Challenger: President Reagan's Challenger Disaster Speech - 1/28/86
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- Опубліковано 1 кві 2009
- President Reagan talks to the nation about the Challenger Disaster 1/28/86.
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This speech was written by Peggy Noonan, and she wasn't given much time to pull it off. Reagan delivered it brilliantly.
"I want to say something to the schoolchildren of America... I know it's hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen. It's all part of the process of exploration and discovery. It's all part of taking a chance and expanding man's horizons. The future doesn't belong to the faint hearted. It belongs to the brave."
Real leadership.
The words of a man who possessed the courage of his convictions and refused to "lead from behind" according to polling trends and political expediency. A true leader who wholeheartedly and unapologetically believed that Mankind must live free, despite the fact that freedom is often dangerous. #livedangerously
Thirty years later to the day and his speech is still powerful, stirring and heartfelt.
This is why he's called "the great communicator". He had a way with words and spoke well of them.
Also, he didn't believe he was a great communicator, he just communicated great things.
He really made you feel like he was talking to you, and only you, across a table at a diner or something, and truly meant every word he said. Unequaled by any president since.
my sentiments exactly!
the Sententious Vaunter That's what actors do.
Logan Carbin And leaders.
"The future doesn't belong to the faint-hearted; it belongs to the brave" President Ronald Reagan 1986. RIP Challenger crew, Ronnie, and Nancy
Isn't that what a leader sounds like? I tell my nephew about the leadership inspiration and faith of Mr. Reagan and I'm showing him this next time I see him in order that he can see what a President looks sounds and acts like.
Presidents just don't talk this way anymore....
+indyracingnut Agreed, this was before the sickness of political correctness took root.
Actually, President Obama has been praised for his heartfelt eloquence at times of national loss and sadness.
I barely remember Reagan, but I miss him. :-( One of the greatest.
What has always touched me about this speech, was that he addresses the children who were watching.
Granted I was only 5, but for the president to take a moment and talk to us like a grandfather figure letting us know that bad things do happen.
Presidents rarely show this much humanity.
I've heard all sorts of things about Reagan, good and bad, but this brought me to tears, and solidifies my belief that he was a great man.
30 years ago, unbelievable. I cried when I saw this then and I still do when I see it. This is what a REAL leader looks like! Easily - by far - the best president of my lifetime.
+supergolfdude - I can't agree with you more. A tragedy, a true tragedy. One I will not forget.
I wish to have lived during his time. Maybe back then America wasn't so orientated on crap like vines and s*x.
At age 53 now, that last sentence is the only phrase uttered by any U.S. president in my lifetime indelibly etched into my memory and heart....
The last few seconds of that kills me. A true statesman. He is missed.
Yeah, he died in 2004
He comforted when we needed comfort as this video shows, and he led us when we need to be led and got us to think when we had lost our aim, attitude and acceleration. He gave us hope. And he gave us a memory we shall never forget.
4:07 is my personal favorite Reagan moment of all time. I was a freshman in college when he delivered this speech. Being a typically liberal know-it-all college kid, I hated all things Republican back then. Still, that line at the end of this speech completely blew my 18 y.o. mind. No American President could ever pull off such an utterly profound line like that and make it work other than Ronald Wilson Reagan.
Bert Tully I was a senior in high school at the time and was also a brainwashed liberal. About five years later I realized what a truly great president Reagan was. The 80's wouldn't have been the 80's without Reagan.
+alexcncmac salcar Amen to that!!
+Bert Tully That last line was a quote from a poem called High Flight by John Gillespie Magee, Jr. an aviator. The poem is a favorite of pilots everywhere and was even used as a sign-off by a TV station in Boston in the '60s, back when stations actually signed off at the end of the day. Google the poem. It's very touching.
When you were born in the early 80's and saw this man on TV as a child, it formed your idea of what a president should be. At least it did with me.
This has long been considered one of the most powerful and moving speeches ever given by an American President. And after seeing it for the first time in 30 years I can understand why.
I think this is the greatest Oval Office speech delivered in the television age. Look into Reagan's eyes, you believe him. No other president in my lifetime (beginning with JFK) projected that sincerity. Kennedy was an eloquent speaker, glib but not fully sincere. LBJ and Nixon always sounded like politicians. Ford was just lost. Carter spoke like he was smarter than everyone. Bush Sr. and Jr., pfft. Clinton: See LBJ and Nixon. Obama: sounds like a very polished lawyer.
A magnificent speech by a magnificent American President. RIP Ronny.
