Address to the Nation

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In many countries, an Address to the Nation or National Address, is a speech, often broadcast live over various media (usually radio and television), directed at the general public. These often take the form of an annual address near the end of the year, but can also respond to pressing current and global events. Inaugural and Resignation speeches are common as well.

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United States

United Kingdom

Addresses to the Nation are typically rare in the United Kingdom; however, they increased in frequency during the COVID-19 pandemic. [1] Addresses to the Nation have been held in and outside of 10 Downing Street. [2] [3] Typically the Prime Minister delivers an annual New Year Message. [4]

Winston Churchill was notable for the speeches he gave; his first address to the nation in 1940, was made five days before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. [5] Churchill's this was their finest hour speech was first delivered to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom on June 18, 1940, and later that evening was broadcast to the public, as an address to the nation. [6] In her first address to the nation in 2022, Prime Minister Liz Truss promised to cut taxes and deal with the energy crisis "caused by Putin’s war". [7]

By the Monarch

Special addresses to the nation by the British monarch are rare and usually only occur at times of significant national or royal events (Though it is tradition to give an annual Royal Christmas message). On December 25, 1932, King George V became the first monarch to make an address to the nation, in a live radio broadcast. [8] Queen Elizabeth II addressed the nation in September 1997, on the eve of the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales. [9] She also made addresses to thank the public for their support during her Diamond Jubilee in 2012, as well as two addresses in 2020, one regarding the COVID pandemic, and the other regarding the 75th anniversary of VE Day. After Queen Elizabeth passed away in 2022, King Charles addressed the nation, giving a tribute to his late mother. [10]

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References

  1. ↑ Rodger, James (5 May 2020). "Boris Johnson to give speech on 'road map' out of lockdown this Sunday - what we know about it so far". BirminghamLive. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  2. ↑ "May's address to the nation sees her tell voters 'I am on your side' over Brexit". Daily Record. 2019-03-20. Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  3. ↑ Waterson, Jim (2019-01-17). "BBC criticised for sticking with football over PM's Brexit speech". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2023-04-05.
  4. ↑ "New Year 2016: Prime Minister's message". GOV.UK. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
  5. ↑ "Winston Churchill's First Address to the Nation as Prime Minister | DocsTeach". National Archives at College Park.
  6. ↑ "'Their finest hour' speech by Winston Churchill, 1940". British Library.
  7. ↑ "Liz Truss's first address to nation as new UK prime minister". AP News. 6 September 2022.
  8. ↑ "First Empire Address by King George V". BBC.
  9. ↑ "The Queen's speech following the Death of Diana, Princess of Wales" – via YouTube.
  10. ↑ "King Charles's address to the nation – in full". The Guardian. 9 September 2022.
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