--- title: Republican Convention: When Was America Last Great? description: The implicit premise of Donald Trump's slogan "Make America Great Again" is that the country was great at some point in the past, but when? canonical: https://time.com/4416421/republican-convention-delegates-great-america/ author: Jay Newton-Small article:opinion: false article:content_tier: free article:published_time: 2016-07-21T05:05:40.000Z article:modified_time: 2023-12-13T05:44:52.000Z article:section: Politics og:title: When Was America Last Great? og:description: Here's what Republican delegates said. og:url: https://time.com/4416421/republican-convention-delegates-great-america/ og:site_name: TIME og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt0974ca21b5477ed3/69889c873c163913c945e175/landon-nordeman-republican-national-convention-rnc-scenes-0718-032.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 og:image:width: 2569 og:image:height: 1445 og:image:alt: TIMEPOL RNC og:type: article twitter:card: summary_large_image twitter:title: When Was America Last Great? twitter:description: Here's what Republican delegates said. twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt0974ca21b5477ed3/69889c873c163913c945e175/landon-nordeman-republican-national-convention-rnc-scenes-0718-032.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  # When Was America Last Great? 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[Watch (HLS stream): When Was America Last Great?](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/YT2nWjSf.m3u8) (0:59)  _Published 2016-07-21_  by [Jay Newton-Small / Cleveland](https://time.com/author/jay-newton-small/)  ## Jay Newton-Small / Cleveland Updated: Dec 13, 2023 5:44 AM UTCPublished: Jul 21, 2016 5:05 AM UTC  by [Jay Newton-Small / Cleveland](https://time.com/author/jay-newton-small/)  ## Jay Newton-Small / Cleveland Updated: Dec 13, 2023 5:44 AM UTCPublished: Jul 21, 2016 5:05 AM UTC **Correction appended, July 24, 2016** The implicit premise of Donald Trump’s slogan “Make America Great Again” is that the country was great at some point in the past but is no longer. That raises the question: When was America last great? Delegates on the floor of the Republican national convention in Cleveland who talked to TIME had different ideas. The clear winner was the Reagan-era, with the post-World War II period coming in close second. **Read More:** [_What Year Was America Great? You Tell Us_](http://time.com/4417359/make-america-great-again-year-quiz/) However, a few who waxed nostalgic about the 1950s changed their pick to the 1980s after they were asked a follow-up question about the era’s racial segregation. Here’s what the delegates had to say: **Late 1940s to early 1950s: (7 responses)** North Carolina State Sen. Ron Rabin, 84: He said the the post-war era had a unified people and an unbeatable country. When asked about segregation, he responded: “You can’t do anything about history. That’s the way it was and revisionist history makes no sense.” Former Michigan Rep. Pete Hoekstra, 63: “My parents immigrated in the 1950’s and I’m sure that they were liberated by American troops after five years of Nazi occupation and they went to a country who gave them another chance.” Frank Circelli, 66: Georgia gemologist: “The 1950’s when we were out of debt and had a good president when Ike was in office.” Tom, 74, a Wisconsin delegate and retired Army security officer who refused to give his last name: 1950s because of Elvis. Claire French, 77, a retired New Jersey county clerk: “It was a time of opportunity, not of giveaways. I’d like to see that for our children today: give them opportunities, not things.” Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, 69: The late 1950s, when his family got their first TV. John Vasko, 81, a retired Washington state physician: “Those Eisenhower years, after World War II, when the country was growing, it was law abiding; the people were together. They were kind and everybody didn’t have a big burr under their saddle.” **1960s: (1 response)** Mike Stopa, 61: Massachusetts physicist: “This girlfriend I had was pretty foxy.” **1970s: (1 response)** Sherry Powell, 54, Washoe County (Nevada) GOP treasurer: “It was an era of innovation of Apple and Steve Jobs.” ### Scenes from the Republican National Convention  Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Republican vice presidential candidate Mike Pence stand with their families at the end of the Republican National Convention on July 21, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME  Attendees celebrate as the Republican National Convention comes to a close on July 21, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME  Duck Dynasty reality TV star Phil Robertson on the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Thursday, July 21, 2016. Landon Nordeman for TIME  Scenes from the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Thursday, July 21, 2016. Landon Nordeman for TIME  Scenes from the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Thursday, July 21, 2016. Landon Nordeman for TIME  Donald Trump kisses running mate Indiana Gov. Mike Pence at the Republican National Convention on July 20, 2016, in Cleveland. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME  Scenes from the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Landon Nordeman for TIME  Scenes from the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Landon Nordeman for TIME  Scenes from the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Landon Nordeman for TIME  Donald Trump with his children Eric and Ivanka Trump at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, on July 20, 2016. Benjamin Lowy for TIME  A man poses at Instagram's "Mini Oval" office at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Landon Nordeman for TIME  Donald Trump supporter Rachel Day, from Akron, stands outside the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Landon Nordeman for TIME  Troopers monitor protests outside the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Benjamin Lowy for TIME  Mounted police from Fort Worth, Texas monitor the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Wednesday, July 20, 2016. Landon Nordeman for TIME  Attendees hold signs at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Benjamin Lowy for TIME  New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie