-Front page headlines in newspapers nationwide – Lead story on network TV news
Gettysburg Address
-15,000-20,000 in person
-Printed in newspapers nationwide -Mixed reviews, with some criticizing speech as inadequate
"We Shall Fight on the Beaches" speech
-Parliament in person – Radio broadcast to millions
-Printed in newspapers nationwide -Excerpts published internationally -Elevated Churchill‘s stature
Foner, E. (2014). Give Me Liberty!: An American History. W. W. Norton & Company.
Garrow, D. J. (1986). Bearing the Cross: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. William Morrow & Co.
Hansen, D. D. (2003). The Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Speech that Inspired a Nation. Ecco.
Keegan, J. (1989). The Second World War. Viking.
Manchester, W. & Reid, P. (2012). The Last Lion: Winston Spencer Churchill: Defender of the Realm, 1940-1965. Little, Brown and Company.
In summary, each of these speeches stands as a turning point in history – through the power of their language, the passion of their delivery, and the lasting significance of their message. From ancient times to the modern era, they exemplify the vital role of oratory in shaping human events. While only a sample of history‘s most important addresses, these speeches had an outsized impact in defining their times and continue to resonate long after their echoes faded away. As a historian, I believe studying the context and impact of these pivotal moments of eloquence and persuasion provides invaluable insight into the tides of history and the human condition.
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Influential Speeches
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10 Famous Speeches That Shaped History
These powerful speeches continue to linger in the public imagination.
Photo Credit: Wikipedia
The best speeches have left a mark on society for generations. They reshaped our world, held us accountable, and inspired us to rise against all odds and achieve great things. These speeches transcend time and place, offering wisdom that stirs souls long after the original speakers have been silenced.
A speech can be charismatic and still lack true meaning, but truly great oratories appeal to the audience's hearts, minds, and values. These speeches rise above the rest both because of the passion with which they were delivered, and the very words themselves. Here, we’ve rounded up eight powerful speeches that captured important historical moments and have proven unforgettable.
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“ain’t i a woman”, sojourner truth, 1851.
Born into slavery in 1797, Sojourner Truth became a well-known abolitionist and women’s rights activist. She delivered this powerful speech at the 1851 Women’s Rights Convention held in Akron, Ohio. In it, she laid bare the double standards facing Black women, who were often pushed to the side when it came to conversations about racism and sexism. Her speech received greater publicity during the Civil War, when several different versions were circulated by feminists and abolitionists.
Related: Deepen Your Knowledge of the Past With 8 of the Most Influential Books in History
“That man over there says that women need to be helped into carriages, and lifted over ditches, and to have the best place everywhere. Nobody ever helps me into carriages, or over mud-puddles, or gives me any best place! And ain't I a woman? Look at me! Look at my arm! I have ploughed and planted, and gathered into barns, and no man could head me! And ain't I a woman? I could work as much and eat as much as a man - when I could get it - and bear the lash as well! And ain't I a woman?”
“When They Go Low, We Go High”
Michelle obama, 2016.
Michelle Obama uttered her now-famous catchphrase at the 2016 Democratic National Convention, when speaking in support of Hillary Clinton’s bid for the presidency. She was referring to the importance of setting a good example for your children and the next generation by staying true to your values and not stooping to the level of those who would demean you. It's a message that's more important than ever in the age of Internet mud-slinging.
“Our motto is: when they go low, we go high. With every word we utter, with every action we take, we know our kids are watching us. We as parents are their most important role models. Let me tell you, Barack and I take that same approach to our jobs as President and First Lady because we know that our words and actions matter, not just to our girls but the children across this country.”
"I Have a Dream"
Dr. martin luther king jr., 1963.
One of the greatest speeches in American history is Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, which was delivered on August 28, 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. In it, he advocated for an end to racism in prose that continues to strike people’s hearts to this day.
Related: 16 Books About MLK That Reveal the Man Behind the Civil Rights Icon
King—a staunch social activist and Baptist minister—was arguably the most prominent leader of the American Civil Rights Movement of the 50s and 60s. King's speech brought into focus the injustice of racial inequality and police brutality in America. He delivered this speech to over 250,000 civil rights supporters. By the mid-1960s, both the Civil Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act were enacted in part due to King's words and actions.
"I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character."
The Farewell Address
George washington, 1796.
