What's in a Word?

From Martin Van Buren to Richard Nixon, there are many similarities between what is being said in the Inaugural Addresses. By examining what words have been used and how frequently, we can see what was important during a specific time in American history.

Words such as 'freedom,' 'nation,' and 'people' have always been commonplace throughout the history of presidential speeches. John Quincy Adams uses the word ‘government’ 22 times in his address while President Obama uses ‘nation’ 15 times. Similarities such as these show us the American ideals that we find important. Having a strong and great nation and a government by and for the people are basic American standards that have not faded in our short history as a country.

By examining the differences in wordage throughout the history of presidential speeches, we can see what the key issues of each of the presidencies have been. For example, in President Abraham Lincoln’s first inaugural speech he uses the word ‘slave’ 8 times, that is more than any other president. It makes sense since the civil war was in full effect and the entire nation was fighting each other over the importance of that very word.