attends the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Landon Nordeman for TIME  A man attends the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Landon Nordeman for TIME  Attendees hold signs at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME  A Texas delegate tallies up the votes for the Donald Trump's nomination at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Benjamin Lowy for TIME  Donald Trump speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Landon Nordeman for TIME  Delegates cheer at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Landon Nordeman for TIME  Comedian Eric Andre is escorted from the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Landon Nordeman for TIME  Boxing promoter Don King attends the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Landon Nordeman for TIME  Donald Trump Jr. speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME  Tiffany Trump speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 19, 2016. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME  A screen displays the state flag of Mississippi, the only state that includes the Confederate battle emblem in its official state flag, at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Christopher Morris—VII for TIME  Scenes from the floor at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016.at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME  Buttons are displayed for sale outside the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Landon Nordeman for TIME  A pair of men interact with protesters in the Cleveland Public Square at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. Benjamin Lowy for TIME  Trevor Leis, of Lime, supports open carry at the Cleveland Public Square amidst various protests at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 19, 2016. Benjamin Lowy for TIME  A police officer stands on a protective crowd control line in the Cleveland Public Square at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on July 19, 2016. Benjamin Lowy for TIME  Delegates pose for a group photo at the Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME  A man dons a "Make America Great Again" hat at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Benjamin Lowy for TIME  Melania Trump kisses her husband, Donald Trump in front of an ecstatic crowd, on July 18, 2016. Ben Lowy for TIME  Scenes from the floor of the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME  Donald Trump appears on stage at the 2016 Republican National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2016, in Cleveland. Landon Nordeman for TIME **1980’s: (10 responses)** Tom Hardesley, 66, a semi-retired insurance agent from Berkeley County: “Because of Ronald Reagan. The country was prosperous and people had good paying jobs and lower taxes.” Jackie Menconi, 77, an Illinois delegate and retired deli and restaurant owner: “Ronald Reagan was a true patriot.” Cherie Billings, 67, a Nassau County chair and Florida delegate: “I grew up in California and in my first election I voted for Ronald Reagan.” Jay Narang, 44, a Florida businessman and president of the southwest Broward Republicans: “Reagan brought the country back together and he was kind. He worked with Tip O’Neill and made Americans feel good about themselves.” Ron Luddus, 77, an Arizona delegate: “I just loved the Ronald Reagan years.” Al Baldasaro, 59, a New Hampshire State representative: “Reagan’s slogan was ‘Let’s Make American Great Again,’ the key being the ‘Let’s’—he challenged people to do better.” Chuck Yob, 79, a Michigan delegate: “Ronald Reagan: That was the greatest time.” Sylvia Andersen, 67, a former Utah State legislator: “In the Reagan era we had hope and freedom and a president who believed in our country, who was proud of our country.” Phil Bryant, 61, governor of Mississippi: “Under Reagan, you saw America become strong again. The economy exploded and our enemies feared us.” Alabama Supreme Court Justice Tom Parker, 64: “It was under Ronald Reagan when we saw the fall of the wall in Germany and the eastern European countries break away from the grip of communism.” **2000s: (4 responses)** Sarah Huckabee, 34, daughter of former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee and a Trump advisor: “Right after September 11, 2001\. That was the time in my lifetime that we were the most united that I can remember. The world cried with us and cheered with us and respected us in a way I don’t think a lot of the world does now.” Hardy Billington, 63: Missouri delegate, retired heating and cooling company: “Bush 43 was a great president. I wrote a book about him in 2004, _Elected by Faith_ and he had me to the White House to sign it.” Sam Wakim, 51, owner of dental practices and an Indiana delegate: “For 30 years my businesses grew but in 2007, the financial crisis happened and they still haven’t fully recovered yet. So, I’m nostalgic for 2007, the last time my businesses were on a strong path to growth.” Michael Baisden, 66, a West Virginia coal miner and substitute teacher: “2008\. As soon as Barack Obama was elected billions of dollars went outside of the country because they knew Obama would redistribute the wealth and that’s what he’s done.” **Correction**: An earlier version of this story misspelled a delegate’s name. It is Ron Rabin. ## Transcript [ MUSIC ] The last time it was truly great. [ BLANK_AUDIO ] When America was truly great. I think it was truly great during the Reagan administration. I really liked Reagan. It was when Ronald Reagan was the president. He's my very first president that I voted for. And yes, I had to really think back. First image that I have, really, is the day after 9 / 11. At every american household, had a flag in front of their home. From my personal experience, economically the 80's. I think right now we're in troubling times. We were just the world leader, and I think we can be that way again, I clearly do. You know what? We're gonna have it again with Donald Trump. Donald Dave Trump, go. [ MUSIC ] ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4416421/republican-convention-delegates-great-america/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4416421/republican-convention-delegates-great-america/"},"headline":"When Was America Last Great? 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