President Reagan & The Year of the Youth
honoring the 40th anniversary of his Proclamation
President Reagan, 1983.
The Year of the Youth: an introduction
As we approach February 6th, the anniversary of President Ronald Reagan's birth, it's fitting to reflect on his enduring legacy and his dedication to empowering the youth of America.
Forty years ago, in 1985, President Reagan issued Proclamation 5299, designating that year as the International Youth Year. This declaration was more than symbolic, it was a call to action. It was an effort to recognize young people’s energy, creativity, and their critical role in shaping the nation’s future.
Reagan saw youth not as passive recipients of government aid but as active participants in our country’s legacy.
For the first time in their lives, young Americans were directly addressed by a President. They were elevated onto the world stage—recognized for their ambition, potential, and the dreams they sought to achieve through their own ambition. At the time, socialism and communism had reared their ugly heads across Latin America, Cuba, the Eastern Bloc, and beyond. Despite this, America remained a beacon of hope under the leadership of President Ronald Reagan.
President Reagan understood the significance of his moment in history. Just a few years before delivering his famous command—“Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”—he chose to honor and empower the next generation. In 1985, he made it clear: the future of America rested in the hands of its youth, and their potential was worth celebrating.
President Ronald Reagan at the Berlin Wall, September 1990.
He emphasized the most powerful force for success stems not from government interventions but from the vital traditions of a free people. These traditions lay at the foundation of the American miracle: free will, innovation, entrepreneurship, grit, determination, and individual responsibility.
Reagan highlighted the indispensable roles of parents, youth organizations, and teachers in fostering these traditions, while underscoring the importance of freedom in worship, creation, and self-determination. He believed that when individuals are free to pursue their own destinies and reap the benefits of their own hard work, society progresses most swiftly.
“History makes clear that progress is swiftest when people are free to worship, create, and build — when they can determine their own destiny and benefit from their own initiative. The dream of human progress through freedom is still the most revolutionary idea in the world, and it is still the most successful. It is the priceless heritage America bestows on each new generation, with the hope that succeeding generations the world over will come to better know its fruits.”
This belief in individual freedom and responsibility was a cornerstone of Reagan's philosophy and remains a foundational value in the conservative movement today. He spoke clearly on the importance of limiting federal government involvement in solving problems, reducing restrictions and regulations on businesses, implementing tax cuts, and emphasizing our constitutional rights, aiming to empower individuals to shape their own futures.
Forty years later, this is still the message young Americans need to hear today.
Reagan’s Legacy and YAAS’ Mission
President Reagan and First Lady Nancy at Reagan's Inaugural Parade, 1981.
Reagan's legacy includes reigniting American optimism and restoring faith in the American Dream during a time of widespread radical leftism.
His leadership style and policies fostered a renewed sense of confidence in all of us.
As we honor Ronald Reagan's legacy, we are reminded of the profound impact of speaking to the dreams and aspirations of the youth.
We believe in the same principles that Reagan championed—individual responsibility, limited government, and the power of young people to lead.
Reagan understood that speaking to the dreams and aspirations of youth meant empowering them with the tools and values necessary to build their futures.
This is exactly what YAAS strives to do: provide young Americans with the knowledge, resources, and inspiration to take ownership of their destinies and become leaders in their communities.
The Power of investing in the aspirations of our youth
Reagan proved that when leaders engage with youth in a meaningful way, by inspiring rather than controlling, by challenging rather than coddling, young people rise to the occasion.
As President Reagan put it, “Let all of us approach this year dedicated to youth by resolving to use our God-given talents and freedom to elevate our ideals, deepen our understanding, and strengthen our determination to make this world a better place for ourselves and for the generations of young people who will follow.”
This sentiment echoes YAAS’ vision of a generation that stands strong in its values, embraces its freedoms, and takes responsibility for shaping America’s future. By educating, empowering and uplifting young Americans today, we ensure a nation of strong, capable leaders tomorrow.
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