Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan, the 40th President of the United States, served from 1981 to 1989. Born in Tampico, Illinois, in 1911, Reagan pursued a degree in Economics and Sociology from Eureka College, where he was actively involved in sports and student life. Before entering politics, he built a successful career in Hollywood, appearing in numerous films throughout the 1940s and 1950s. Reagan’s transition into politics led him to become Governor of California from 1967 to 1975, and he later won the presidency in 1980, defeating Jimmy Carter.
Known as the “Great Communicator” for his ability to connect with the public, Reagan played a pivotal role during the Cold War era, advocating for the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), a missile defense system dubbed “Star Wars.” His political career was marked by strong anti-communist sentiments, and he is often credited with contributing to the eventual end of the Cold War.
President Ronald Reagan made several notable references to the idea of an alien threat to illustrate the potential for global unity. His comments on this subject spanned across three speeches, given in 1985, 1987, and 1988, and have been the focus of much discussion and interpretation over the years. Below is a walkthrough of these speeches, detailing how Reagan used the concept of an extraterrestrial threat to underscore his broader vision for peace and cooperation among nations.
Speech 1: Fallston High School, December 4, 1985
Reagan first touched on the idea of an alien threat during remarks made to students and faculty at Fallston High School in Maryland. During a private discussion with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, Reagan reportedly proposed a thought experiment: What if Earth were threatened by an extraterrestrial species? He mused on how such a scenario could make global conflicts seem trivial by comparison, pushing humanity to unite as one. He said:
“Just think how easy his task and mine might be in these meetings that we held if suddenly there was a threat to this world from some other species from another planet outside in the universe. We’d forget all the little local differences that we have between our countries and we would find out once and for all that we really are all human beings here on this Earth together.”
This statement framed the idea of global unity in the face of an existential threat, using the situation as a rhetorical device to call for peace and cooperation during the Cold War era. He ended by acknowledging that, while no alien invasion seemed imminent, the realization of shared humanity could still be achieved.
Speech 2: United Nations General Assembly, September 21, 1987
Two years later, Reagan brought the concept of an alien threat into a much larger international forum—the United Nations General Assembly. This speech is perhaps the most famous of Reagan’s alien references, as it was delivered before world leaders during the 42nd session of the UN. Reagan observed how conflicts and divisions distract humanity from its shared interests, stating:
“In our obsession with antagonisms of the moment, we often forget how much unites all the members of humanity. Perhaps we need some outside, universal threat to make us recognize this common bond. I occasionally think how quickly our differences worldwide would vanish if we were facing an alien threat from outside this world.”
Reagan’s remark here was intended to draw attention to the idea that humanity might be more united than divided if only we could step back from our immediate concerns. Though he did not directly suggest an alien invasion was a reality, his choice to revisit the metaphor on such a prominent global stage emphasized its importance in his broader message of unity.
Speech 3: National Strategy Forum, May 4, 1988
Reagan’s third public mention of the alien threat came during a speech and question-and-answer session with members of the National Strategy Forum in Chicago. He elaborated on the same theme, this time framing it as a “what if” scenario in which a global threat from outer space could dissolve human divisions. He said:
“But I’ve often wondered, What if all of us in the world discovered that we were threatened by a power from outer space—from another planet? Wouldn’t we all of a sudden find that we didn’t have any differences between us at all—we were all human beings, citizens of the world—and wouldn’t we come together to fight that particular threat?”
This speech continued the theme of global unity in the face of an external danger, further reflecting Reagan’s consistent belief that humanity’s differences were small compared to the potential for cooperation.
In these three speeches, Reagan consistently returned to the notion of an alien threat as a rhetorical tool to inspire a sense of common purpose and global unity. By communicating a scenario in which humanity faced a common extraterrestrial enemy, Reagan hoped to convey that the divisions between nations were superficial compared to the overarching need for peace and collaboration. His comments have since fueled questions about whether Reagan had a deeper interest or knowledge in UFOs or extraterrestrial life.
Reagan was also committed to environmental causes, supporting initiatives like the Clean Air Act and pushing for conservation efforts. Despite his general opposition to regulation, his administration did work to safeguard wilderness areas and promote sustainable energy practices, including solar power.
As an author, Reagan penned several books, including his autobiographies Where’s the Rest of Me? and An American Life, and his diaries, published posthumously, offer a candid glimpse into his thoughts during his presidency. His diaries also touched upon his interest in UFOs, recounting briefings he received that left him with lingering questions. Reagan’s legacy as a political leader remains impactful, but his curiosity about UFOs continues to fuel debates about what he may have known during his time in office.
