How To Celebrate Presidents Day

Presidents Day is approaching. Though the political climate is a rough one at the moment and you may not be feeling too patriotic — understandably so! — this day is also one for reflection, in a lot of senses. It's a day to think about the previous presidents who have changed the fabric of history. So, that said, I think listening to some of their speeches is a good way to celebrate President's Day this year.

So how can we do that? Well Acast, this platform that houses on-demand audio and podcasts, actually put together a Presidents Day playlist of speeches to boost he morale of Americans called Presidents Day Collection. They chose a few of the most memorable speeches from our nation's most recent leaders: The speeches include words from former presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, Ronald Reagan, Jimmy Carter, Gerald Ford, Richard Nixon, Lyndon B. Johnson, and John F. Kennedy.

So, on Presidents Day, take some time to reflect. Here are the speeches offered through Acast:

Barack Obama

“America has carried on not simply because the skills and vision of those in high office, but because we, the people, have remained faithful to the ideals of our forefathers, and true to our founding documents.”

Listen to Barack Obama’s full inaugural address from when he first took office in 2009.

George W. Bush

“It is a great country because we share the same values and respect and dignity and human worth, and it is my honor to be leading leaders who feel the same way as I do. They are outraged, they’re sad, they love America just as much as I do.”

Listen to George W. Bush’s remarks at the Islamic Center in Washington D.C. a few days after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

Bill Clinton

“Our people have always mustered the determination to construct from these crises the pillars of our history. Thomas Jefferson believed that to preserve the very foundations of our nation we would need dramatic change from time to time. Well my fellow Americans, this is our time, let us embrace it.”

Listen to Bill Clinton's full inaugural address from when he took office on Jan. 20, 1993.

George H.W. Bush

“For democracy belongs to us all, and freedom is like a beautiful kite that can go higher and higher with the breeze. And to all, I say, no matter your circumstances or where you are, you are a part of this day.You are a part of the life of our great nation.”

Listen to George H.W. Bush's full inaugural address from when he took office on Jan. 20, 1989.

Ronald Reagan

“We welcome change and openness, because we believe that change and freedom go together. That the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of world peace.”

Listen to Ronald Reagan's remarks at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin in 1987.

Jimmy Carter

“I will listen, and I will act. We will act, together. These are the promises I made three years ago, and I intend to keep them. Little by little, we can and we must rebuild our country. We can spend until we empty our treasures, and we may summon all the wonders of science. But we can succeed only if we tap our greatest resources: America’s people, America’s values, and America’s confidence.”

Listen to Jimmy Carter's address to the nation about America’s energy problem in 1979.

Gerald Ford

“There is no way we can go forward except together, and no way anybody can win except by serving the people’s urgent needs. We cannot stand still or sit backwards, we must go forward now. Together.”

Listen to Gerald Ford's inaugural remarks after he was sworn into office following Richard Nixon's resignation in 1974.

Richard Nixon

“The greatest honor history can bestow is the title of peacemaker. This honor now beckons America the chance to now lead the world at last out of the valley of turmoil and on the high ground of peace that man has dreamed of since the dawn of civilization.”

Listen to Richard Nixon's full inaugural address from when he took office on Jan. 20, 1969.

Lyndon B. Johnson

“I speak tonight for the dignity of man, and the destiny of democracy. I urge every member of both parties, Americans of all religions, and of all colors, from every section of this country, to join me in that cause.”

Listen to Lyndon B. Johnson during a speech before congress on voting rights for every American on Mar. 15, 1965.

John F. Kennedy

“We dare not forget today that we are the heirs of that first revolution. Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friends…that the torch has been passed to the new generation of Americans. Forged in this century. Tampered by war...proud of our ancient heritage, and unwilling to witness or permit the slow undoing of those human rights to which this nation has always been committed, and which we are committed to today at home and around the world.”

Listen to John F. Kennedy's full inaugural address from when he was sworn into office on Jan. 20, 1961.