PJM: It was an overcast and warm day in June of 1987 when Ronald Reagan stepped to the podium at the Brandenburg Gate to deliver what many believe was his most memorable speech.
What made it memorable was the brutal honesty that Reagan used to describe the world as it was in 1987.
And now the Soviets themselves may, in a limited way, be coming to understand the importance of freedom. We hear much from Moscow about a new policy of reform and openness. Some political prisoners have been released. Certain foreign news broadcasts are no longer being jammed. Some economic enterprises have been permitted to operate with greater freedom from state control.
Are these the beginnings of profound changes in the Soviet state? Or are they token gestures, intended to raise false hopes in the West, or to strengthen the Soviet system without changing it? We welcome change and openness; for we believe that freedom and security go together, that the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of world peace. There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace.
General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!
No president had ever spoken so frankly, so directly about the evil of the Soviet Union. And Reagan’s advisors nearly had apoplexy trying to keep him from calling for the destruction of the Berlin Wall. There was much hand-wringing at the White House and State Department over the phrase “Tear down this wall” as the speech’s author Peter Robinson relates: read more
Along with Reagan, Thatcher and John Paul II need recognition in that whole affair.
The left only wants to credit Gorby “for what he wanted to do for his people”. Fair enough, and credit due, but if not for the will of the above Trinity and God himself this would not have happened.
It was a perfect historical alignment.
Us to Trunp: “TEAR DOWN THIS SWAMP!”
Statue? What I see is a BIG middle finger to the left!
I was born in 1962.
I saw the Berlin wall in 1983.
In my mind, it was always going to stand.
I remember Reagan’s speech because I remember seeing the Brandenburg Gate when I was in Germany. I watched as the wall came crumbling down. It was incredible, unbelievable, and memorable.
It made me realize that FREEDOM will always triumph. God bless Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, John Paul II, Lech Walesa, and all the men and women who fought for freedom.
I wonder where in the world a country would want to erect a statue of Obama? The airport in Iran where pallets of cash were delivered? Cuba, where he did what he could to help the communists in power? Moscow, where he sided with Putin on everything Putin?
Portland?
what many believe was his most memorable speech. WRONG Not for conservatives
Conservatives have said for 55 years that THE SPEECH was his most memorable! I (have been a political nut for decades) watched Ronny 10/64. this conservative D voted for Barry in Nov! Moderates + liberals call it “Time for …” which is the name Ronny gave it. But from Oct 64 to now conservatives refer to it as “The Speech”! The last 25 years I have seen many links to THE SPEECH on conservative webs! few to “Tear Down…”! It was a great speech, but for conservatives well below THE SPEECH.
But as Bill said 500 years ago, “beaty is in the eye…”! I think this was a great speech. I think I mentioned I have been conservative for over 70 years; clearly biased.
I remember that day and that speech. I choked up listening to it. Did the same thing when that damned wall came down. It still gets to me.