We can treat each other with dignity and respect. We can see each other, not as adversaries, but as neighbors. History, faith, and reason show the way, the way of unity. In each of these moments, enough of us, enough of us have come together to carry all of us forward, and we can do that now. Through Civil War, the Great Depression, World War, 9/11, through struggle, sacrifice and setbacks our better angels have always prevailed. The battle is perennial and victory is never assured. Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal, that we all are created equal, and the harsh ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear, demonization have long torn us apart.

I know the forces that divide us are deep and they are real. I know speaking of unity can sound to some like a foolish fantasy these days. We can deliver racial justice and we can make America once again, the leading force for good in the world. We can reward work and rebuild the middle class and make healthcare secure for all. We can teach our children in safe schools. With unity we can do great things, important things. Uniting to fight the foes we face: anger, resentment and hatred, extremism, lawlessness, violence, disease, joblessness, and hopelessness. Bringing America together, uniting our people, uniting our nation, and I ask every American to join me in this cause. When he put pen to paper, the president said and I quote, “If my name ever goes down into history, it will be for this act, and my whole soul is in it.” My whole soul was in it today on this January day, my whole soul is in this. And another January on New Year’s Day in 1863, Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. It requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy unity, unity. To overcome these challenges, to restore the soul and secure the future of America, requires so much more than words. A cry that can’t be any more desperate or any more clear, and now arise a political extremism, white supremacy, domestic terrorism that we must confront and we will defeat. A cry for survival comes from planet itself. The dream of justice for all will be deferred no longer.

A cry for racial justice, some 400 years in the making, moves us. Hundreds of thousands of businesses closed. Once in a century virus that silently stalks the country, has taken as many lives in one year as America lost in all of World War II. Much to repair, much to restore, much to heal, much to build and much to gain.įew people in our nation’s history have been more challenged or found a time more challenging or difficult than the time we’re in now. We’ll press forward with speed and urgency for we have much to do in this winter of peril and significant possibilities. And over the centuries through storm and strife, in peace and in war, we’ve come so far, but we still have far to go. On we the people who seek a more perfect union. But the American story depends not in any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us. The oath first sworn by George Washington. I’ve just taken a sacred oath each of those patriots have taken. I thank them from the bottom of my heart, and I know the resilience of our constitution and the strength, the strength of our nation, as does president Carter who I spoke with last night, who cannot be with us today, but whom we salute for his lifetime and service. I thank my predecessors of both parties for their presence here today. As we look ahead in our uniquely American way, restless, bold, optimistic, and set our sights on the nation we know we can be, and we must be. We come together as one nation, under God, indivisible, to carry out the peaceful transfer of power as we have for more than two centuries. So now on this hallowed ground where just a few days ago violence sought to shake the capital’s very foundation. And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed. We’ve learned again that democracy is precious. The people, the will of the people, has been heard and the will of the people has been heeded. Today we celebrate the triumph, not of a candidate, but of a cause, the cause of democracy. America has been tested anew and America has risen to the challenge. A day of history and hope of renewal and resolve through a crucible for the ages. Chief Justice Roberts, Vice president Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Vice President Pence, and my distinguished guests, my fellow Americans.

Biden speech