You’ve heard it so many times before: “The state of our union is strong,†or some variation thereof. But as The Times’s Binyamin Appelbaum notes, that phrasing is a more recent phenomenon. Here’s a look at the state of the union, according to the presidents, throughout history from his research.
George Washington, 1795: Every part of the Union displays indications of rapid and various improvement; and with burthens so light as scarcely to be perceived, with resources fully adequate to our present exigencies, with governments founded on the genuine principles of rational liberty, and with mild and wholesome laws, is it too much to say that our country exhibits a spectacle of national happiness never surpassed, if ever before equaled
James Monroe, 1823: If we compare the present condition of our Union with its actual state at the close of our Revolution, the history of the world furnishes no example of a progress in improvement in all the important circumstances which constitute the happiness of a nation which bears any resemblance to it.
Andrew Jackson, 1835: In performing my duty at the opening of your present session it gives me pleasure to congratulate you again upon the prosperous condition of our beloved country.
Franklin Pierce, 1855: It is matter of congratulation that the Republic is tranquilly advancing in a career of prosperity and peace.
James Buchanan, 1860: The Union of the Stat! es, which is the source of all these blessings, is threatened with destruction.
Abraham Lincoln, 1862: Since your last annual assembling another year of health and bountiful harvests has passed, and while it has not pleased the Almighty to bless us with a return of peace, we can but press on, guided by the best light He gives us, trusting that in His own good time and wise way all will yet be well.
Andrew Johnson, 1865: It is therefore a source of profound regret that in complying with the obligation imposed upon the President by the Constitution to give to Congress from time to time information of the state of the Union I am unable to communicate any definitive adjustment satisfactory to the American people, of the questions which since the close of the rebellion have agitated the public mind. On the cntrary, candor compels me to declare that at this time there is no Union as our fathers understood the term, and as they meant it to be understood by us.
Benjamin Harrison, 1889: There are few transactions in the administration of the Government that are even temporarily held in the confidence of those charged with the conduct of the public business. Every step taken is under the observation of an intelligent and watchful people.The state of the Union is known from day to day, and suggestions as to needed legislation find an earlier voice than that which speaks in these annual communications of the President to Congress.
Theodore Roosevelt, 1901: We are now indeed one Nation, one in fact as well as in name; we are united in our devotion to the flag which is the symbol of national greatness and unity; and the very completeness of our uni! on enable! s us all, in every part of the country, to glory in the valor shown alike by the sons of the North and the sons of the South in the times that tried men’s souls.
Woodrow Wilson, 1918: The year that has elapsed since I last stood before you to fulfill my constitutional duty to give to the Congress from time to time information on the state of the Union has been so crowded with great events, great processes, and great results that I cannot hope to give you an adequate picture of its transactions or of the far-reaching changes which have been wrought of our nation and of the world.
Calvin Coolidge, 1928: No Congress of the United States ever assembled, on surveying the state of the Union, has met with a more pleasing prospect than that which appears at the present time.
Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1941: Therefore, as your President, performing my constitutional duty to “give to the Congress information of the state of the Union,†I find it, unhappily, necessary to report that the future and the safety of our country and of our democracy are overwhelmingly involved in events far beyond our borders.
Harry Truman, 1950: I am happy to be able to report to you today that the state of the Union continues to be good. Our Republic continues to increase in the enjoyment of freedom within its borders, and to offer strength and encouragement to all those who love freedom throughout the world.
Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1957: The State of the Union, at the opening of the 85th Congress continues to vindicate the wisdom of the principles on which this Republic is rounded.
John F. Kennedy, 1963: And today, having witnessed in recent months a heightened respect for our national purpose and power-having seen the courageous calm of a united people in a perilous hour-and having observed a steady improvement in the opportunities and well-being of our citizens-I can report to you that the state of this old but youthful Union, is good. (At 1:37 in video.)
Lyndon Johnson, 1965: This, then, is the state of the Union: Free and restless, growing and full of hope. So it was in the beginning. So it shall always be, while God is willing, and we are strong enough to keep the faith. (At 48:19 in video.)
Johnson, 1967: I have come here tonight to report to you that this is a time of testing for our Nation. (At 0:43 in video.)
Richard Nixon, 1973: The basic state of our Union today is sound, and full of promise.
Gerald Ford, 1975: Today, that freshman Member from Michigan stands where Mr. Truman stood, and I must say to you that the state of the Union is not good: Millions of Americans are out of work. Recession and inflation are eroding the money of millions more. Prices are too high, and sales are too slow. (At 1:47 in video.)
Jimmy Carter, 1979: Tonight, there is every sign that the state of our Union is sound. (At 1:14 in video.)
Ronald Reagan, 1982: And ! that is why I can report to you tonight that in the near future the state of the Union and the economy will be betterâ€"much betterâ€"if we summon the strength to continue on the course that we’ve charted. (At 10:25 in video.)
Reagan, 1986: I am pleased to report the state of our Union is stronger than a year ago and growing stronger each day. (At 2:05 in video.)
Reagan, 1988: Tonight then, we’re strong, prosperous, at peace, and we are free. This is the state of our Union. (At 8:22 in video.)
Bill Clinton, 1994: What is the state of our Union It is growing stronger, but it must be stronger still. With your help and God’shelp, it will be. (At 1:04:27 in video.)
Clinton, 2000: My fellow Americans, the state of our Union is the strongest it has ever been. (At 6:28 in video.)
George W. Bush, 2002: As we gather tonight, our Nation is at war; our economy is in recession; and the civilized world faces unprecedented dangers. Yet, the state of our Union has never been stronger. (At 0:29 in video.)
Bush, 2005: Tonight, with a healthy, growing economy, with more Americans going back to work, with our Nation an active force for good in the world, the state of our Union is confident and strong. (At 1:23 in video.)
Bush, 2007: We’ve met challenges and faced dangers, and we know that more lie ahead. Yet we can go forward with confidence, because the State of our Union is strong; our cause in the world is right; and tonight that cause goes on. (At 49:14 in video.)
Barack Obama, 2010: It’s because of this spirit, this great decency and great strength, that I have never been more hopeful about America’s future than I am tonight. Despite our hardships, our Union is strong. We do not give up. We do not quit. We do not allow fear or division to break our spirit. (At 5:27 in video.)
Obama, 2012: The state of our Union is getting stronger. And we’ve come too far to turn back now. (At 3:37 in video.)
