At the same moment George Wallace was shot and paralyzed during an assassination attempt on this date in 1972, California Gov. Ronald Reagan was on the West Coast addressing a luncheon event.

After an aide handed him a bulletin, Reagan interrupted his remarks to announce the news of the shooting to the audience attending his speech.

On This Day in 1972: Reagan’s Unscripted Response to Wallace Assassination Attempt

He then offered an immediate, eloquent, and unscripted reaction that presaged why Reagan would one day earn the title of “The Great Communicator.”

“The Art of Alabama Politics” is proud to offer the rare audio of Reagan’s comments for all of our fellow armchair historians who might find it interesting. WATCH: