The Great Communicator at His Best

Some of the the 40th President's most memorable speeches are embedded below.

Visit the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Library for more. The Foundation and Library will celebrate Reagan's 100th birthday during the weekend of Feb. 4.

On the Explosion of Space Shuttle Challenger, January 28, 1986: The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and "slipped the surly bonds of earth" to "touch the face of God."
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On East-West Relations at the Brandeburg Gate, June 12, 1987: "There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace. General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!"
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Eureka College Commencement Address, May 9, 1982:"I let football and other extracurricular activities eat into my study time with the result that my grade average was closer to the C level required for eligibility than it was to straight As. And even now I wonder what I might have accomplished if I'd studied harder."
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From Q&A at Moscow State University: "A people free to choose will always choose peace."
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At 40th Anniversary of Normandy Invasion: "Democracy is worth dying for, because it's the most deeply honorable form of government ever devised by man."
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Farewell Address, Jan. 11, 1989: "And let me offer lesson number one about America: All great change in America begins at the dinner table."
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On National Defense, March 23, 1983: "The defense policy of the United States is based on a simple premise: The United States does not start fights. We will never be an aggressor. We maintain our strength in order to deter and defend against aggression -- to preserve freedom and peace."
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Mondale-Reagan Debate, Oct. 21, 1984: "I want you to know that also I will not make age an issue of this campaign. I am not going to exploit, for political purposes, my opponent's youth and inexperience." Full Speech Text

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