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Today in History: Reagan Calls Soviet Union an "Evil Empire"

3/8/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On March 8, 1983, President Ronald Reagan delivered a pivotal speech to the National Association of Evangelicals in Orlando, Florida, labeling the Soviet Union an "evil empire." This declaration underscored the ideological divide of the Cold War, framing the conflict as a struggle between good and evil, and rejecting the idea of equal blame for the ongoing nuclear arms race.

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Story summary

On March 8, 1983, President Ronald Reagan delivered a pivotal speech to the National Association of Evangelicals in Orlando, Florida, labeling the Soviet Union an "evil empire." This declaration underscored the ideological divide of the Cold War, framing the conflict as a struggle between good and evil, and rejecting the idea of equal blame for the ongoing nuclear arms race.