1988 State of the Union Address facts for kids
The 1988 State of the Union address was a very important speech given by President Ronald Reagan to a special meeting of the U.S. Congress on January 25, 1988. This speech was the last time President Reagan gave the State of the Union address during his second term as president. During the event, Donald Hodel, who was the Secretary of the Interior, was chosen as the designated survivor.
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What is the State of the Union Address?
The State of the Union address is a big speech given by the President of the United States once a year. The President gives this speech to a special meeting of both parts of the U.S. Congress: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Why is this speech important?
The main reason for the State of the Union address is for the President to tell everyone how the country is doing. It's a chance for the President to talk about important issues facing the United States. They also share their ideas for new laws and plans for the future. It's a way for the President to communicate directly with the American people and their elected representatives.
Who attends the speech?
Many important people attend the State of the Union address. This includes all members of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Also, members of the President's Cabinet, Supreme Court Justices, and military leaders are there. It's one of the few times all three branches of the U.S. government gather in one room.
The Designated Survivor
A special tradition for the State of the Union address is choosing a "designated survivor." This is a member of the President's Cabinet who does not attend the speech. They stay in a secret, safe place. This is done to make sure that if something unexpected were to happen to the President and other leaders at the Capitol, there would still be someone in charge of the country. For the 1988 speech, Donald Hodel was the designated survivor.
President Ronald Reagan's Last State of the Union
The 1988 State of the Union address was President Ronald Reagan's final one during his time in office. He had been President since 1981. Giving this speech is a tradition that goes back many years in American history.
Who was Ronald Reagan?
Ronald Reagan was the 40th President of the United States. He served two terms, from 1981 to 1989. Before becoming President, he was an actor and the Governor of California. His presidency was a time of many changes in the U.S. and around the world.
The 100th U.S. Congress
The 1988 speech was given to the 100th U.S. Congress. The Congress is the part of the U.S. government that makes laws. It is made up of two parts: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Each state has two senators, and the number of representatives a state has depends on its population.
