United States Oval Office Address Explained

An Oval Office address is a type of speech made from a president of the United States, usually in the Oval Office at the White House. It is considered among the most solemn settings for an address made by a leader, and is most often delivered to announce a major new policy initiative, on the occasion of a leader's departure from office, or during times of national emergency (natural disaster, war, etc.).[1]

On occasions of national interest, U.S. presidents may decide to speak to the American people directly. Often in addresses to the nation, the president speaks directly into the camera and begins with the phrase, "My fellow Americans...".

Use of the Oval Office

Presidents have used addresses in the Oval Office of the White House as a way to directly communicate with the American people. It is considered to be a major address and it functions as a way to move public opinion by having a direct connection with the president of the United States (compare Bully pulpit).[2] Presidential historian Robert Dallek stated, “The Oval Office invokes the center of the presidential authority. That's the president's office, that's where he supposedly makes decisions, where he governs.”[3] As the formal executive office of the president, the Oval Office sets the tone for any address to the American people. It is also where the president will communicate national news such as terrorist attacks, and each president usually gives their farewell speech in the Oval Office.

The first Oval Office address was delivered to the nation by President Herbert Hoover, who spoke on peace efforts and arms reduction throughout the world.[4] President Dwight D. Eisenhower used the format in 1957 to inform the United States of his decision to send troops to Little Rock to enforce school desegregation.[5] Being only the second ever televised address directly from the president's office, Eisenhower had to explain as much to the audience, saying, "in speaking from the house of Lincoln, of Jackson, of Wilson, my words would better convey both the sadness I feel today in the actions I feel compelled to make, and the firmness with which I intend to pursue this course."

Some previous addresses include John F. Kennedy's 1962 news of the Cuban Missile Crisis, Jimmy Carter's 1979 "Malaise" speech, Ronald Reagan's speech following the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster in 1986, George W. Bush's Address to the Nation on the evening of the 2001 September 11 terrorist attacks[6] and Barack Obama's June 2010 speech addressing the issue of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.[7]

Traditionally, the addresses are delivered with the president sitting at the Resolute desk speaking into the camera. Occasionally, however, the president will stand at a lectern on the opposite side of the Oval Office and give the address. Previously, it was also common for an artificial background to be placed behind the president, ordinarily consisting of plain blue fabric. Since the administration of Gerald Ford, the preference has instead been for the natural backdrop of the Office's windows.

Modern format

There have been suggestions that the traditional Oval Office address is falling out of favor in the Information Age, with White House aide Daniel Pfeiffer describing it as "an argument from the '80s", when President Ronald Reagan would draw tens of millions of viewers per address (42 in all, the second-most of any president; Nixon ranks first, having given 43).[8] Television networks are increasingly reluctant to sacrifice airtime for a political purpose. In recent years, many major speeches have been made in White House settings besides the Oval Office; President Obama often did so from the East Room, as in his announcement of the death of Osama bin Laden; Trump preferred to use the Diplomatic reception room. During his presidency, President Joe Biden has used the White House Cross Hall or Roosevelt Room for major addresses.[9] [10]

However, the tradition of the prime-time Oval Office address has continued into the Trump and Biden presidencies. The address of January 8, 2019, during the government shutdown was the first time that Trump requested airtime.[11] The address of June 2, 2023, during the debt-ceiling crisis was the first time that Biden requested airtime.

