Remarks of the President in Presenting to Madam Curie a Gift of Radium from the American People

This brief ceremonial address honors a pioneering scientist whose discoveries have transformed humanity’s understanding of radioactivity. Speaking on behalf of the American people, the President welcomes Madame Curie as a daughter of Poland and France, celebrates her achievements, and recognizes the significance of her work as evidence of women’s equality in intellectual life.

Blending public tribute with personal reflection, the speech considers how great minds draw strength from the needs and hopes of the world around them. Its meditation on “radio-active” character links scientific energy with the moral power to inspire, heal, and serve others. At the center of the ceremony is the presentation of a small phial of radium, offered as a symbol of national gratitude and as encouragement for continued efforts in science and the conquest of disease. The result is a concise portrait of scientific achievement, international friendship, and the ideals that inspired an age to look toward progress.