The annual presidential address is traditionally an opportunity for the leader of the National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) to discuss the state of social studies and to provide insight about its direction. Central to these addresses have been reflections on the purpose of the social studies, which NCSS states is "… to help young people develop the ability to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse, democratic society in an interdependent world." Part of the intrigue of the NCSS presidential address is how each leader defines and contextualizes the curriculum and instruction necessary to guide the development of such citizens, as well as what it looks like to live in diverse, democratic, and interdependent communities. This article looks at how NCSS presidents through the years have used their pulpit to address the state of social studies and other important issues relevant to social studies teachers.