List of Oval Office addresses

President Date Subject
Joe BidenJuly 24, 2024 On his decision to no longer seek reelection
July 14, 2024On the attempted assassination of Donald Trump
October 19, 2023On the 2023 Israel–Hamas war and Russian invasion of Ukraine
June 2, 2023On Congressional approval of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023
Donald TrumpMarch 11, 2020On the coronavirus pandemic
January 8, 2019On the Government Shutdown and the Proposed United States-Mexico Border wall
Barack ObamaDecember 6, 2015On the United States Counterterrorism Strategy
August 31, 2010On United States Policy towards Iraq
June 15, 2010On the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
George W. BushSeptember 13, 2007On the War in Iraq
September 11, 2006On the Five Year anniversary of the September 11th attacks
May 15, 2006 On Immigration, Border Security, drug policy, and the drug war in Mexico
December 18, 2005On the elections in Iraq
March 19, 2003Start of war against Iraq
September 11, 2001On the terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C
Bill ClintonJanuary 18, 2001 Farewell address
June 10, 1999On the peace agreement in Kosovo
March 24, 1999 On the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia
December 16, 1998Start of a US and British Bombing Campaign against Iraq
August 20, 1998U.S Cruise missile strikes on Afghanistan and Sudan
November 27, 1995 On the Dayton Agreement
June 13, 1995On the Federal Budget
December 15, 1994Announcing a Middle Class Bill of Rights initiative
October 10, 1994On Iraq
September 18, 1994 On the peaceful capitulation of the Hatian government
September 15, 1994 Ultimatum to the government of Haiti
October 7, 1993On the battle of Mogadishu
August 3, 1993On the Balanced Budget Plan
June 26, 1993 US Strike on Iraq
February 15, 1993On the National economic program
George H. W. BushDecember 4, 1992On the crisis in Somalia
September 1, 1992On Hurricane Andrew disaster relief
May 1, 1992On the riots in Los Angeles
December 25, 1991On the Collapse of the Soviet Union
September 27, 1991 On Reducing US and Soviet nuclear weapons
September 13, 1991Nomination of Robert Gates as CIA Director[12]
February 27, 1991End of war in the Persian Gulf
January 16, 1991 Start of war in the Persian Gulf
October 2, 1990On the Federal Budget Agreement
September 12, 1990Message to the people of Iraq
August 8, 1990On the crisis in the Persian Gulf
December 20, 1989 On the United States invasion of Panama
September 5, 1989On drugs
Ronald ReaganJanuary 11, 1989Farewell address
February 2, 1988On aid to the Nicaraguan Democratic Resistance
December 10, 1987On the Soviet-United States Summit Meeting
October 14, 1987Nomination of Robert Bork to the United States Supreme Court
August 12, 1987On the Iran Contra Affair and the Administration Goals
June 15, 1987On the Venice Economic Summit, Arms Control, and the Deficit
March 4, 1987On the Iran-Contra Affair
December 2, 1986On the Investigation into the Iran-Contra Affair
November 13, 1986On the Iran-Contra Affair
November 2, 1986On the Congressional and Gubernatorial Midterm Elections[13]
October 13, 1986On meetings with Gorbachev in Iceland
June 24, 1986Aid to the Contras
April 14, 1986United States airstrike against Libya
March 16, 1986On the Situation in Nicaragua
February 26, 1986On National Security
January 28, 1986On the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster
November 14, 1985On the upcoming Soviet-United States meeting in Geneva
June 30, 1985On the Hijacking of Trans World Airlines Flight 847
May 28, 1985On tax reform
April 24, 1985On Federal Budget and Deficit Reduction
November 5, 1984 On the eve of the Presidential Election
May 9, 1984 On United States Policy in Central America
January 29, 1984Decision to seek re-election
October 27, 1983On recent events in Lebanon and Grenada
September 5, 1983On the Soviet attack on a Korean Civilian Airliner
March 23, 1983On Defense and National Security
November 22, 1982On Strategic Arms Reduction and Nuclear Deterrence
October 13, 1982On the economy
September 20, 1982Announcing the formation of a Multinational Force in Lebanon
August 16, 1982On Federal Tax and Budget Reconciliation Legislation
April 29, 1982On the 1983 Fiscal Budget
December 23, 1981Observance of Christmas and the Situation in Poland
September 24, 1981On the Program for Economic Recovery
July 27, 1981On Federal Tax Reduction Legislation
February 5, 1981 On the economy
Jimmy CarterJanuary 14, 1981Farewell Address
April 25, 1980 On the failed rescue attempt of American hostages in Iran
January 4, 1980On the Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
October 1, 1979On the Strategic Arms Limitation Agreement
July 15, 1979 On Consumerism and the Crisis of Confidence
April 5, 1979On Energy
November 8, 1977Announcing a National Energy Policy
April 18, 1977On Energy
Gerald FordOctober 6, 1975On Federal Tax and Spending Regulations
May 27, 1975On Energy
May 15, 1975On the Recovery of the SS Mayaguez