During George Washington’s time as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army, and later as the first president of the United States, he wielded a lot of power. He could have managed to overtake control of the nation, much like the king from whom the fledgling nation was determined to break free, and the world was watching to see what would happen.
Related: General George Washington: Before the Presidency
Instead, his modest resignation from his post as the commander-in-chief of the American military in 1783 strengthened the foundation of the republic, and his refusal to accept a third term as president of the nation established a precedent that was later enshrined into law. In the now-famous farewell address that he penned when he stepped down from the presidency, Washington discussed the importance of unity and checks and balances, and warned against the dangers of political factions and despotism.
"However [political factions] may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people and to usurp for themselves the reins of government..."
"Tear down this wall!"
Ronald reagan, 1987.
The Berlin Wall divided East and West Germany into two different nations; one ruled by democracy and one by communism. Echoing many leaders in the international community, President Ronald Reagan demanded that General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union Mikhail Gorbachev aid in reunifying Germany.
Related: The Best Presidential Biographies For History Buffs
Reagan delivered his speech when the Cold War was at its peak, and his advisors feared his address would anger the Soviet leader. But the President gave his speech nonetheless. Reagan’s words received little attention at the time, but when the Cold War ended a few years later it became one of the most well-known speeches by an American president.
“General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
"I Am Prepared to Die"
Nelson mandela, 1964.
Nelson Mandela is one of the most controversial and loved figures in history. His speech " I Am Prepared to Die" defined South African democracy. Mandela delivered his three-hour-long address from the defendant dock to testify while addressing the charges that faced him as a result of his fight against South Africa's apartheid. Although his words did not save him from being convicted, his powerful speech struck the minds of the people listening, and it stimulated unrest in the South African people.
Related: Recharge with 10 Books About Inspirational People
Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years, but his speech and courage were vital in demolishing the apartheid system in his country. He was later released in 1990, won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993, and became the country's first black head of state and the first leader to be elected in a fully representative democratic election.
"I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
Address to The United Nations On the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Eleanor roosevelt, 1948.
As the wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt was America's First Lady for 12 years. She was described as a dedicated humanitarian and activist throughout her life. After the death of her husband, she was appointed the first U.S delegate to the United Nations by President Harry S. Truman. Eleanor Roosevelt achieved her life's most remarkable work when she drafted and presented the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Related: The Fascinating Platforms of 10 First Ladies
The cruelties of World War II inspired the declaration, whose purpose was to ensure that such tragic human rights abuses would not happen again. The most translated document globally, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights lays out the rights and freedoms of all human beings. Roosevelt was instrumental in the adoption of the document, and she explained its significance in a passionate 1948 address to the United Nations.
“At a time when there are so many issues on which we find it difficult to reach a common basis of agreement, it is a significant fact that 58 states have found such a large measure of agreement in the complex field of human rights. This must be taken as testimony of our common aspiration...to lift men everywhere to a higher standard of life and to a greater enjoyment of freedom. Man’s desire for peace lies behind this Declaration.”
Inaugural Address
John f. kennedy, 1961.
On January 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th president of the United States. His pithy inaugural address on that day was well-written and meaningful, and it has become one of the most famous speeches by an American leader. JFK's speech was a call to service for the "new generation Americans - born in this century, tempered by war, disciplined by a hard and bitter peace, proud of our ancient heritage." He issued a direct appeal to American citizens to stand up for their nation at the height of the Cold War and a time of great social change.
"And so, my fellow Americans: Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world: Ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man."
"We Shall Fight On The Beaches"
Winston churchill, 1940.
"We shall fight on the beaches" is the popular title given to the speech delivered by British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to the House of Commons of the UK’s Parliament on June 4, 1940. He gave this speech around the time when Nazi Germany was invading many countries in Europe. In it, Churchill declared that British troops “shall go on to the end” in the face of Nazi aggression.
Related: Inspiring Winston Churchill Quotes That Will Help You Maintain a Stiff Upper Lip
With the threat of a Nazi invasion forthcoming, Churchill promised his nation would fight, alone if need be, and remain resilient. His words were designed to prompt a sense of security in the British people and inspire British troops, without which history would have been different. This strong speech was not just crucial for Churchill but also for the international stage, with America yet to enter the war.
“We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender...”
Democratic National Convention Keynote Address
Barack obama, 2004.
