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As the President of the United States, Reagan earned the nickname "The Great Communicator" due to his unprecedented ability to convey his beliefs concerning economic and domestic policies to the American public.

Reagan used his speaking ability to explain the important policies of his administration. Speaking directly to the American people as a "citizen-president," Reagan delivered addresses that conveyed hisviews of national security, the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), economic policies, and the nation's war on drugs. Delivered with a sincerity uncharacteristic of the stereotypical politician, Reagan's speeches profoundly influenced the nation's confidence not only in themselves, but also in the President's own ideologies and leadership abilities.

One of Reagan's first speeches as President, this speech on economic recovery, delivered on April 28, 1981, outlines Reagan's plans for the nation's fiscal programs.

President Reagan's brief comments on the anniversary of the Strategic Defense Initiative.

Reagan's televised address on national security of March 23, 1983 is best known for its proposal of the Star Wars program.

The Reagans often appeared together in public, but on the evening of September 14, 1986, they spoke together on national television to combat the war against drugs.

The most important addresses made by the President of the United States include his inaugural address(es) and annual State of the Union addresses. Ronald Reagan utilized these opportunities to introduce his administration's goals and influence the direction toward which he believed America should move.

Reagan's First Inaugural Address, delivered to the American public January 20, 1981.

Reagan's first State of the Union address repeated and elaborated upon his message of reform.

Although he was inaugurated on January 20, 1985, as per the Constitution, the ceremonies were preempted by Super Bowl Sunday. Reagan re-enacted the inauguration and all the ceremonies, including delivering his second inaugural address, on January 21 for a national audience.

Ronald Reagan also led the nation through some of its most challenging times in recent history, including the explosion of the space shuttle

Reagan's remarks after Korean Air Flight 007 was shot down in Soviet airspace on September 5, 1983.

Reagan's remarks after the April 18, 1983 terrorist bombing of the U.S. Embassy in Beirut.

Reagan's initial televised remarks on the night of the Challenger disaster, January 28,1986.

Reagan's eulogies for the Challenger Seven at Johnson Space Center on January 31,1986.

The Iran-Contra speech represents an anomaly for Ronald Reagan's rhetoric. Despite Reagan's best efforts, the polls indicated that his popularity continued to fall. Reagan's skills as a "great communicator" failed when the content of his message did not coincide with the President's particualr ideological beliefs.

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