In 1988, as he was about to step down as president, Ronald Reagan received the Frances Boyer award, AEI's highest award.  He chose for the theme of his speech that December evening, eleven months before the Berlin Wall fell, the struggle of people everywhere for freedom. In his speech, he anticipated the momentous events that would occur in 1989. "So while our hopes today are for a new era, let us remember that if that new era is indeed upon us, there was nothing inevitable about it. It was the result of hard work--and of resolve and sacrifice on the part of those who love freedom and dare to strive for it."  Freedom works, he said.  He saluted the Solzhenitsyns, the Sakarhovs, and the Sharanskys, saying "We have seen the thrilling spectacle of mankind refusing to accept the shackles place upon us." As we recall the events of November 1989, it is important to remember the struggle and to recommit ourselves to the hard work of extending freedom to those who have yet to enjoy its blessings.