A Time for Choosing facts for kids

A Time for Choosing (also known as The Speech) was a very important talk given by Ronald Reagan in 1964. He gave this speech in Los Angeles, California. At the time, Reagan was an actor, but he was becoming more involved in politics.

He gave the speech to support Barry Goldwater, who was running to become the President of the United States in the 1964 election. Goldwater was the candidate for the Republican Party. This speech helped make Ronald Reagan famous in politics. Soon after, people asked him to run for Governor of California.

What Was "A Time for Choosing"?

"A Time for Choosing" was a speech given on October 27, 1964. It was broadcast on television across the country. The speech was about important ideas like freedom and the role of government. Reagan talked about how he believed the government should not be too big or have too much control over people's lives.

He spoke about his worries that the government was spending too much money. He also talked about the importance of individual liberty. Many people who watched the speech felt inspired by his words. It showed that Reagan was a very good speaker.

Who Was Ronald Reagan?

Ronald Reagan was born in 1911. Before he became a politician, he was a well-known actor. He starred in many movies and television shows. He was also the president of a union for actors. This experience helped him learn how to lead and speak to large groups of people.

Reagan started out as a Democrat. But over time, his ideas about government changed. He began to believe more in the ideas of the Republican Party. These ideas often focus on less government involvement and more individual freedom.

Why Was This Speech Important?

"A Time for Choosing" was a turning point for Ronald Reagan. Before this speech, he was mostly known as an actor. After the speech, he became a major voice in the Republican Party. Many people saw him as a strong leader with clear ideas.

The speech helped raise money for Barry Goldwater's campaign. Even though Goldwater did not win the election, Reagan's speech was a huge success for him personally. It showed that he could connect with many Americans.

The 1964 Election

The 1964 United States presidential election was between Barry Goldwater (Republican) and Lyndon B. Johnson (Democrat). Johnson was the current president at the time. The election was a big win for Johnson.

However, Reagan's speech stood out. It was one of the few bright spots for the Republican Party in that election. It showed that new leaders were emerging.

Reagan's Future in Politics

Because of the success of "A Time for Choosing," many people encouraged Reagan to run for office himself. Just two years later, in 1966, he ran for Governor of California. He won that election and served two terms as governor.

His time as governor prepared him for an even bigger role. In 1980, Ronald Reagan was elected the 40th President of the United States. His famous speech in 1964 was the start of his amazing journey from Hollywood to the White House.