Rising political star Barack Obama was just a candidate for the United States Senate when he gave the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention on July 27, 2004. However, his speech left a mark in the history of America. At the time, Obama was an upcoming politician gaining popularity in the state of Illinois. His speech that day paved the way for him to become the first Black President of the United States. But why did his address have so much significance?
First of all, it was the quality of the writing, which Obama himself handled. Secondly, it was the message of the keynote address; he reminded Americans of what they had in common rather than their differences.
"Now even as we speak, there are those who are preparing to divide us...Well, I say to them tonight, there's not a liberal America and a conservative America; there's the United States of America. There's not a Black America and white America and Latino America and Asian America; there's the United States of America."
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These 11 speeches from the last two centuries changed the world.
The Hypocrisy of American Slavery
Who: Frederick Douglass
When: July 4, 1852
Why it matters: On the day marking American Independence, Frederick Douglass delivered a cutting speech denouncing American society. In the speech he demands to know how a people who pride themselves on liberty and equality can rightfully celebrate these ideals when millions are enslaved. Douglass chastises every American as a hypocrite, noting the irony in the 4th of July festivities taking place as he spoke.
Memorable quote: “ What, to the American slave, is your Fourth of July? I answer: a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim.”
The Gettysburg Address
Who: President Abraham Lincoln
When: November 19, 1863
Why it matters: The famous speech was uttered by President Lincoln amidst America’s Civil War. The famous opening line, “Four score and seven years ago,” calls on the American people to remember the intentions of the founding fathers. In the speech Lincoln never mentions slavery, the Confederacy, or even the Union. Instead, he emphasizes healing, and a return to ideals of the Declaration of Independence. The speech defined the concept of American government as “a government of the people, by the people, for the people.”
Memorable quote: “Fourscore and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.”
Women’s Right to Vote
Who: Susan B. Anthony
Why it matters: Susan B. Anthony was fined for voting in the 1872 election, and so she began to vigorously campaign for women’s suffrage. This speech was given in her defense of women's suffrage. Her work paved the way for the nineteenth amendment, giving women the right to vote in 1920. She never did pay the fine.
Memorable quote: “ It was we, the people; not we, the white male citizens; nor yet we, the male citizens; but we, the whole people, who formed the Union. And we formed it, not to give the blessings of liberty, but to secure them; not to the half of ourselves and the half of our posterity, but to the whole people - women as well as men.”
Fourteen Points Speech
Who: President Woodrow Wilson
When: January 8, 1918
Why it matters: Wilson’s speech formed the foundation of what would become American foreign policy. The speech set forth American goals in the Great War. Perhaps most significant is Wilson’s proposal for an international governing body, which became the basis for the League of Nations. After World War II the League was replaced by the United Nations.
Memorable quote: “ All the peoples of the world are in effect partners in this interest, and for our own part we see very clearly that unless justice be done to others it will not be done to us.”
FDR’s First Inaugural Address
Who: President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
When: March 4, 1933
Why it matters: Amidst one of the most crippling economic crises in history, FDR wanted to forcefully show the American people that he intended to end it. He succeeded by announcing his intention to use the vast powers of the federal government to address the problem. In the speech he acknowledges respect for the Constitution and separation of power, yet notes the necessity of the time and the need for vigorous action. In this speech, FDR effectively declares “war” against the Great Depression.
Memorable quote: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”
We Shall Fight on the Beaches
Who: Winston Churchill
When: June 4, 1940
Why it matters: The speech was designed to inspire the British people and impress Americans with the resolve of the British government in the face of German aggression. The speech was delivered after British troops had successfully evacuated from Dunkik in one of the most astonishing reversals of fortune in the history of warfare.
Memorable quote: “ We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.”
A Tryst with Destiny
Who: Jawaharlal Nehru
When: August 14, 1947
Why it matters: In the speech Nehru, the first Prime Minister of independent India, defines what freedom means for the people of India after their long struggle for independence from the British Empire.
Memorable quote: “ A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history , when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation , long suppressed, finds utterance.”
“ The Moon Speech” ( Address at Rice University on the Nation's Space Effort)
Who: President John F. Kennedy
When: September 12, 1962
Why it matters: JFK’s moon speech made the compelling case to the American people of the importance of space exploration and funding the Apollo project. The speech and its aftermath and reception ultimately led to the successful moon landing in 1969. JFK established that the United States should be the world leader in Space exploration, and marked the first significant step taken by a President to ensure its possibility.
