Ronald Reagan's Greatest Speeches

Ronald Reagan has been an inspiration to countlessAnother example of his great speeches happened
millions the world over. Nicknamed the Greatmany years before he ran for the Presidency. It
Communicator, he had the ability to deliver movinghappened on 10/27/64. Titled "A Time For Choosing",
speeches that touched the hearts of the massesit was a televised campaign address for the
with their direct style, humor and sincerity. During hisGoldwater Presidential Campaign. This title was very
long career in politics, he gave a great manyappropriate and was the theme of the entire speech.
speeches - some of which rose to the level ofIn it Reagan explains to the American people who he
greatness. Perhaps the most memorable phrase onechose to no longer be a Democrat but rather is
recalls when thinking of Ronald Reagan comes fromchoosing to embrace the Republican ideals of a small,
his speech of 6/12/87. Here in an address at thenon-invasive government that serves the people, not
Brandenburg Gate (Berlin Wall) in Berlin, he uttereda large government that dominates and wears down
the phrase "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" tothe people's greatness, creativity and desire to reach
the thundering applause of all people who were freebeyond themselves to become something greater
or sought to be free of tyranny.than they ever imagined possible.
But this is not the only great moment from hisHe railed against the constant growth happening in
speeches.every department and how this growth of
Like many presidents who serve, there are tragicgovernment was hurting, not helping, the great
moments that must be dealt with - moments thatcountry of the United States of America. In his own
help heal a grieving nation. And Ronald Reagan'swords: "You and I have a rendezvous with destiny.
presidency was no exception. On 1/28/86, just hoursWe will preserve for our children this, the last best
after the tragedy he delivered the Address to thehope of man on Earth, or we will sentence them to
Nation on the Explosion of the Space Shuttletake the last step into a thousand years of
"Challenger" from the Oval Office. This speech was adarkness."
poignant speech full of sadness at the tragedy thatSome of Ronald Reagan's other greatest speeches
had occurred just hours earlier. But it was also aninclude his speech on 5/28/84 where he delivered
uplifting speech, giving the Americans and the worldremarks honoring the Vietnam War's Unknown Soldier
the face of courage in adversity and hammeredat the Arlington National Cemetery and his two
home the bravery of these fine men and womenspeeches on 6/6/84 where he memorialized our
who take enormous risks every day for thebrave soldiers who gave their life on D-Day 40 years
betterment of all mankind.before.
During this speech, he masterfully tied in the risks ofAnd of course this list of great speeches would not
exploration with the need for seeking out thebe complete without mention of the speech on 1/11
unknown and he put the event in its proper place in89; Ronald Reagan's Farewell Address to the Nation
history by pointing out that on this day 390 yearsfrom the Oval Office. In this speech, you could tell
ago, the great explorer Sir Francis Drake died aboardthat after eight years, he was still humbled by the
his ship off the coast of Panama. That one linegreat office of the Presidency of the United States
showed the value of the courage of these men andand still swelled with the honor the American people
women and the risks that they take to help open upgave to him, allowing him to serve them for the past
and explore new frontiers that will benefit all mankind.eight years.