Seven (Actually, Eight) Historic Videos to Celebrate the 30th Anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s Inauguration

On this day in 1981, a truly great man became President of the United States. To celebrate, here are a few videos.

This was Reagan’s coming-out political moment, his speech on behalf of Goldwater in 1964, which includes the great line about the “soup kitchen of the welfare state.”

And here’s a clip from his inauguration, where he says something that most Republicans forgot.

Here’s his famous “tear down this wall” speech in Germany.

Here’s a heartwarming video about Reagan’s use of humor.

And, speaking of humor, here are his famous lines from his 1980 debate with Carter and his 1984 debate with Mondale.

Let’s close with Reagan’s incredibly moving D-Day speech about the “boys of Pointe du Hoc.”

October 2015 Update: I can’t resist adding this video because it perfectly captures Reagan’s wisdom.

Captures the spirit of these cartoons, I think you’ll agree.