Still tears me up after all these years. Amazing speech.
Is it possible to watch this speech without crying? Politics are not here; compassion and mourning is here. For a moment we put aside any "political" feelings... whether we agreed or disagreed (I agreed!) and focus on the loss of some of our real heroes and the one who recognized them. Each one has now slipped the bonds of earth... and while they are gone our memories continue for our lifetimes.
Amen
Yes. Say what you like about his politics, he played the part well.
This was back when speech writing was important and the writers didn't have to dumb everything down to a 3rd grade comprehension level.
Sam Cooper I was in 5th grade on this day. I didn't need it dumbed down to a 3rd grade level.
Christopher French I, too, were in the 5th grade. We were all watching this on television. It completely devastated us all. I'll never forget it.
This man was a master. Simple and powerful speech to a heartbroken nation.
I miss this Man. He was a Statesman, in the truest sense of the word. He loved his Country, and encouraged People to be their very best. I liked the message he had for the Kids who were watching at School, that day. This is the way we used to talk to Kids. Nowadays we would have a President that would assure us that Psychologists, School Counselors would be on hand to talk to the Children, who would probably be very traumatized, instead of treating the Kids Like President Reagan did, with respect, and with confidence that the Kids would understand what happened and that these People gave their lives, for something they thought, bigger then themselves.
Christobanistan
Exactly Right!
Great comment Daisy. Great.
I feel the same way! It was like having your Grandpa serving as President. Kind gentle soul, but you didn't want to piss him off either. You had a sense of security that we don't have now. You knew he had our Country's best interests at heart... again we don't have that now. Dear God... how i miss him and the 80's
Nice to remember time when America had a real president.
Thank you, not just to our late President for delivering it with grace and respect to the deceased, but to the amazing author Peggy Noonan for penning this amazing speech the day of the tragedy in such short order.
After all these years it still brings me to tears
"That" guy was in a whole different league. There was Reagan and then there was "the other guys".
I wish I could have used the eloquent words you used to express one of the great truths of the last century. Truly he was in a whole different league. We cheer and when he departed, we wept. He shall never be replaced and shall never be forgotten.
I saw this powerful and emotional speech the evening of the disaster. I have it on the same tape that I recorded the disaster itself on, which is nearly 7 hours. Very fitting and heartfelt. Peggy Noonan was a great speech writer. I was a fan of President Reagan, and voted for him twice. RIP Mr. Reagan, and all of the astronauts lost from Apollo 1, Challenger, and Columbia.
I will never be able to watch this without crying.
reagan always seemed like a "grandfather-like" president to me. he had a soft and comforting voice no matter the situation
What a great leader. I was only a child that day, but this brings the tears back.
I consider you lucky. You were at least lucky to live during RR's time. I wasn't on this planet when he was President, so now we have to face the worst today.
A REAL president. Oh how far we have sunk in 28 years. Alas for our poor country.
stan hankins Implying you could run a country? I guess you don't recall the massive amounts of debt he left behind for out nation.
The first time I saw the disaster on video with my parents a few months ago, I was just in shock. Last night, my Mom and I were reviewing my history and I saw his speech. I never felt sad over words in my life but by the words of, "And slipped the surly bonds of Earth to touch the Face of God". I wish we had all presidents like Reagan.
+CrystalMiner2364 AJ No you don't.
nutsackmania I don't what?
+CrystalMiner2364 AJ He's saying that Reagan wasn't a good president.
You can argue any point I suppose. And Reagan did have flaws. But I think he should be defined by his successes rather than his flaws, I consider him a good President.
+CrystalMiner2364 AJ That last line was a quote from a poem called High Flight by John Gillespie Magee, Jr. an aviator. The poem is a favorite of pilots everywhere and was even used as a sign-off by a TV station in Boston in the '60s, back when stations actually signed off at the end of the day. Google the poem. It's very touching.
"The Great Communicator" in one of his finest moments.
Ronald Reagan was a real good President.
We need another president like Reagan.
+Jonathan's Piano People like him are a rarity. We might not get another president like him for another fifty years.
Amazing speech, especially considering how quickly it had to be put together. Excellent work by Peggy Noonan.
He had a gift for compassion when it was needed. When he spoke, you felt it. It didn't feel fake or rushed. It felt like he was speaking directly to you and you could tell he cared. I can only hope my generation will see someone who will lead people with this type of demeanour.
One of the greatest speeches ever. I remember this when I was 12 years old. I had a great respect for Regan even though I am a democrat.
