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The State of the Union through the years

President Jimmy Carter delivers his 1978 State of the Union address

President Jimmy Carter delivers his 1978 State of the Union address. From Georgian peanut farmer to the 39th President of the United States, Carter was a Washington outsider who rose to the top of the White House from 1977 to 1981.  (Associated Press)

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The State of the Union address, a tradition since 1790, has offered presidents a chance to give Congress and the nation a rundown of the past year’s accomplishments and a look ahead into their vision of the future. Whether that vision survives partisan fights is another issue entirely.
Read more: State of the Union goals often fall short.

Ronald Reagan

President Reagan receiving applause before making his 1983 State of the Union address.  (Bob Daugherty / Associated Press)

Stacks of legislation

President Reagan holds up a 14-pound continuing resolution for the budget, part of a total package weighing 43 pounds, which the president said was two months late from Congress, during his State of the Union address.  (Bob Daugherty / Associated Press)

Bipartisan handshake

President Clinton shakes hands with House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) as Vice President Al Gore left, applauds, before giving his State of the Union address.  (Greg Gibson / Associated Press)

Applause for Clinton

President Clinton gives his 1999 State of the Union address.  (Doug Mills / AP)

State of the Union finger wag

President Clinton gives his 1999 State of the Union address.  (Win Macnamee / Associated Press)

George W. Bush

President George W. Bush is applauded before delivering his 2002 State of the Union address.  (Luke Frazza / AFP)

Thumbs-up

President Obama walks down the center aisle greeting members of Congress on his way to deliver the State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress.  (Tim Sloan / EPA)

Barack Obama

President Obama delivers his 2011 State of the Union address.  (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press)

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