But despite this seemingly permanent setback, the State of the Union address has remained the most watched – televised, watched on the internet, listened to on the radio and updated via medium such as twitter, facebook, etc. – speech (in normal time) by the president of the United States.

Not once since this practice has begun – namely since the existence of the Republic – has any president declared the State of the Union weak, and yet the country has gone through various tumultuous times, at time very close to the date set for the delivery of the speech. Although it was not suggested in the Constitution, it was understood that the president had to motivate the nation, encourage the patriots and declare a state of strength.