The Most Memorable Presidential Addresses Throughout History

Sixty-seven years ago, on Oct. 5, 1947, Americans gathered around their small black-and-white television sets to watch a revolution in presidential communication. That day, President Harry S. Truman gave the first televised presidential address from the White House. During the address, Truman asked Americans to cut back on their grain usage in order to help starving Europeans who were still recovering from World War II.

In the years since then, we've watched presidents defend their actions, apologize for their private mistakes and try to heal the public during times of tragedy. Presidential addresses don't always sway public opinion, but they do stay in our minds for a reason.

We've compiled the most memorable televised presidential addresses in American history. Watch above.