but as our eyes catch the dimness of the first rays of dawn, let us not curse the remaining dark. let us gather the light. our destiny offers not the cup of despair, but the chalice of opportunity. so let us seize it not in fear, but in gladness, and "riders on the earth together," let us go forward, firm in our faith, steadfast in our purpose, cautious of the dangers, but sustained by our confidence in the will of god and the promise of man. [applause]

>> we take you now to 1973. president richard nixon had just won reelection, winning 49 states in his race against democrat george mcgovern. inauguration day occurred on a saturday that year and chief justice warren burger administered the oath of office. president nixon's second inauguration occurred less than a month after the death of harry truman on december 26, 1972. two days after the inauguration on january 22, president nixon's predecessor in the white house, president lyndon johnson, died of a heart attack. pres. nixon: mr. vice president, mr. speaker, mr. chief justice, senator cook, mrs. eisenhower, and my fellow citizens of this

great and good country we share together: when we met here 4 years ago, america was bleak in spirit, depressed by the prospect of seemingly endless war abroad and of destructive conflict at home. as we meet here today, we stand on the threshold of a new era of peace in the world. [applause] the central question before us is: how shall we use that peace? let us resolve that this era we are about to enter will not be what other postwar periods have so often been: a time of retreat and isolation that leads to stagnation at home and invites new danger abroad. let us resolve that this will be

what it can become: a time of great responsibilities greatly borne, in which we renew the spirit and the promise of america as we enter our third century as a nation. this past year saw far-reaching results from our new policies for peace. by continuing to revitalize our traditional friendships, and by our missions to peking and to moscow, we were able to establish the base for a new and more durable pattern of relationships among the nations of the world. because of america's bold initiatives, 1972 will be long remembered as the year of the greatest progress since the end of world war ii toward a lasting peace in the world. [applause]

the peace we seek in the world is not the flimsy peace which is merely an interlude between wars, but a peace which can endure for generations to come. it is important that we understand both the necessity and the limitations of america's role in maintaining that peace. unless we in america work to preserve the peace, there will be no peace. unless we in america work to preserve freedom, there will be no freedom. but let us clearly understand the new nature of america's role, as a result of the new policies we have adopted over these past 4 years. we shall respect our treaty commitments. we shall support vigorously the principle that no country has the right to impose its will or

rule on another by force. we shall continue, in this era of negotiation, to work for the limitation of nuclear arms and to reduce the danger of confrontation between the great powers. we shall do our share in defending peace and freedom in the world. but we shall expect others to do their share. the time has passed when america will make every other nation's conflict our own, or make every other nation's future our responsibility, or presume to tell the people of other nations how to manage their own affairs. [applause] just as we respect the right of each nation to determine its own future, we also recognize the responsibility of each nation to

just as america's role is indispensable in preserving the world's peace, so is each nation's role indispensable in preserving its own piece. together with the rest of the world, let us resolve to move forward from the beginnings we have made. let us continue to bring down the walls of hostility which have divided the world for too long. and to build in their place bridges of understanding so that despite profound differences between systems of government, the people of the world can be friends. [applause] let us build a structure of peace in the world in which the week are as safe as the strong.

in which each respects the others will to live by a different system. in which those who would influence others will do so by the strength of their ideas and not by the force of their arms. let us accept that high responsibility not as a burden, but gladly. gladly because the chance to build such a piece is the noblest endeavor in which a nation could engage. our -- only if we act greatly in maine handing out responsibilities abroad will rehome you right nation. only if we remain high nation will we meet our challenges. we have the chance today to do

more than ever before in our history to make life better in america. better health, better housing, better transportation, a cleaner environment to restore respect for law, to make our communities more livable and to ensure the god-given right of every american to full and equal opportunity. [applause] because our needs are so great, because the reach of our opportunities is so great, let us be bold in our determination to meet those needs and new ways. just as building a structure of peace abroad has required turning away from old policies that had failed, so building a

new era of progress at home requires turning away from old policies that have failed. the shift from old policies to new has not been a retreat from our responsibilities, but a better way of peace. and at home, the shift from old policies to new will not be a retreat from responsibilities, but a better way to progress. abroad and at home. the key lies in the placing and the division of responsibility. we have to live too long with the consequences of attempting to gather all power and responsibility in washington. abroad and at home, the time has

come to turn away from the condescending policies of paternalism of washington knows best. [applause] a person can be expected to act responsibly only if he has responsibility. this is human nature. so let us encourage individuals at home and nations abroad to do more for themselves, to decide more for themselves. let us locate responsibility in more places. and let us major what we will do for others by what they will do for themselves. [applause] that is why today i offer no promise of a purely governmental solution for every problem.

