Frederick Douglass shared that the Fourth of July may have certain meaning to some but a different meaning to others.

Susan B. Anthony's "On Women's Right to Vote" – excerpt from "Norman Rockwell in Virtual Reality - The Four Seasons"

In-mut-too-yah-lat-lat (Chief Joseph) elaborated on the need to acknowledge native Americans.

Franklin D. Roosevelt discussed how much democracy has endured.

Margaret Chase Smith explained how Americans need to think as citizens and not by political party.

Dwight D. Eisehower gave his farewell address, elaborating on uniting despite differences and providing opportunity to all.

John F. Kennedy emphasized the shared fight against the threats to the nation and why freedom, a value meaningful to the nation, must be protected.

John F. Kennedy described the enriching benefits and long lasting impact of Peace Corps.

Martin Luther King, Jr. called the country to act on the issue of racial injustice.

Richard Nixon gave his first inaugural address, speaking on the importance of bringing the country together and ending segregation, discrimination, and injustice.

Barbara Jordan emphasized her trust in the Constitution.

Gerald Ford justified to the people that the American democratic system works as he spoke of restoring the nation after the Watergate scandal.

Ronald Reagan spoke about how service is ingrained in the history of the United States, and how a dedication to giving back should be restored.

Jimmy Carter's Farewell Address spoke on the subject of human rights and how America was born from the concept.

Ronald Reagan in his Westminster address elaborated on the importance of deciding upon individual beliefs while simultaneously coming together despite differences.

George H.W. Bush's first inaugural address emphasized the timelessness of national programs.

Bill Clinton gave his first inaugral address and spoke on the subject of American renewal.

President Clinton delivers remarks at the National Service Bill signing ceremony, which would lay the foundation for what would become AmeriCorps.

In his 1996 State of the Union, Bill Clinton pushed schools to have character education programming.

George W. Bush, during his 2002 State of the Union, calls Americans to give back suggesting participation in the USA Freedom Corps.

President George W. Bush spoke on the 20th anniversary of the National Endowment for Democracy, elaborating on the foundation of the American democracy and the nation's fundamental values.

Justice Sandra Day O'Connor speaks about reintroducing the importance of civic education to American schools.

Barack Obama shared how he discovered the importance of citizenship and how the Americorps leads Americans to this same discovery.

Barack Obama gave his farewell address to the American people on January 10, 2017. At this moment during his speech, he emphasized the importance of looking after our democracy.

Many of Martin Luther King Jr.’s closest advisers reflect on the great American leader and their shared quest for a better country.

Collection curated by the Hoover Institution