewell address to the nation (January 11, 1989)

Post-presidential speeches and announcements

Address at 1992 Republican National Convention, Houston (August 17, 1992)
Reagan's remarks during his 83rd birthday gala (February 3, 1994)
Announcement of Alzheimer's disease (November 5, 1994)

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