Today in history: Jimmy Carter's 'malaise' speech

He actually never even said the infamous word

President Jimmy Carter, pictured in 1976.
(Image credit: Central Press/Getty Images)

July 15, 1971: A stunning announcement from President Nixon: He would visit communist China in early 1972. Nixon's journey to China, arguably the most dramatic trip ever taken by a president, opened the door for increased ties and competition between the two superpowers. It also marked China's emergence into the modern world.

July 15, 1979: In a primetime speech, President Carter warned that the U.S. was threatened by a lack of "moral and spiritual confidence." He said America's lack of confidence was to blame for an ongoing recession, and was a "fundamental threat to American democracy." The speech is often referred to Carter's "malaise" address, though he never actually used that word.

Quote of the Day

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

“Associate with men of good quality if you esteem your own reputation; for it is better to be alone than in bad company." -George Washington

More from West Wing Reports...

Continue reading for free

We hope you're enjoying The Week's refreshingly open-minded journalism.

Subscribed to The Week? Register your account with the same email as your subscription.