While Presidents Day has traditionally been a day to remember two of America’s greatest presidents—George Washington and Abraham Lincoln; in recent years it has become a day to reflect upon all of the great presidents of the United States and their accomplishments. In that spirit, this Presidents Day seems to be the perfect occasion to reflect upon the presidency of Ronald Reagan, who would have turned 100 on February 6.
While Ronald Reagan has certainly become an icon among conservative Americans, he was also quite popular among most independent voters and even a good number of “Reagan-democrats.”
The tribute video linked to this page does a good job of celebrating the life and presidency of Ronald Reagan. It is worth watching for anyone who is a Reagan fan.
Though I certainly do consider Ronald Reagan one of our greatest presidents, I do not mean to suggest that I would rank him above the likes of George Washington or Abraham Lincoln. Our nation’s history has been marked by many great presidents (and many not so great presidents). In celebrating this Presidents Day, here are a few memorable quotes from past presidents that not only capture the true character of who they were but also the true spirit of the nation they envisioned the United States to be.
"No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the Affairs of men more than the People of the United States. Every step, by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency."
- George Washington
"Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right, from the frame of their nature, to knowledge, as their great Creator, who does nothing in vain, has given them understandings, and a desire to know."
- John Adams
"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. "
- Thomas Jefferson
"Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."
- James Madison
"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. "
- Abraham Lincoln
"In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility - I welcome it."
- John F Kennedy
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."
- Ronald Reagan
To read more quotes from America’s presidents and Founding Fathers, visit Rediscovering America.
Also, available now at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, is my new book In Their Own Words: The Wisdom and Passion of Our Founding Fathers. This book contains quotes and excerpts from historical documents that provide greater insight into the principles and values of America’s founding generation.
While Ronald Reagan has certainly become an icon among conservative Americans, he was also quite popular among most independent voters and even a good number of “Reagan-democrats.”
The tribute video linked to this page does a good job of celebrating the life and presidency of Ronald Reagan. It is worth watching for anyone who is a Reagan fan.
Though I certainly do consider Ronald Reagan one of our greatest presidents, I do not mean to suggest that I would rank him above the likes of George Washington or Abraham Lincoln. Our nation’s history has been marked by many great presidents (and many not so great presidents). In celebrating this Presidents Day, here are a few memorable quotes from past presidents that not only capture the true character of who they were but also the true spirit of the nation they envisioned the United States to be.
"No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the invisible hand, which conducts the Affairs of men more than the People of the United States. Every step, by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation, seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency."
- George Washington
"Liberty cannot be preserved without a general knowledge among the people, who have a right, from the frame of their nature, to knowledge, as their great Creator, who does nothing in vain, has given them understandings, and a desire to know."
- John Adams
"All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent. "
- Thomas Jefferson
"Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."
- James Madison
"America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. "
- Abraham Lincoln
"In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility - I welcome it."
- John F Kennedy
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same."
- Ronald Reagan
To read more quotes from America’s presidents and Founding Fathers, visit Rediscovering America.
Also, available now at Amazon and Barnes & Noble, is my new book In Their Own Words: The Wisdom and Passion of Our Founding Fathers. This book contains quotes and excerpts from historical documents that provide greater insight into the principles and values of America’s founding generation.
