12 of the most unforgettable moments from State of the Union addresses

Shelby Slauer,Rebecca CohenMar 1, 2022, 22:03 IST

Former President Barack Obama during a State of the Union address.REUTERS/Mandel Ngan/Pool

The annual State of the Union address is a chance for the US president to update Congress on the nation's progress.
Former President Harry S. Truman's speech in 1947 was the first to be broadcast on live television.

Throughout history, presidents have given State of the Union addresses to inform Congress of the state of the country as well as presenting calls to action and promises for the rest of their terms.

But the contents of the speech can sometimes be overshadowed by notable moments.

Here are some of the most unforgettable moments from State of the Union addresses past.

Parts of Abraham Lincoln's State of the Union speech were leaked and it prompted an investigation.

His wife was accused of leaking information, but Lincoln said she hadn't seen the speech in advance.Wikipedia

Former President Harry S. Truman's speech in 1947 was the first to be broadcast on live television.

Former President Harry S. Truman giving the State of the Union address.AP/Byron Rollins

Nixon called for an end to the Watergate investigation during his State of the Union address in 1974.

President Richard Nixon delivering the State of the Union address in 1974.AP Photo

Former President Reagan invited Lenny Skutnik to the address in 1982, starting a new tradition for State of the Union addresses.

Lenny Skutnik being recognized during the State of the Union speech in 1982.Frank Johnston/Washington Post/Getty Images

Clinton called for an end to big government during his address in 1996.

Former President Clinton during one of his State of the Union addresses.AP/ RON EDMONDS

Networks cut away from Clinton's State of the Union address in 1997 to air the OJ Simpson verdict.

Defendant OJ Simpson during his trial.Reuters

George W. Bush coined "Axis of Evil" in his 2002 address, marking the beginning of the Iraq War.

George W. Bush giving a State of the Union address.Luke Frazza/Getty Images

Justice Samuel Alito shook his head in disagreement during Obama's 2010 State of the Union address.

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito prior to President Barack Obama's State of the Union address.AP Photo/Pablo Martinez

Former Vice President Joe Biden pointed during Obama's State of the Union address.

Biden's facial expressions went viral.Fox News

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg fell asleep during Obama's 2015 State of the Union address.

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg during Obama's State of the Union address.Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP

Donald Trump shrugged off a handshake from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ahead of the 2020 State of the Union.

This combination of pictures created on February 04, 2020 shows Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi extending a hand to US president Donald Trump ahead of the State of the Union address at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on February 4, 2020.OLIVIER DOULIERY/AFP via Getty Images

Pelosi ripped up a copy of Trump's 2020 State of the Union speech after he finished speaking.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rips up pages of the prepared speech at President Donald Trump's State of the Union address in the chamber of the House of Representatives on February 4, 2020.Mark Wilson/Getty Images

Photos show babies in Ukraine's largest children's hospital being treated in its basement to escape shelling

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