Five minutes speech
Encyclopedia
On August 11, 1984, United States
President
Ronald Reagan
, while running for re-election, was preparing to make his weekly Saturday address on National Public Radio. As a sound check prior to the address, Reagan made the following joke to the radio technicians:
The joke was a parody of the opening line of that day's speech:
Contrary to popular misconception, the joke was not broadcast over the air, but rather leaked later to the general populace. But the Tokyo newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun
reported in October 1984 that the Soviet Far East Army was placed on alert after word of the statement got out, and that the alert was not withdrawn until 30 minutes later. Congressman Michael Barnes
(D-Md.) confirmed that information with then Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger
. There was no report of any change in the DEFCON
level for the United States.
Though this was not the first time Reagan had joked prior to giving a speech or address, the Soviet official news agency, TASS
, condemned the joke, declaring that "USSR condemns this unprecedentedly hostile attack of US President" and that "this kind of behavior is incompatible with high responsibility the heads of nuclear states are bearing for the destinies of their own people and the mankind".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
, while running for re-election, was preparing to make his weekly Saturday address on National Public Radio. As a sound check prior to the address, Reagan made the following joke to the radio technicians:
- My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw RussiaSoviet UnionThe Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
forever. We begin bombing in five minutes.
The joke was a parody of the opening line of that day's speech:
- My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you that today I signed legislation that will allow student religious groups to begin enjoying a right they've too long been denied — the freedom to meet in public high schools during nonschool hours, just as other student groups are allowed to do.
Contrary to popular misconception, the joke was not broadcast over the air, but rather leaked later to the general populace. But the Tokyo newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun
Yomiuri Shimbun
The is a Japanese newspaper published in Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, and other major Japanese cities. It is one of the five national newspapers in Japan; the other four are the Asahi Shimbun, the Mainichi Shimbun, Nihon Keizai Shimbun, and the Sankei Shimbun...
reported in October 1984 that the Soviet Far East Army was placed on alert after word of the statement got out, and that the alert was not withdrawn until 30 minutes later. Congressman Michael Barnes
Michael Barnes
Michael Barnes may refer to:* Michael Barnes , footballer* Michael D. Barnes , U.S. politician* Michael Barnes , Canadian writer* Michael Barnes , British Labour MP...
(D-Md.) confirmed that information with then Defense Secretary Caspar Weinberger
Caspar Weinberger
Caspar Willard "Cap" Weinberger , was an American politician, vice president and general counsel of Bechtel Corporation, and Secretary of Defense under President Ronald Reagan from January 21, 1981, until November 23, 1987, making him the third longest-serving defense secretary to date, after...
. There was no report of any change in the DEFCON
DEFCON
A defense readiness condition is an alert posture used by the United States Armed Forces. The DEFCON system was developed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and unified and specified combatant commands. It prescribes five graduated levels of readiness for the U.S...
level for the United States.
Though this was not the first time Reagan had joked prior to giving a speech or address, the Soviet official news agency, TASS
Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union
The Telegraph Agency of the Soviet Union , was the central agency for collection and distribution of internal and international news for all Soviet newspapers, radio and television stations...
, condemned the joke, declaring that "USSR condemns this unprecedentedly hostile attack of US President" and that "this kind of behavior is incompatible with high responsibility the heads of nuclear states are bearing for the destinies of their own people and the mankind".
External links
- Audio via NPR