Technically, this speech is called "President Nixon's Address to the Nation on the War in Vietnam." But who cares about that title? This speech will always be remembered as Nixon's "The Great Silent Majority" speech, and for good reason.

"Great silent majority" may seem like three totally harmless words, but they're actually a political wolf in sheep's clothing.

By calling the "great silent majority" into action, Nixon was actually trying to tear the country apart. He really wanted to end the Vietnam War, and he figured he could do this only if he got massive support. The problem was that his vision of massive support (i.e., the "great silent majority") included those who hated anti-war protestors, peace-loving hippies, and most likely the entire Democratic Party. It's a polemical term—one that's built off of political anger and a fractured nation. It's also arguably super unpresidential.

Yeah, "The Great Silent Majority" is a much juicier name than "President Nixon's Address to the Nation on the War in Vietnam."