we have lived too long with that false promise, and trusting too much in government, we have asked of it more than it can deliver. this leads only to inflated expectations, to reduced individual effort, and to a disappointment and frustration that erode confidence in what government can do and in what people can do. government must learn to take less from people so that people can do more for themselves. [applause] let us remember that america was built not by government, but by people, not by welfare, but by work, not by shirking responsibility, but by seeking responsibility. [applause] in our own lives, let each of us

ask not just what will government do for me, but what can i do for myself? in the challenges we faced together, let each of us ask not just how can government help, but how can i help? your national government has a great and vital role to play. we will act and lead boldly. just as important is the role that each and every one of us must play as an individual and a member of his own community. from this day forward, let each of us make a solemn commitment in his own heart to bear his responsibility, to do his part,

to live his ideals, so that together we can see the dawn of a new age of progress for america and together as we celebrate our 200th anniversary as a nation, we can do so proud in the fulfillment of our promise to ourselves and to the world as america's longest and most difficult war comes to an end, let us learn to debate our differences with civility and decency. [applause] and let each of us reach out for that one precious quality government cannot provide, a new level of respect for the rights and feelings of one another, a new level of respect for the individual human dignity that is

the cherished birthright of every american. [applause] above all else, the time comes for us to renew our faith in ourselves and in america. that faith has been challenged in recent years. our children have become ashamed of america's record at home and its role in the world. we have found everything that is wrong with america and the little that is right. i'm confident this will not be the judgment of these remarkable times in which we are privileged -- privileged to live. [applause] america's record in this century

has been unparalleled in the world's history for its responsibility, its generosity, its creativity and its progress. let us be proud that our system has provided more freedom and abundance and widely shared. let us be proud that each of the four wars that we have been engaged in this century including the one we are now bringing to an end, we have fought not for our self-insured advantage, but to help others. let us be proud that by our initiative, we have made a breakthrough for creating in the world with the world has not known, a structure of peace that cannot last.

but for generations to come. we are embarking here today on an era that presents challenges as great as any generation or nation has ever faced. we shall answer to god, to history, and to our conscience for the way in which we use these years. as i stand in this place so hallowed by history, i think of others who have stood here before us. i think of the dream for america and how each recognized he had helped far beyond himself to make those dreams come true.

today, i ask your prayers that in the years ahead i may have god's help in making decisions that are right for america and i pray for your help so that together we may be worthy of our challenge. let us pledge together to make these next four years the best four years in america's history so that on its 200th birthday, america will be as young and vital as when it began and as bright a beacon of hope for all the world. let us go forward in confident hope, strong in our faith in one another, sustained by our faith in god who created us, and striving always to serve his purpose. [applause]

[applause] [applause] [captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2025] [captioning performed by the national captioning institute, which is responsible for its caption content and accuracy. visit ncicap.org] >> if you are enjoying american history tv, sign up for our newsletter using the qr code on the screen to receive weekly highlights of upcoming programs, like lectures and history, american artifacts, the presidency, and more. sign up for the newsletter today and be sure to watch american history tv every weekend or anytime online at c-span.org/history.

new york congres eli stefanik's president trumps pick to be u.s. ambassador to thed nationssd nate foreign relations the committee to answer questions on ominion. she rst elected to the u.s. house i anderved as republican conference chairm 2021 until the end of last year. you canatch her confirmation hearing starting live on c-span three, or online at c-span.org. ♪ >> c-span now is a free mobile app featuring your unfiltered view of what is happening in washington, live and on demand. keep up with the day's biggest events of floor proceedings and hearings from the u.s. congress, white house events, the courts, campaigns, and more from the world of politics all at your fingertips. you can also stay current with the latest episodes of washington journal and find

scheduling information for c-span's tv networks and c-span radio, plus a variety of compelling podcastss. c-span now is available at the apple store and google play. skin the qr code to download today or visit c-span.org/c-spannow. c-span now, your front row seat to washington anytime, anywhere. we take you know to august 9, 1974, president richard nixon had announced his resignation the evening before amid the ongoing watergate scandal. vice president gerald ford exited his to nixon down the white house into the south lawn to a waiting helicopter. he then headed to his swearing-in ceremony in the east room of the white house. at noon, chief justice warren burger admitted the oath of office. president ford then delivered remarks before gathered family, political dignitaries, and the press. it