On the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 28, President Barack Obama will give his annual State of the Union address. No one can inspire the hopes and dreams of the American public like the president of the United States. When presidents speak, people listen, even the fictional ones. To celebrate President Obama's 2014 State of the Union address, here are five great presidential speeches.
"Air Force One"
Harrison Ford's character, President James Marshall, ignored his prepared talking points to give a sobering and intense anti-terrorism speech. It isn't flashy, but it gets the job done and brings listeners to their feet.
Quotable line: "Real peace is not just the absence of conflict; it's the presence of justice."
"Armageddon"
The President of the United States is hardly the main character of "Armageddon" (his name is never even revealed), but his do-or-die speech is one for the books. The entire world is listening as he sends off the deep-core drillers and scientists who will save the Earth from an approaching asteroid.
Quotable line: "For the first time in the history of the planet, a species has the technology to prevent its own extinction."
"Independence Day"
President Thomas Whitmore (Bill Pullman) threw together a rousing speech about teamwork and fighting against a common enemy before launching an attack on alien invaders. Desperation turns to inspiration in this powerful monologue.
Quotable line: "We will not go quietly into the night! / We will not vanish without a fight! / We're going to live on! / We're going to survive!"
"Deep Impact"
In the wake of widespread death and destruction, President Tom Beck, played by Morgan Freeman, must unite a nation and a planet to rebuild after Earth is hit by a comet. As he describes the damage that has been inflicted upon the world, he also manages to inspire the world's citizens to band together and persevere.
Quotable line: "Cities fall, but they are rebuilt, and heroes die, but they are remembered."
"The American President"
President Andrew Shepard, played by Michael Douglas, rips into his political opponent, Bob Rumson (Richard Dreyfuss), with a fervor in this beloved presidential speech. What begins as a personal statement turns into a political message and definition of what it means to possess character.
Quotable line: "You want to claim this land as the land of the free, then the symbol of your country cannot just be a flag."
Before You Go
