By WILL RABBE and SARAH SCULLY

Our list of the 10 most important presidential speeches in chronological order.

1. George Washington's Farewell Address, 1796
[Note: This speech was not actually read aloud but instead printed in the newspaper. You try speaking with wooden teeth] Washington was incredibly prescient in this address, discouraging overuse of credit, warning against debt as well as the distraction of partisanship. He also made an early case for term limits in explaining why he was stepping down. Click Here For Full Text

2. Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, 1863
One of the most influential speeches in modern history and yet also one of the shortest. Lincoln's powerful words comforted and gave purpose to a nation torn apart by war. He redefined the Declaration of Independence as the basis for equality and freedom. Given how little time it takes, I recommend re-reading it right now. Click Here For Full Text

3. Teddy Roosevelt's Minnesota State Fair Speech, 1901
Still a Vice President, mere days from taking over for an assassinated McKinley, Roosevelt gave a speech that hinted at the depth of historic knowledge and worldly experience that would serve him so well in office. It was in this speech that he first employed a proverb he picked up in his African travels that would come to define his policy on international relations: "Speak softly and carry a big stick." Click Here For Full Text

4. Woodrow Wilson's War Message to Congress, 1917
While not as celebrated as some of the others we've listed, Wilson's speech is remarkable for its sheer persuasiveness. In an effort to convince a largely isolationist Congress to declare war against Germany and its allies, Wilson delivered an emotionally charged argument, citing patriotic duty and humanitarian need that left few willing to vote against him. Click Here For Full Text

5. Franklin Delano Roosevelt's First Inaugural Address, 1933
Taking office in the middle of the Great Depression, Roosevelt outlined his plans for recovery in a rousing speech that declared: "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Click Here For Full Text

6. Richard Nixon's Checkers Speech, 1952
Following accusations of financial indiscretions and with the threat of being dropped from Eisenhower's ticket, Nixon went on TV to divulge all of his finances in detail directly to the American Public. And to top it off -- his laundry list of assets and liabilities even included his dog Checkers, hence the name of the speech. Click Here For Full Text and Video

7. Dwight Eisenhower's Farewell Address, 1961
The great Military leader-turned President surprised the country by warning of the "military-industrial complex -- or the rapid growth of the defense industry that was developing into a powerful interest group. Click Here For Full Text and Audio

8. John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address, 1961
Short but sweet, this 13-minute speech contained a most memorable line: "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country." The famous call to service inspired a new generation of American leaders. Click Here For Full Text. Click Here For Video

9. Lyndon Johnson's Message to Congress: "We Shall Overcome", 1965
LBJ adopted the language of the Civil Rights movement in this 1965 message to Congress to overcome "the crippling legacy of bigotry and injustice." His intent? To finish the job that Lincoln began. Unfortunately for Johnson's legacy, his breakthrough with Civil Rights would be overshadowed by his bungling of the Vietnam War. Click Here For Full Text

10. Ronald Reagan's "Evil Empire" Speech, 1983
Reagan escalated the rhetoric of the Cold War by referring to the Soviet Union as the "evil empire" -- stark terms following a relaxation of relations between the US and Russia. Three years later he would sit down with Mikhail Gorbachev in Iceland -- beginning the end of the Cold War. Click Here For Full Text

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