U.S. Presidential speeches have historically been the most revered worldwide.

U.S. Presidential speeches have historically been the most revered worldwide.

According to Dr. Matthew Eshbaugh-Soha, professor of political science at the University of North Texas; Presidential speeches are a vital way to advocate for polices among legislatures, the public and the media. Speeches made by presidents are sometimes made during times of crisis, to welcome foreign leaders, and to inform the public regarding implementation of new policy. Eashbaugh-Soha argues that studies have found that presidential speeches do little to affect public support.

For me personally, I was never moved more by a presidential speech than that of Ronald Reagan in 1987 at the Berlin Wall in Germany. It was a time when the threat of nuclear war caused a riff between the Soviet Union and the U.S. It may have been more pronounced for me as my father was serving in the Air Force at the time and worked on the B-52 bombers that were armed with nuclear weapons.

It wasn’t just about the threat of nuclear war during the 80s, but also a sense that it was wrong to see people climbing the wall from East Germany to gain freedom in West Germany and being shot by guards on the eastern side.

My favorite part of Reagan’s speech was;

“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 — Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

Reagan spoke it with such conviction, that it moved me. Apparently it was moving enough to make many lists of famous presidential speeches.

Other Presidents that made the lists for best presidential speeches;

President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address

George Washington’s Farewell Address

Lyndon Johnson’s Voting Rights Speech

John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address