Ronald Reagan conveyed an optimism that Americans haven’t seen in a president since. He found a way to unite us in spite of our differences.
Thanksgiving At the White House – 1985
President Reagan’s 1985 Thanksgiving Day address from the White House is the perfect example of that.
In the address, Reagan demonstrates humility and gratitude for living in the greatest nation on earth.
You’ll hear the Great Communicator mention God, religious liberty, and limited government in this eloquent short speech.
He wasn’t worried about being politically correct or offending atheists. Thanksgiving is a time to express our gratitude!
“Good morning, everyone. You know, the Statue of Liberty and this wonderful holiday called Thanksgiving go together naturally because although as Americans we have many things for which to be thankful, none is more important than our liberty. Liberty: that quality of government, that brightness of mind and spirit for which the Pilgrim Fathers braved the seas and Americans for two centuries have laid down their lives.
“Today, while religion is suppressed in perhaps one third of the world, we Americans are free to worship the Almighty as we choose. While entire nations must endure the yoke of tyranny, we are free to speak our minds, to enjoy an unfettered and vigorous press, and to make government abide by the limits we deem just. While millions live behind walls, we remain free to travel throughout the land to share this precious day with those we love most deeply – the members of our families.
My fellow Americans, let us keep this Thanksgiving Day sacred. Let us thank God for the bounty and goodness of our nation. And as a measure of our gratitude, let us rededicate ourselves to the preservation of this: the land of the free and the home of the brave.
From the Reagan family to your family: happy Thanksgiving and God bless you all.”
Ronald Reagan’s 1985 Thanksgiving Video
You can watch Ronald Reagan’s full 1985 Thanksgiving Day Address in all its glory here:
We need to be grateful for and recognize the liberties that we still have here in America.
And we, as proud Americans, need to pray that our liberties will only expand under current and future presidents.
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