The Values That We Hold Dear - The 4th of July Presidential Speech.
Alex Shevelenko
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Today the United States turns 242 years old and it is an established tradition that the incumbent president will give a birthday speech.
The politics differ and the styles vary - but they touch on some poignant & recurring themes.
I have always respected the ability to deliver powerful ideas and values through the use of speech alone. This is despite that the fact that I founded a SaaS business that is innovating a new medium of communication!
Here are some of my personal favorites for you to check out on this special day.
Reagan 1986
Reagan’s address could not have taken place at a more turbulent moment in America’s history.
The American public had just seen the Challenger space shuttle explode on live television, the Reykjavik Summit loomed as the US tried to put together an arms control deal, and young film-goers the nation-over stared in awe as Ferris Bueller pulled off the unthinkable on his infamous “day off”.
Reagan focused on the nation’s unity in adversity, however, as he explained the bitter rivalry of Thomas Jefferson and John Adams in the elections.
Despite their hatred for each other, the two rekindled their friendship and it is this practice Reagan wished to remind America of as he said: “My fellow Americans, it falls to us to keep faith with them and all the great Americans of our past.”
JFK 1962
Going back 24 years we saw Kennedy extol virtues of national independence and free enterprise the world-over as he told his nation:
“For 186 years this doctrine of national independence has shaken the globe—and it remains the most powerful force anywhere in the world today. There are those struggling to eke out a bare existence in a barren land who have never heard of free enterprise, but who cherish the idea of independence.”
Frederick Douglass 1852
Allow me a slight detour from strictly presidential speeches.
Frederick Douglass’ words on July 4th 1852 challenged how far-reaching the assumed freedoms held by the many actually were.
While he referred to the founding fathers as “great” and “brave” he quickly informed his white audience of what he truly felt about the celebration of American virtues at a time when millions of slaves were still in chains:
"Fellow-citizens, pardon me, allow me to ask, why am I called upon to speak here to-day? What have I, or those I represent, to do with your national independence? Are the great principles of political freedom and of natural justice, embodied in that Declaration of Independence, extended to us? ... This Fourth [of] July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn. To drag a man in fetters into the grand illuminated temple of liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous anthems, were inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony. Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak to-day?"
Powerful words that tug expertly at the heartstrings. For a truly great cause too.
George Bush Sr. 1989
In 1989, amidst the aftermath of the Texas vs. Johnson Supreme Court Ruling which deemed the burning of the flag to be a crime, George Bush Sr. reminded the public:
“The Fourth of July is a time to rejoice in this success, which has inspired all who seek to break the shackles of totalitarian rule and breathe in the life-giving air of liberty.”
Bill Clinton 1993
In his address in 93, Clinton’s tone directly called on every American to work towards a stronger Union:
“...we can make the years ahead the best years our Nation has ever had if we can rise above cynicism and doubt… Our people have always known that Government could not solve all the problems and that all citizens had to be responsible to build this Nation together.”
George Bush 2001
Bush, however, looked back to the nation’s founders in a classic piece of national nostalgia and reflected on the state of the nation from their eyes:
“Our Founders would also be pleased to walk these streets again and to find, amid the problems of modern life, a familiar American spirit of faith and good works. They would see the signs of poverty and want, but also acts of great kindness and charity. They would see addiction and the wreckage it brings, but they would also see in the works of the religious groups and charities throughout this city the power that can rescue abandoned hopes and repair a broken life.
Barack Obama 2014
In his weekly address on July 4th, 2014, President Obama took a different angle and stressed the fundamental values early Americans held despite their differences as he said:
“Those early patriots may have come from different backgrounds and different walks of life, but they were united by a belief in a simple truth: that we are all created equal, that we are all endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, that among these rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…”
Like many before him, however, he also stressed the need to actively uphold these values:
“But our success is only possible because we have never treated those self-evident truths as self-executing. Generations of Americans have marched, organized, petitioned, fought, and even died to extend those rights to others, to widen the circle of opportunity for others, and to perfect this Union we love so much.”
Conclusion
Regardless of political leanings, there is much inspiration to be found in the words of these men. I hope one day soon we will also be studying the words of great women to have held this office too.
Despite the various differences in detail and personal touches we see across the above speeches, they all undoubtedly point towards certain fundamental American virtues - a clear set of values that Americans across the decades have stressed and held dear.
Liberty, unity and equality amongst all.
Have a great day folks
Alex
Sources
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6 年Happy Independence Day to all Americans!?
Project Manager| Board Member at SmartInks
6 年Definitely stealing some quotes from here.? ?Happy 4th of July !
Dry Cargo Broker at SSY - Simpson Spence Young
6 年Happy 4th of July! Excited to celebrate this day in the states one year soon!