Emergency Presidential Address/Quotes

"Announcer: We interrupt this program for an urgent message from the President of the United States.

President: This is your President. On behalf of my country and in the name of the other leaders of the world, with whom I have today consulted, I hereby abdicate all authority and control over this planet to General Zod. Only by strict compliance with all his directions will the lives of innocent millions be spared. [Desperately] Superman! Can you hear me? Superman! Where...

General Zod: Who is this Superman?

President: You'll find out, General, and when you do...

General Zod: Come to me, Superman, if you dare! I defy you! Come! Come and Kneel Before Zod! Zod!"

- Superman II

"President: My fellow Americans. It is with a heavy heart that I speak to you this afternoon. As you know earlier today the Martian ambassador and his confederates attacked and killed many of your representatives on Capitol Hill. I will be conferring with other world leaders as time goes on. And rest assured that, working together, we will soon come out at a very real outcome. Thank you."

- Mars Attacks

"President: My fellow Americans, a historic and unprecedented event has occurred. The question of whether or not we're alone in the universe has been answered. Although it's understandable that many of us feel hesitation or fear, we must attempt to reserve judgment. [Snip other characters talking] The staff and I will remain here as we attempt to communicate. If you feel compelled to leave these cities, please do so in an orderly fashion."

- Independence Day

"President: I address you tonight not as the president of the United States, not as the leader of a country, but as a citizen of humanity. We are faced with the very gravest of challenges. The Bible calls this day Armageddon, the end of all things. And yet, for the first time in the history of the planet, a species has the technology to prevent its own extinction. All of you praying with us need to know that everything that can be done to prevent this disaster is being called into service. The human thirst for excellence and knowledge, every step up the ladder of science, every adventurous reach into space, all of our combined modern technologies and imaginations, even the wars that we've fought, have provided us the tools to wage this terrible battle. Through all the chaos that is our history, through all of the wrongs and the discord, through all of the pain and suffering, through all of our times there is one thing that has nourished our souls and elevated our species above its origins, and that is our courage. The dreams of an entire planet are focused tonight on those 14 brave souls traveling into the heavens. And may we all, citizens the world over, see these events through. Godspeed and good luck to you."

- Armageddon

"Earth President: This is... This is the president. I have just been informed that our midrange military bases at Beta Colony and Proxima 3 have fallen to the Minbari advance. We have lost contact with Io and must conclude that they too have fallen to an advanced force. Our military intelligence believes that Minbari intend to bypass Mars and hit Earth directly, and the attack may come at any time. We have continued to broadcast our surrender and a plea for mercy, and they have not responded. We therefore can only conclude that we stand at the twilight of the Human race. In order to buy more time for our evacuation transports to leave Earth, we ask for support of every ship capable of fighting, to take part in a defense of our homeworld. We will not lie to you. We do not believe survival is a possibility. We believe that anyone who joins this battle, will never come home again. But for every ten minutes we can delay the military advance, several hundred more civilians may have a chance to escape to neutral territory. Though Earth may fall, the Human race must have a chance to continue elsewhere. No greater sacrifice has ever been asked of a people, but I ask you now, to step forward one last time -- one last battle to hold the line against the night!... May God... go with you all."

- Babylon 5: In The Beginning