Inaugural Address: Ronald Reagan - HISTORY

Excerpts from Ronald Reagon's inaugural address on Tuesday, January 20, 1981.

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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.

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."

On January 11, 1989, President Ronald Reagan, who at nearly 78, was the oldest person ever to hold the nation's highest office, gave his final address to the American people.

An excerpt from Barack H. Obama's inaugural address on Tuesday, January 20, 2009.

Excerts from Richard Nixon's first inaugural address on Monday, January 20, 1969.

Excerpts from Harry Truman's inaugural address on Thursday, January 30, 1940.