Memorable quote: "We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy but because they are hard, because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one which we intend to win, and the others, too.”
I Have a Dream
Who: Martin Luther King, Jr.
When: August 28, 1963
Why it matters : King’s powerful and memorable speech is often quoted today. He challenged the American people to live up to their democratic ideals. He insisted on non-violent conflict resolution. His words echo on as a passionate call for freedom.
Memorable quote: "I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight; 'and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.'"
I am Prepared to Die
Who: Nelson Mandela
When: April 20, 1964
Why it matters: This is the speech thatdefinedNelson Mandela. It was given in the course of a trial of the leaders of the African National Congress, who had been accused of subversion. The trial ended with the imprisonment of eight ANC leaders including Mandela. In the speech Mandela tells his story and expresses his views on apartheid.
Memorable quote: “During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”
Tear Down this Wall
Who: President Ronald Reagan
When: June 12, 1987
Why it matters: In a speech delivered at the Berlin Wall President Ronald Reagan challenged Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to tear down the wall separating East and West Berlin. Reagan's injunction was delivered over the objections of his advisors, who thought it went too far. The speech is considered to have been a major turning point in the Cold War.
Memorable quote: “ Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”
9 influential speeches that changed the world
From Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty, or give me death" to FDR's "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself," we have selected nine of our favorite speeches that have changed the world:
Napoleon Bonaparte — "Farewell to the Old Guard"
After suffering several setbacks in the Napoleonic Wars, Napoleon was forced to abdicate his throne on April 6, 1814.
At the time of the abdication, he gave a speech praising his faithful soldiers and generals who had stuck by him:
Soldiers of my Old Guard: I bid you farewell. For twenty years I have constantly accompanied you on the road to honor and glory.
In these latter times, as in the days of our prosperity, you have invariably been models of courage and fidelity.
With men such as you our cause could not be lost; but the war would have been interminable; it would have been civil war, and that would have entailed deeper misfortunes on France.
I have sacrificed all of my interests to those of the country.
Source: Speeches That Changed The World
Georges Jacques Danton — “Dare, Dare Again, Always Dare”
Given during the tumult of the French Revolution, Danton urged his fellow French citizens to mobilize in order to push back the invading Prussian forces.
The speech was inspiring, but also chilling, as Danton pushed for those not supporting the war efforts to be put to death:
At such a moment this National Assembly becomes a veritable committee of war. We ask that you concur with us in directing this sublime movement of the people, by naming commissioners who will second us in these great measures.
We ask that any one refusing to give personal service or to furnish arms shall be punished with death. We ask that a set of instructions be drawn up for the citizens to direct their movements.
We ask that couriers be sent to all the departments to notify them of the decrees that you proclaim here. The tocsin we are about to ring is not an alarm signal; it sounds the charge on the enemies of our country.
To conquer them we must dare, dare again, always dare, and France is saved!
Giuseppe Garibaldi — Speech to his Soldiers
In the mid 19th century, Giuseppe Garibaldi led a military movement to liberate the various Italian kingdoms from Austrian rule and create a unified modern nation of Italy.
Garibaldi gave this speech in 1860 to rally his troops for further action to unify the nation:
To arms, then, all of you! all of you! And the oppressors and the mighty shall disappear like dust.
You, too, women, cast away all the cowards from your embraces; they will give you only cowards for children, and you who are the daughters of the land of beauty must bear children who are noble and brave.
Let timid doctrinaires depart from among us to carry their servility and their miserable fears elsewhere. This people is its own master.
It wishes to be the brother of other peoples, but to look on the insolent with a proud glance, not to grovel before them imploring its own freedom.
It will no longer follow in the trail of men whose hearts are foul. No! No! No!
Patrick Henry — "Liberty or Death"
On March 23, 1775, Patrick Henry stood and delivered a riveting speech to the Constitutional Congress in Richmond, Virginia. The speech had the impact of causing a resolution to narrowly pass the Congress that led to Virginia joining the American Revolution:
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, "Peace! Peace!" -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun!
The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms!
Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!
I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!
Abraham Lincoln — "The Gettysburg Address"
Delivered on November 19, 1863, the address was delivered at the Gettysburg cemetery. The speech was given at a ceremony dedicating the cemetery as the National Cemetery:
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure.
We are met on a great battlefield of that war.
We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live.
It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
Winston Churchill — "Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat"
Upon first entering the British House of Commons as the Prime Minister, Churchill gave a speech rallying the country to war against Nazi Germany.
