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Most Memorable Presidential Goodbyes

By Kristina Loew, Newser User

Posted Jan 14, 2009 6:45 PM CST

(Newser) – Since the days of George Washington, outgoing presidents have found saying goodbye to the nation to be cathartic—and sometimes used the speech to warn of worries to come. Ahead of tomorrow's Bush address, the Houston Chronicle looks at some favorites.

Washington: Set the tone, paying tribute to the “arduous trust of the presidency.”
Dwight Eisenhower: Used his valedictory as a warning about the “military industrial complex.”

Ronald Reagan: Thanked "the men and women of the Reagan Revolution" on his way out the door.
Richard Nixon: Before leaving in disgrace, he issued a "maudlin and, at times, bizarre" farewell.
Harry Truman: The wildly unpopular chief executive delivered "a long but tightly written speech," part of which warned of the Soviet threat.

[Images (3)]

[Videos (3)]

Richard Nixon says goodbye outside the White House in Washington as he boards a helicopter for Andrews Air Force Base after resigning the Presidency in this Aug. 9, 1974 file photo. (AP Photo/File)

In this Jan. 20, 1953, black-and-white file photo, President Harry Truman, left, and his successor, President-elect Dwight D. Eisenhower, leave the White House for inauguration ceremonies. (AP Photo, File)

circa 1985: American president Ronald Reagan makes an announcement from his desk at the White House, Washington DC. (Getty Images)

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Eisenhower warns of the danger of the military industrial complex. (YouTube)

President Nixon's farewell speech. (YouTube)

January 11, 1989: Ronald Reagan's goodbye. (YouTube)

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