State of the Union Addresses

by Ronald Reagan

State of the Union Addresses of Ronald Reagan

The addresses are separated by three asterisks: ***

Dates of addresses by Ronald Reagan in this eBook:

[January 26, 1982]
[January 25, 1983]
[January 25, 1984]
[February 6, 1985]
[February 4, 1986]
[January 27, 1987]
[January 25, 1988]

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State of the Union Address
Ronald Reagan
January 26, 1982

Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, distinguished Members of the Congress, honored guests, and fellow citizens:

Today marks my first State of the Union address to you, a constitutional duty as old as our Republic itself.

President Washington began this tradition in 1790 after reminding the Nation that the destiny of self-government and the "preservation of the sacred fire of liberty" is "finally staked on the experiment entrusted to the hands of the American people." For our friends in the press, who place a high premium on accuracy, let me say: I did not actually hear George Washington say that. But it is a matter of historic record.