Delivered on May 13, 1940, the speech was a call-to-arms aimed at uniting the British public against the threat of the Nazis:
I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined the government: "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat."
We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I will say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark and lamentable catalogue of human crime.
That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: victory; victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival.
Franklin D. Roosevelt — First Inaugural Address
Roosevelt delivered his First Inaugural Address on March 4, 1933 at the heart of the Great Depression in the US.
Speaking to the concerns of Americans throughout the country, Roosevelt sought to ease the fears of his citizens and highlight what the country would do to resuscitate the economy:
So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself --nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.
In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and of vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory.
And I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.
Watch the speech below:
Source: Speeches That Changed The World
John F. Kennedy — Inaugural Address
When taking the oath of office on January 20, 1961, Kennedy uttered perhaps one of the most famous lines in US political history.
Kennedy's speech was intended to inspire his audience and unite the USA against the threat of Communism:
In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility -- I welcome it.
I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it. And the glow from that fire can truly light the world. And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country. My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.
Martin Luther King Jr — "I Have a Dream"
Speaking on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, King gave one of the most famous speeches in US history on August 28, 1963. Imploring the nation to abandon its racial hatred, King shared in the speech his dream of the future of the nation:
I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
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6 of the Most Important Speeches in History
Sarah Roller
07 oct 2020, @sarahroller8.
What makes a good speech? Timing, content, humour, eloquence. But what makes a great speech, an important speech, an era-defining speech? This requires masterful oratory, the ability to convey a message with passion and emotion, one which those listening will not forget. A speech which inspires action and brings about change. We’ve rounded up six speeches in history which caused major changes, both in action and thought.
Pope Urban II – Speech at Clermont (1095)
The exact words spoken by Pope Urban II in November 1095 have been lost to history – several medieval writers have offered their versions, all varying somewhat. However, the impact of Pope Urban’s speech was monumental: the speech included the call to arms which launched the First Crusade .
Several versions of the speech use highly emotive language to refer to the ‘base and bastard Turks’ who ‘torture Christians’ and destroy churches. Whether or not Urban used words to this effect is unclear, but large swatches of men from across Europe took up the call to crusade, and embarked on treacherous journeys to the Middle East to fight in the name of Christendom.
Frederick Douglass – What to the Slave is the 4 th of July? (1852)
One of the more poignant speeches in American history, Frederick Douglass was born a slave, but rose to prominence as an abolitionist. Addressing his audience on 5 th July, deliberately choosing the day after celebrations for American independence day, Douglass highlighted the injustice and hypocrisy of celebrating ‘independence’ whilst slavery was still legal.
It took another 13 years for the Emancipation Proclamation to finally be declared. Douglass’ speech was a hit, and printed copies of it were sold immediately after it was given, ensuring its circulation across the country. Today it can be seen as a powerful reminder of the injustices and contradictions in politics around the world.
Frederick Douglass
Emmeline Pankhurst – Freedom or Death (1913)
In 1903, Emmeline Pankhurst founded the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), determined to make progress on the issues of women’s suffrage after years of debates which had achieved nothing.
Delivered in Hartford, Connecticut in 1913 on a fundraising tour, Emmeline Pankhurst’s ‘Freedom or Death’ speech remains an incredibly powerful summary of the cause she dedicated her life to, as she highlighted why women were fighting for equality under the law, and why this battle had turned militant.
Winston Churchill – We Shall Fight on the Beaches (1940)
Churchill’s 1940 speech is widely considered to be one of the most iconic and rousing addresses of the Second World War . This speech was given to the House of Commons – at the time, it was not broadcast through any wider medium, and it was only eventually in 1949 that he made a recording, at the wishes of the BBC.
The speech itself was important – not just for Churchill, who had only recently been elected Prime Minister – but also because America was yet to enter the war. Churchill knew England needed a powerful ally, and his words were designed to elicit a sense of security in Britain’s absolute commitment and determination to win the war.
The lines ‘We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender’ have been quoted repeatedly since, and are seen by many to epitomise British “Blitz spirit”.
Winston Churchill, in a picture nicknamed ‘The Roaring Lion’. Image credit: Public Domain
Mahatma Gandhi – Quit India (1942)
Given in 1942, on the eve of the Quit India movement, Gandhi’s speech called for Indian independence and set out his desire for committed passive resistance to British imperialism. By this point, India had already provided over 1 million soldiers to Allied powers, as well as large numbers of exports.
