In a country like France so ancient their history is full of outstanding people so they carry a heavy weight on their back. Who could write in French after Proust or Flaubert?

We've been a country that's been fortunate to be protected by two oceans to not have serious attacks on our territory for most of our history. And we were unfortunately reminded in a very devastating way of our vulnerability.

Throughout this country's history there have of course been systematic efforts to create an official underclass.

To this wonderful page in our country's history another more glorious still will be added and the slave shall show at last to his free brothers a sharpened sword forged from the links of his fetters.

I don't want to go negative on Franklin Delano Roosevelt but he didn't pass an economic deal in the first 100 days. We have passed the largest Recovery Act in the history of the country.

The history of our country is cruel. We have to face those issues or should I say we had to. Not anymore I hope because we are going in the right direction and we are ready to forgive ready to move on.

We are a big country with lots of advantages and history. We are proud to be French. We have to call on patriotism at this time... to ask for an effort in the battle against debt.

No country in history ever sent mothers of toddlers off to fight enemy soldiers until the United States did this in the Iraq war.

These fallen heroes represent the character of a nation who has a long history of patriotism and honor - and a nation who has fought many battles to keep our country free from threats of terror.

We are not being arrogant or complacent when we are said that our country as a united nation has never in its entire history enjoyed such a confluence of encouraging possibilities.