On this day in 1983, U.S. president Ronald Reagan delivers a speech in Orlando, Florida in which he first refers to the Soviet Union as an “evil empire.” During the address, he advocates for NATO to counter Moscow’s deployment of nuclear weapons in Europe.

On this day in 1983, U.S. president Ronald Reagan delivers a speech in Orlando, Florida in which he first refers to the Soviet Union as an “evil empire.” During the address, he advocates for NATO to counter Moscow’s deployment of nuclear weapons in Europe. pic.twitter.com/WzcI2sDnYU

— Military History Now (@MilHistNow) March 8, 2025