Ford's Inaugural Address
On August 9, 1974, after the resignation of President Richard Nixon, Vice President Gerald Ford takes the oath of office and reassures the American people that "our long national nightmare is over." For the first time in U.S. history, a non-elected vice president became president of the country.
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Ford's Inaugural Address
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On August 9, 1974, after the resignation of President Richard Nixon, Vice President Gerald Ford takes the oath of office and reassures the American people that "our long national nightmare is over." For the first time in U.S. history, a non-elected vice president became president of the country.
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Nixon's Second Inaugural Address
Nixon's Second Inaugural AddressAudio Clip (1:42)
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After a landslide reelection victory, incumbent President Richard Nixon stresses America's role in the pursuit of world peace during his second inaugural address, delivered on January 20, 1973.
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Reagan’s First Inaugural Address
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With the country discouraged by high inflation, unemployment, gas shortages and the Iran hostage crisis, former California governor Ronald Reagan easily defeated incumbent President Jimmy Carter in the 1980 election. In his inaugural address on January 20, 1981, President Reagan promises to limit the reach of the federal government.
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Nixon’s First Inaugural Address
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After losing his first presidential bid to John F. Kennedy in 1960, former Vice President Richard Nixon brought the Republican Party back into power with a win in the 1968 presidential election. On January 20, 1969, he takes the oath of office and promises to heal a divided nation.
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Roosevelt Elected to Third Term
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From WGN Chicago on November 7, 1940, news reporter Fulton Lewis Jr. details the historic third-term election of Franklin D. Roosevelt as president of the United States.
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Lyndon Johnson's Inaugural Address
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On January 20, 1965, Lyndon B. Johnson began his first elected term as president of the United States. In his inaugural address, Johnson calls for the nation to unite toward a common goal.
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Reagan’s Second Inaugural Address
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Defeating Democratic nominee Walter Mondale with an unprecedented electoral vote margin, President Ronald Reagan secured a second term as president of the United States. In his inaugural address on January 21, 1985, Reagan introduces the idea of a "new American emancipation."
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Truman's Inaugural Address
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On January 20, 1949, beginning his second term, President Harry Truman denounces communism and presents a program for peace in his inaugural address.
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George W. Bush's First Inaugural Address
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After an unprecedented 36-day legal battle over the 2000 presidential election results, the U.S. Supreme Court declared George W. Bush the winner. In his inaugural address on January 20, 2001, President Bush pledges to bring unity to the nation.
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Obama's Inaugural Address
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On January 20, 2009, Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States and the nation's first African-American president. In his inaugural address, he reminds Americans that he is taking office "in the midst of crisis" but offers hope in meeting the challenge.
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View and listen to President Nixon's resignation speech in its entirety from the White House.
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Kennedy: Teachers' Salaries
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John F. Kennedy answers back to Nixon's accusation of supporting federal control of teacher salaries. Kennedy explains that was not the question before the Senate in February, the issue was whether to give federal aid to the state to support education.
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Kennedy's Summation
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This John F. Kennedy vs. Richard Nixon 1960 presidential debate History Channel video shows Senator Kennedy speaking about the importance of the Social Security Act of 1935 and now was the time to do something for elderly medical care.
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Kennedy on His Qualifications
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See President John F. Kennedy respond to Richard Nixon's accusations that he is immature and ill-qualified to be President of the United States in this debate video. Kennedy explains how they both came to Congress in 1946.
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Kennedy: Fiscal Policy
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Watch Senator Kennedy discuss the federal budget in his 1960 debate with Vice President Richard Nixon in this video. Kennedy explains how the hard money policies of Nixon and the Eisenhower Administration helped slow down the economy.
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Kennedy on 'Extreme' Bills
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Senator John F. Kennedy debates that none of the bills proposed by Nixon were extreme like Nixon was suggesting. Kennedy uses Nixon's proposals of $1.25 an hour plan, federal aid to education, and medical care for the aged to prove his point.
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Senator John F. Kennedy talks about the internal threat that communism poses to national security. Kennedy describes that these internal factions are serious and should be taken care of by supporting laws that the U.S. has already passed.
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Listen to the important issues in 1960 in this History Channel video of one of the first televised debates, which took place between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy. The video shows Nixon stating his views from the Soviet Union to health insurance.
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In his opening statement during the first of four "Great Debates" between the two candidates in 1960, Richard Nixon agrees with John F. Kennedy's view of international affairs but disputes the notion that the country's growth has been stagnant.
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