March 29, 1975On Signing the Tax Reduction Act of 1975
January 13, 1975On Energy, Inflation, and the Economy
September 16, 1974Pardoning of Vietnam War draft evaders
September 8, 1974 Pardoning of Richard Nixon
Richard NixonAugust 8, 1974 Announcing the resignation of the Presidency
July 25, 1974On Inflation and the Economy.
July 3, 1974On Returning From the Soviet Union.
July 2, 1974Message to the People of the Soviet Union
April 29, 1974Announcing Answer to the House Judiciary Committee Subpoena (Watergate)
November 25, 1973Announcing a National Energy Policy
November 7, 1973Announcing Policies To Deal With the Energy Shortages
October 12, 1973Nomination of Gerald Ford as Vice President of the United States
August 15, 1973On the Watergate Investigations
June 13, 1973Announcing Price Control Measures
April 30, 1973On the Watergate Investigations
April 19, 1973Annanouncing an end to the energy quota system
March 29, 1973On Vietnam and Domestic Problems
January 23, 1973Announcing the conclusion of a Peace Agreement in Vietnam
November 7, 1972Victory Speech
November 6, 1972On the eve of the Presidential Election
November 2, 1972"Look to the Future"
July 4, 1972Announcing Plans for America's Bicentennial Celebration
May 28, 1972Message to the People of the Soviet Union
May 8, 1972On the Situation in Southeast Asia
April 26, 1972On Vietnam
March 16, 1972On Equal Educational Opportunities and School Busing
February 8, 1972On the environment
January 25, 1972Announcing a Plan for Peace in Vietnam
October 21, 1971Nomination of Powell and Rehnquist to the United States Supreme Court
October 7, 1971On the Post-Freeze Economic Stabilization Program
September 6, 1971Observance of Labor Day
August 15, 1971Announcing a New Economic Policy: "The Challenge of Peace"
July 15, 1971Announcing Acceptance of an Invitation To Visit China
May 20, 1971Annaouncing a Strategic Arms Limitation Agreement with the Soviet Union
April 7, 1971On the Situation in Southeast Asia (Vietnam)
February 25, 1971On the Second Annual Foreign Policy Report to Congress
February 18, 1971On Healthcare
October 7, 1970Announcing a New Initiative for Peace in Southeast Asia (Vietnam)
June 17. 1970On Economic Policy and Productivity
June 3, 1970On the Cambodian Sanctuary Operation
April 30, 1970On the Situation in Southeast Asia (Cambodian Incursion)
April 20, 1970On Progress Toward Peace in Vietnam
March 23, 1970On the Postal Strike
December 15, 1969On Progress Toward Peace in Vietnam
November 3, 1969On the War in Vietnam
October 17, 1969On the Rising Cost of Living
August 8. 1969On Domestic Programs
May 14, 1969On Vietnam
Lyndon B. JohnsonOctober 31, 1968Announcing His Decision To Halt the Bombing of North Vietnam
June 6, 1968On the death of Robert Francis Kennedy
June 5, 1968On the Assassination Attempt on Robert Francis Kennedy
April 5, 1968On the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr
March 31, 1968On the war in Vietnam and the 1968 election
January 26, 1968On the Capture of the USS Pueblo by North Korean forces
July 27, 1967On civil disorder in the United States
July 24, 1967On the Riots in Detroit
July 12, 1966On United States Foreign Policy in Asia
January 31, 1966On the Resumption of Bombing of North Vietnam
August 6, 1965On the Signing of the Voting Rights Act
July 28, 1965On Vietnam and the United States Supreme Court
May 2, 1965On the situation in the Dominican Republic
April 28, 1965On the Decision to send troops to the Dominican Republic
March 26, 1965On the arrests of those involved in the murder of Violo Liuzzo
November 2, 1964On the eve of the Presidential election
October 18, 1964On recent events in China, the USSR, and Great Britain
October 7, 1964On the Upcoming Presidential Election
August 4, 1964On the Gulf of Tonkin Incident
July 2, 1964On the Signing of the Civil Rights Bill
April 22, 1964On the Railroad Strike
November 28, 1963Observance of Thanksgiving
November 23, 1963On the assassination of John Fitzgerald Kennedy
John F. KennedySeptember 18, 1963On the Test Ban Treaty and the Tax Reduction Bill
July 26, 1963On the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty
July 10, 1963Announcing Postponing of the Railroad Strike
July 5, 1963On returning from a trip to Europe
June 11, 1963On civil rights
May 16, 1963On the Flight of Astronaut L. Gordon Cooper
May 12, 1963On the race riots in Birmingham, Alabama
November 3, 1962Encouraging the American People to Vote in the Midterm Elections
November 2, 1962Announcing an end to the Cuban Missile Crisis
October 22, 1962On the Cuban Missile Crisis
September 30, 1962On the Situation at the University of Mississippi
August 13, 1962On the economy
July 2, 1962Announcing recognition of Algerian independence
March 3, 1962On Nuclear Testing and Deterrent
July 25, 1961On the Berlin Crisis
June 6, 1961On Returning from Europe
Dwight EisenhowerJanuary 17, 1961Farewell address
June 27, 1960On the trip to the Far East
May 25, 1960On recent events in Paris
