Fifty years ago, a presidential address at Tulane marked a turning point in U.S. foreign policy. On April 23, 1975, President Gerald Ford delivered a historic speech from Tulane’s gymnasium, declaring that America’s role in the Vietnam War had ended—the first such statement from a sitting U.S. president. Moments like this highlight the enduring role of universities as national platforms for shaping public discourse and historical reflection. | Tulane University