Speeches & Audio | Videos

Reagan Accepts Presidential Nomination (1:33)

After unsuccessfully seeking the presidential nomination in 1968 and 1976, Ronald Reagan was nominated at the Republican National Convention on September 7, 1980. In his acceptance speech, the former California governor tells American taxpayers that they do not exist to fund the federal government.

Listen to Similar Speeches & Audio

Your Parental Control settings do not allow you to view thiscontent.

Speeches & Audio (10)

  • Reagan Accepts Presidential Nomination
    Reagan Accepts Presidential Nomination

    Audio Clip (1:33)

    After unsuccessfully seeking the presidential nomination in 1968 and 1976, Ronald Reagan was nominated at the Republican National Convention on September 7, 1980. In his acceptance speech, the former California governor tells American taxpayers that they do not exist to fund the federal government.

    Audio Clip (1:33)
  • Reagan’s 1984 Presidential Nomination
    Reagan’s 1984 Presidential Nomination

    Audio Clip (0:57)

    On August 23, 1984, President Ronald Reagan accepts his party's nomination for a second term. In his speech at the Republican National Convention, President Reagan promises a "springtime of hope" for America.

    Audio Clip (0:57)
  • Kennedy and Nixon's Fourth Presidential Debate
    Kennedy and Nixon's Fourth Presidential Debate

    Audio Clip (5:39)

    On October 21, 1960, Sen. John F. Kennedy and Vice President Richard Nixon took part in the last of a series of the first televised presidential debates in U.S. history.

    Audio Clip (5:39)
  • Shirley Chisholm Runs for Presidential Nomination
    Shirley Chisholm Runs for Presidential Nomination

    Audio Clip (1:30)

    During her 1972 campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American congresswoman, promises to tell the truth about sex and race.

    Audio Clip (1:30)
  • Colin Powell Declines Presidential Bid
    Colin Powell Declines Presidential Bid

    Audio Clip (2:26)

    On November 8, 1995, Colin Powell put an end to speculation when he announced that he would not run for president in the next election.

    Audio Clip (2:26)
  • Obama's Inaugural Address
    Obama's Inaugural Address

    Audio Clip (2:16)

    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.

    Audio Clip (2:16)
  • Reagan’s Second Inaugural Address
    Reagan’s Second Inaugural Address

    Audio Clip (0:47)

    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."

    Audio Clip (0:47)
  • Reagan and Mondale in 1984 Presidential Debate
    Reagan and Mondale in 1984 Presidential Debate

    Audio Clip (1:15)

    On October 21, 1984, President Ronald Reagan and former Vice President Walter Mondale engage in their second nationally broadcast debate. When Henry Trewhitt of the Baltimore Sun asks the president about his advancing age, Reagan turns the question on its head by promising not to make an issue of his opponent’s youth and inexperience.

    Audio Clip (1:15)
  • Reagan and Carter in 1980 Presidential Debate
    Reagan and Carter in 1980 Presidential Debate

    Audio Clip (1:06)

    Held on October 28, 1980, the debate between former California governor Ronald Reagan and incumbent President Jimmy Carter covers the issues of inflation, the energy crisis and terrorism. In his closing statement, Reagan makes an impact when he poses this question: "Are you better off now than you were four years ago?"

    Audio Clip (1:06)
  • Nixon's Second Inaugural Address
    Nixon's Second Inaugural Address

    Audio Clip (1:42)

    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.

    Audio Clip (1:42)

Videos (10)

  • Franklin D. Roosevelt's Second Presidential Term
    Franklin D. Roosevelt's Second Presidential Term

    Video Clip (1:31)

    After Franklin D. Roosevelt was reelected in one of the greatest landslides in American history, he had a surprisingly shaky second term.

    Video Clip (1:31)
  • Reagan
    Reagan

    Video Clip (01:28:23)

    A portrait of America's 40th president depicting the most defining moments of his 93 years.

    Video Clip (01:28:23)
  • Kennedy's Summation
    Kennedy's Summation

    Video Clip (2:48)

    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.

    Video Clip (2:48)
  • Obama Makes History
    Obama Makes History

    Video Clip (3:42)

    President Barack Obama was elected the first African-American president of the United States on November 5, 2008, transcending centuries of inequality in America.

    Video Clip (3:42)
  • Ask Steve: Southern Strategy
    Ask Steve: Southern Strategy

    Video Clip (1:23)

    In this video clip from Ask Steve, the Southern Strategy is explained. It was the republican party's successful plan of getting the white southern population to shift their views from democratic to republican.

    Video Clip (1:23)
  • Kennedy on His Qualifications
    Kennedy on His Qualifications

    Video Clip (1:17)

    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.

    Video Clip (1:17)
  • Kennedy: Teachers' Salaries
    Kennedy: Teachers' Salaries

    Video Clip (1:32)

    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.

    Video Clip (1:32)
  • Kennedy on 'Extreme' Bills
    Kennedy on 'Extreme' Bills

    Video Clip (1:24)

    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.

    Video Clip (1:24)
  • Kennedy: Communism within the U.S.
    Kennedy: Communism within the U.S.

    Video Clip (0:50)

    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.

    Video Clip (0:50)
  • Nixon's Summation
    Nixon's Summation

    Video Clip (3:19)

    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.

    Video Clip (3:19)

Read More about Presidential Election Facts

Fun Facts about U.S. presidents and elections.

Go

Shop HISTORY