The State of Our Union Begins at Home

Growing up, I can’t recall a single time my family sat down to watch the State of the Union address.

My parents were working hard to make a living, run a household, and keep up with the countless activities my brother and I were involved in. We simply didn’t make the time. But looking back, I also think we didn’t watch because we didn’t feel the need to. We felt safe.

America was clearly imperfect and led by imperfect people, yet it seemed our leaders genuinely wanted what was best for the nation. Gender debates weren’t the dominant force in public discourse, politicians hadn’t yet mastered the art of weaponizing division as a governing strategy, and there were no competing flags challenging Old Glory. We felt united — one nation unapologetically under one God. Well into my college years, I still believed that while politicians might disagree on policy, they ultimately shared a common commitment to doing what was right for our country.

During my upbringing, my parents and grandparents deeply loved this nation and never missed an opportunity to vote. Yet politics was rarely discussed openly outside our family — especially not by my grandparents’ generation. I heard interesting conversations on the front porch, beneath the shade tree, around the dinner table, and in the church parking lot — but politics remained a matter of private conviction, not public combat.

For the most part, citizens seemed more like-minded — proud Americans who would never have dreamed of disrespecting the country that had afforded them so many blessings. It’s ironic, really. Our own papaws were heroes, yet we barely understood what they had endured because they didn’t talk about that either. The very ones who had every reason to complain — young men pulled from the comfort of their homes and thrust into the horrors of war — simply didn’t.

They returned from World War II, built families, worked tirelessly without seeking applause or handouts, and stood ready to defend this nation again if called upon.

Sadly, times have changed.

As the Greatest Generation quietly slips away, an entitled generation abrasively pushes its way to the forefront. America is not the same.

Patriotism Begins at Home

The State of the Union address is scheduled for Tuesday, February 24 at 9 p.m. ET, and although we are all busy making a living, running households, and keeping up with our children’s activities, it is imperative that families make time for this event — to listen carefully, have honest conversations, and remain engaged in the direction of our country.

In 2019, my husband and I attempted to watch the SOTU with our three young boys in the room. We never imagined they would be intrigued or that they would ask so many thoughtful questions (see SOTU from a Child's View ). What we assumed would be an ordinary, somewhat boring speech our kids ignored, quickly became an unexpected opportunity for discipleship and civic education.

As we prepared to watch the following year, we realized simply hearing the annual message wasn’t enough — we wanted to understand it and appreciate why it matters. To do that, we first had to understand where it came from.

The History of the State of the Union

Having just fought the Revolutionary War to free themselves from the unchecked authority of a king, our Founding Fathers required the president to report to Congress regularly to ensure transparency and accountability. Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution mandates that the president “shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union.”

This yearly address covers the nation’s current condition, outlines the administration’s achievements, and presents future legislative goals. Often, newly inaugurated presidents deliver a joint address to Congress early in their term. However, this is not officially a State of the Union address. A true SOTU reports on the previous year.

Two hundred thirty-six years ago, George Washington delivered the very first SOTU in 1790 in New York City. With only 1,089 handwritten words, it remains the shortest address in history. He declared, “The welfare of our country is the great object to which our cares and efforts ought to be directed.” Washington set the standard for the SOTU by informing citizens that the purpose of the address was for the good of the nation, not party advancement.

Thomas Jefferson discontinued the practice of delivering the address in-person, believing it resembled a monarch’s speech. Instead, he sent a written report to be read by a clerk — a tradition that continued for more than a century.

In 1913, Woodrow Wilson reinstated the in-person address. According to State of the Union Address | US House of Representatives, this was the point in which the address shifted from economic and general reports to a platform for the president to rally support for his agendas.

With the rise of technology, the State of the Union transformed from a Constitutional obligation to a nationally shared experience. Calvin Coolidge delivered the first address broadcast by radio in 1923. Harry S. Truman became the first president to deliver a televised address in 1947. In 1965, Lyndon B. Johnson gave the first televised evening address. As radio and television expanded the speech’s reach, evening broadcasts became standard to maximize national viewership. By the 1960s and 1970s, primetime scheduling — typically 9:00 p.m. ET — became customary.

In 2002, George W. Bush delivered the first State of the Union to be webcast live online, making it accessible to a global audience.

Today, the address is streamed across multiple platforms, carried by numerous networks, clipped instantly for social media, and transcribed within hours.

The State of the Union Is for Us, Too

What began as a mandated report to Congress gradually became a powerful, historic moment for all Americans to witness.

In 2019, our simple attempt to tune in became one of our favorite family traditions.

Clear your schedules. Make the popcorn. Gather your children.

But more importantly — pray.

Pray that the God of this nation will be glorified. Pray for unity beyond party lines. Pray that the sacrifices of our soldiers will be remembered. Pray that we will be more like the Greatest Generation – humble, hard-working, steadfast in faith, and never taking our freedoms for granted.

Pray that patriotism will be revived — not just in Washington, but in our homes.

Because home is where the true state of our union begins.