Presidential Inaugural Speeches: Richard Nixon’s First Inaugural Address

Here is Richard Nixon’s first inaugural address from January 20, 1969 — forty yars ago tomorrow. Nixon inherited a deeply divided nation, and his speech reflects that. So Nixon took the divided nation and made it….more divided.

Until he resigned due to the events and ordeal involving the Watergate scandal.

And then there was unity, as most Americans, who didn’t even agree with each other on issues or partisan preferences, breathed a collective sigh of relief.