March 8, 1960On the trip to South America
February 21, 1960On leaving for a trip to South America
December 3, 1959On leaving for a trip to Europe, Asia, and South America
September 10, 1959On the trip to Europe
August 6, 1959On the Need for an effective labor bill
March 16, 1959On security in the free world
September 11, 1958On the Formosan Straits Crisis
July 15, 1958On the United States mission in Beirut
December 23, 1957On the NATO conference in Paris
November 13, 1957On Future Security
November 7, 1957On science and national security
September 24, 1957On the Little Rock School Integration Crisis
May 21, 1957On Mutual Security
May 14, 1957On the Federal Budget
February 20, 1957On the Situation in the Middle East and the Eisenhower Doctrine
October 31, 1956 On the Uprising in Hungary and the Suez Crisis
September 19, 1956Start of the President's Re-election campaign
April 16, 1956On the Farm Bill Veto
February 29, 1956 Decision to seek re-election
January 5, 1956On the State of the Union
July 25, 1955On the Geneva Convention
July 15, 1955On the Upcoming Convention in Geneva
August 23, 1954On the Achievements of the 83rd Congress
April 5, 1954On the State of the Union
March 15, 1954On the tax Program
January 4, 1954On the Administrations Purposes and Accomplishments
August 6, 1953On the Achievements of the 83rd Congress
July 26, 1953On the armistice on the Korean peninsula
May 19, 1953On National Security
Harry S. TrumanJanuary 15, 1953Farewell Address
November 3, 1952On the eve of the Presidential Election
April 8, 1952On the steel mills crisis
March 6, 1952On Mutual Security
November 7, 1951On International Arms Reduction
June 14, 1951On Inflation
April 11, 1951On the war in Korea and the removal of General Douglas MacArthur
December 24, 1950Observance of Christmas
December 19, 1950On the War in Korea and National Emergency
September 9, 1950On the Signing of the Defense Production Act
September 1, 1950On the Progress of the War
July 19, 1950On the war in Korea
September 27, 1949Observance of Democratic Women's Day
July 13, 1949On the economy
April 4, 1949On the Signing of the North Atlantic Treaty
October 24, 1947On the Special Session of Congress
October 5, 1947Food conservation to aid post-war Europe
June 20, 1947On the veto of the Taft-Harley Bill
October 14, 1946Ending of price controls
June 29, 1946On price controls
May 24, 1946On the railroad strike
January 3, 1946Status of Reconversion Program
October 30, 1945Reconversion of wartime economy to peacetime economy
October 2, 1945Announcing the start of the 1945 National War Fund Campaign
September 1, 1945Cessation of hostilities with Japan
August 10, 1945On the Potsdam Conference
August 6, 1945On the dropping of an atomic bomb on Hiroshima
June 7, 1945Ultimatum to Japan
May 8, 1945End of the War in Europe
April 17, 1945On the death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Franklin D. RooseveltJanuary 6, 1945On the State of the Union
December 24, 1944Observance of Christmas
November 2, 1944Report on the war
October 5, 1944On the Upcoming Presidential Elections
June 12, 1944Opening of the Fifth War Loan Drive
June 6, 1944On the D-Day Landings
June 5, 1944On the fall of Rome
January 11, 1944On the state of the Union
December 24, 1943On the Tehran and Cairo Conferences
September 8, 1943On the Armistice with Italy and the Third War Loan Drive
July 28, 1943On the Fall of Mussolini
May 2, 1943On the coal crisis
October 12, 1942Report on the war
September 7, 1942On Inflation and Progress of the War
June 12, 1942On Rubber
April 28, 1942On national economic policy and sacrifice
February 23, 1942On the Progress of the War
December 9, 1941On the Declaration of War With Japan
September 11, 1941On Maintaining Freedom of the Seas and the Greer Incident
September 1, 1941Observance of Labor Day
May 27, 1941Announcing Unlimited National Emergency
December 29, 1940On the "Arsenal of Democracy"
May 26, 1940On National Defense
September 3, 1939On the European War
November 4, 1938On the eve of the Midterm Elections
June 24, 1938On the Party Primaries
April 14, 1938On the Recession
November 14, 1937On the Unemployment Census
October 12, 1937On new legislation to be recommended to Congress
March 9, 1937On the Reorganization of the Judiciary
September 6, 1936On Drought Conditions, Farmers, and Laborers
April 28, 1935On the Works Relief Program and the Social Security Act
September 30, 1934On Government and Capitalism
June 28, 1934On the Achievements of the 73rd United States Congress and Critics of the New Deal
October 22, 1933On Economic Progress
July 24, 1933On the National Recovery Administration
May 7, 1933On the New Deal Program
March 12, 1933On the Banking Crisis
Herbert HooverNovember 7, 1932Concession to Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the 1932 election
October 16, 1932On the Campaign for Community Funds Relief
March 6, 1932On the Hoarding of Currency
October 18, 1931On Unemployment Relief
September 18, 1929On Peace Efforts and Arms Reduction