President Reagan was the greatest President in my lifetime. We miss him!!!!!!! RIP Nancy our beloved First Lady
How I miss the Reagan years, truly the greatest president ever. He loved this country and he loved all Americans deeply.Ronnie and Nancy are back together to continue there beautiful love story. RIP
I was a teenager when Mr. Reagan came to office and He is the President against whom I will always judge others and I'm sure all have and will be found wanting compared to his inspirational, faithful and freedom loving service. He was what a President looks, sounds and acts like.
President Reagan's last two lines were from the poem "High Flight" by 19 year old American pilot John Gillespie McGee (1922 - 1944):
OH! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun split clouds - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there
I've chased the shouting winfd along and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air....
Up, up the long delirious, burning blue
I've topped the wind swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark nor even eagle flew -
And while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and toughed the face of God.
The future doesn't belong to the faint hearted it belongs to the brave. God I miss Mr. Reagan!
President Reagan at his best.
he was so honest. a great man.
This is truly one of the best speeches I have ever heard.
I'm a Democrat, and I don't mind saying this is an incredible speech, especially the ending.
Amazing speech Reagan is one of the few presidents who knew what it meant to be a man of the people
He didn't just love a country, he loved its people and he was truly one of the finest men to ever obtain the title " PRESIDENT of the United States of America ".
God Bless you Sir.
Truly the greatest RIP Ronald Reagan.
Im from Scotland, I was 6 then and just got a challenger replica toy for Christmas. That was my first knowledge of death. We really used to look up to America in those days.
I may not have always agreed with his policies especially now as an adult but when I think back on Presidents that I have respected, Mr Reagan is always top of my list.
Rip Ron, Nancy
Whatever happened to humility like this?
+Caleb Joseph
Watch the interview of Peggy Noonan (who wrote the speech) ...she talks about the humility ...because Reagan understood it wasn't about him.
+Caleb Joseph Disappeared
Bill Clinton happened.
I sure miss Reagan. 😢 amazing president!!
we'll never have a president like this again.....he was like your daddy, your grandaddy, and yourself all rolled into one calming idea.
god bless
Reagan did & said much that was wrong, but he handled this perfectly. He did what presidents are supposed to do in times of tragedy, help us face it & heal. That final line is magnificent.
To Matthew H. -- President Reagan's speech-writer Peggy Noonan wrote this --.but every great writer strives to match the personality, cadence and the character of the individual who will be delivering the speech.
We need you now Mr. President.
The best president of these United States~
Nah JFK is first, Reagan comes in at a close second though.
gunsandcountry lol
+gunsandcountry i'm pretty sure lincoln and fdr have a leg up on reagan.
+Roger Edmonds Abraham Lincoln!
I know my party is very much into conspiracy and such, but the guy above me is seriously crazy.
What a touching speech... I've heard it was truly difficult for him... I miss President Reagan....
Believe me, he was one of my idols. I learned to love politics simply because of him. There will never be another Reagan.
One of the best political speeches I ever heared. It's a great gift, if a politician find the right words after this art of tragedies. Especially the quotation of the "High flight" poem touched my heart, every time I'm watching this broadcast.
I was born in 1980, and when I was a little kid, I always thought for some reason that he was my uncle or something. Not sure why, but he always seemed so relatable, even though I wasn't old enough to understand politics at all. Whether you agree with his politics or not, you can't deny that he truly WAS a great communicator.
I was one of those children. What a sad day. :(
I was in Catholic school when this utter disaster happened... we watched the speech stunned into total silence live...we prayed for an hour and a half..school day was cut short as panicked parents picked us up
I was in 9th grade religion class when this happened. We were watching it on TV.
say what you want about Reagans politics...no other leader..NO other leader could have pulled such a sobering national address like this...
What a beautiful speech.
I'm so thankful and blessed that this man was the President of the United States at this moment in history. What a beautiful speech by one of our greatest Presidents. God bless President Ronald Reagan.
One of the best lines ever in a Presidential speech - "slipped the surly bonds of Earth to touch the face of God." He was truly a great communicator.
P.S. Do the internet trolls really need to trash President Obama here, in this context, too?
Reagan was the greatest.
I remember sitting in my 2nd grade classroom watching the launch live. I was just a kid, but this is a day I will never forget!!
Brilliant speech. Brilliant President.
I agree...the only president I ever trusted and respected.
Few presidents have ever been able to connect to their citizens on the raw emotional level in the same way Reagan could. He showed his humanity without regret, a characteristic few if any other presidents could claim to possess.