See also

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Popular Culture and Representations of Literacy. 13. Bronwyn . Williams. Amy . Zenger. Routledge . 2007. 978-0-415-36095-1. February 8, 2011.
  2. Rottinghaus. Brandon. 2009. Strategic Leaders: Determining Successful Presidential Opinion Leadership Tactics Through Public Appeals. Political Communication. 26. 3. 296–316. 10.1080/10584600903053510. 145768760.
  3. News: Oval Office setting is message behind the message - CNN.com. Thai. Xuan. October 24, 2018. en.
  4. News: Live From the Oval Office: A Backdrop of History Fades From TV. New York Times. July 9, 2013 . December 26, 2013 . Calmes . Jackie .
  5. Web site: Greeley. Brenden. Why Obama Doesn't Give Speeches From the Oval Office. https://web.archive.org/web/20130913040243/http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2013-09-11/why-obama-doesnt-give-speeches-from-the-oval-office. dead. September 13, 2013. December 26, 2013.
  6. Web site: Michael E. Eidenmuller . The Rhetoric of 9/11: President George W. Bush – Address to the Nation on 9-11-01 . Americanrhetoric.com . February 8, 2011.
  7. News: Connolly . Katie . As it happened: Obama oil spill address . BBC News . June 15, 2010 . February 8, 2011.
  8. News: Remarks by the President on Osama Bin Laden. May 2, 2011. whitehouse.gov. October 24, 2018. en.
  9. Web site: House . The White . February 23, 2021 . Remarks by President Biden on the More Than 500,000 American Lives Lost to COVID-19 . June 3, 2023 . The White House . en-US.
  10. Web site: May 25, 2022 . Remarks by President Biden on the School Shooting in Uvalde, Texas . June 3, 2023 . The White House . en-US.
  11. News: Tackett . Michael . Fandos . Nicholas . Trump Will Take Case for Border Wall to Public in National Address . January 8, 2018 . The New York Times . January 7, 2019 . Ted Koppel, the veteran ABC anchor, said in an interview that given that Mr. Trump had not previously requested time for an Oval Office speech, the networks ought to give him 'the benefit of the doubt.'.
  12. Web site: Address to the Nation on the Nomination of Robert Gates To Be Director of the Central Intelligence Agency The American Presidency Project . April 23, 2024 . www.presidency.ucsb.edu.
  13. Web site: Address to the Nation on the Congressional and Gubernatorial Elections . April 24, 2024 . Ronald Reagan . en.