Reagan's speach was pure poetry. Its so hard to imagine what happened as i was not yet born when this occured. Rest in Peace you brave seven men and women and Rest in Peace Mr. President.
I was 11 years old, and we were watching the shuttle take off that morning. Mrs. McAuliffe had been doing some lessons for U.S. school children, and we all sort of felt like she was "our" teacher. For me, I mostly remember seeing it happen, but not realizing anything was wrong (I'd never seen a shuttle take off before, so I thought it was SUPPOSED to do that) until the teachers went to the front of the room really quickly and shut off the TV. And then I remember Pres. Reagan's speech--and what a speech! To this day, I think it might be one of the finest speeches in American history.
I miss this great man so much! He is a hero of mine and always will be. I was just a boy during his Presidency but I remember distinctly being captivated by him as he gave his speeches.
I'd like to thank the crew of the Shuttle Challenger for being the brave and exemplifying the best of our nation in charting horizon thank you all and your family for being the brave.
Thank you to President Reagan for stead fast leadership and steadying the nation after a tragic loss of life and bringing to light the type of life style these brave men and women lived the demands and cost of the career they chose and how important it is.
I was just turned 16 when this tragedy happened, I still remember walking into our living room having left for a moment to get a cola from the fridge, then standing frozen to the spot for several minutes when it exploded as I re-entered the room. A moment in history i'll never forget.
God bless the Reagens. Our country is lost.
Incredible. Every school child should listen to his speeches.
GREAT COMMUNICATOR CONFIRMED
What great man President Reagan was, R.I.P Mr President.
Such an eloquent speaker. His speech, his voice and his face was evident of how much anguish he was feeling. And I love how he loved America. After him there was no one...we need another great president. Someone who loves this country from the depth of their soul. I love and I'm passionate about this country...why can't they love and are passionate about it too?
The Last Great President
I was one of those school children watching that day when the challenger exploded. I remember this speech when it was broadcasted what a comfort hearing his voice was to the nation that evening. Great man and great president.
I remember watching this tragedy and I remember this speech. I DID feel like he was speaking only to me. I still cry.
What an amazing man. That's a leader. A true leader.
The future doesn't belong to the faint hearted the future belongs to the brave...ugh I miss him
Reagan is a master at dealing with catastrophe.
His speech that night helped the nation, the children and myself after this tragedy of us losing our brave Astronauts.
that has to be one of the most moving and powerful speeches in American history
This speech is represenative of all Presidential Speeches up until this time. Addressing the tragedy and giving condoloences. There was alot of major changes after this event. Many hearings and even some finger pointing. That is a mark of Great Leadership. It is not an endorsment of anybody just outstanding leadership at work.
I remember when this happened and the country was in shock from the realization that the astronauts and teacher Christa McAuliffe had died on this mission. What kind compassion Mr. Reagan had to even try and help school children process and understand what had happened! Most of all, this causes me to mourn how far this country has slipped toward oblivion in the short time since we had leadership like Ronald Reagan's. Now every tragedy is politicized instead of comfort being offered to the mourners. Watching these speeches from the not-so-distant past always causes me to mourn deeply the loss of the America that seems to be dying -- as this great man did -- of dementia.
I love this video and this speech. I first heard the song and on this day January 18th 2011, on the 26th anniversary of the Challenger Explosion, I mourn the loss that people had that day 26 years ago. I truly love Ronald Reagan. We need another president like him. He is an inspiration to me and hopefully all of you. Thank you Owl City and Ronald Reagan. And ay all the glory be to God...
The best gifts come in small packages...Thank you Ron
I've read that this really ate at Reagan, but boy did he give a powerful speech when everyone in the nation was in a stunned state. RIP Mr. President.
I was 4 when this happened, in preschool. It was the first shuttle launch I'd ever seen. Like everyone, I was horrified, but I was so young that it scarred me (having seen no successful launches to compare it to). I remained fearful of and hesitant to learn about space and a lot of science, in fact, throughout elementary school. I did not see Reagan's speech at the time, but I wish I had. I think it might have made me less fearful. This was an amazing speech. I'm glad he directly addressed the school children who were watching it. I imagine this comforted people of all ages who watched.
I've been a lifelong Democrat, that is, until this last election. I'm a Bernie Sanders supporter of over ten years. But, even though I never agreed with too many of his policies, the man was great at a lot of things. Like this, bringing a nation together after a tragedy. How I miss having an actual adult in the office. Even if I didn't agree with him. Now this freak show that is happening now, it truly makes me sad. 100%, lost my love of politics and government
Every time I watched this speech I got tears.....