Gandhi’s speech saw the Indian National Congress agree that there should be a mass non-violent resistance movement against the British – resulting in the subsequent arrest of Gandhi and many other Congress members.
The ‘do or die’ nature of the speech, made on the eve of the movement which did eventually result in the 1947 Indian Independence Act, has cemented its place in history as one of the most importance speeches, particularly in terms of its political consequences.
Studio photograph of Mohandas K. Gandhi, London, 1931. Image credit: Public Domain
Martin Luther King – I Have A Dream (1963)
Undoubtedly one of the most famous speeches in history, when Martin Luther King took to the podium in August 1963, he cannot have known exactly how powerful his words would prove. Speaking to a crowd of 250,000 at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C., King’s words have been echoed by those fighting for social justice across the world.
Moreover, the speech is full of allusions to biblical, literary, and historical texts, grounding King’s dream firmly in recognized and familiar rhetoric and stories. However, it was not just the words which made this speech so memorable – King’s skill as an orator ensured that the passion and urgency of his words were fully conveyed to his audience.
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Top 10 Greatest Speeches
As the political season heats up, TIME takes a tour of history's best rhetoric
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Patrick Henry
Frederick Douglass
Abraham Lincoln
Susan B. Anthony
Winston Churchill
John F. Kennedy
Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Home > Publications > Reports and articles > 21 speeches that shaped our world: The people and ideas that changed the way we think
21 speeches that shaped our world: The people and ideas that changed the way we think
“An interesting selection of speeches… Throughout, Abbott provides a thorough historical context and argues convincingly for the relevance of the ideas expressed.” Financial Times
In this thought-provoking book, Open Briefing’s Executive Director, Chris Abbott, takes a close look at 21 key speeches that have shaped the world today.
Drawing upon his expertise as a leading political commentator, Chris explains how our current understanding of the world is rooted in pivotal moments of history. These moments are captured in the words of a range of influential – and occasionally controversial – figures, from Winston Churchill to Osama bin Laden. The speeches in this book are arranged thematically and each transcript is accompanied by an insightful commentary that explores how the speech relates to modern society.
Read an extract
This is a fascinating tour through the tides of events that have shaped the last one hundred years. By examining different worldviews and exploring how they have developed, Chris shows how we can come a step closer to understanding others and avoiding the mistakes of the past.
Fresh and relevant, this is a book that will make you stop in your tracks and think about what is really happening in the world today.
21 speeches that shaped our world was published in paperback on 7 June 2012. It was first published in hardback and for Kindle in August 2010.
It is available in English (Rider Books), Korean (Eiji 21), Japanese (Eiji Press), Russian (Astrel) and Portuguese (Bertrand Editoria).
More information is available at www.21speeches.com .
“Chris Abbott introduces and pulls together a fascinating gallery of speakers and turning points in recent history… Interesting concept, well executed.” New Internationalist
25 Speeches That Changed The World
Posted by List25 Team , Updated on July 19, 2024
Blood, Sweat, and Tears
Image Source
In the middle of the largest war in history, for his first speech to the House of Commons as Britain’s Prime Minister on May 13, 1940, Winston Churchill proved that England was in more capable hands. He wasted no time in calling the people to arms as he echoed Theodore Roosevelt’s famous phrase of “blood, sweat, and tears.
What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?
Frederick Douglass was a former slave and an “engineer” for the underground railroad who became an abolitionist. He was disillusioned by the effects of the Fugitive Slave Act, so when he was asked to speak on the Fourth of July celebration in 1852 in Rochester, New York, he took the opportunity to point out the hypocrisy of the nation in celebrating the ideals of freedom when it is mired by slavery.
The Decision to Go to the Moon
When the Soviet Union launched the first man into space, its government flaunted this as an evidence that communism is far superior over corrupt capitalism. On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy boldly declared its decision in Houston, TX to put the first man on the moon, which was accomplished by the end of 1960.
40th Anniversary of D-Day
A moving tribute to the Army rangers who perished in Pointe du Hoc on D-Day, this famous speech was delivered by President Ronald Reagan on June 6, 1984 to honor the original 225 rangers, only 90 of which survived and of whom almost all were in attendance. These soldiers fended off German attackers for two days without reinforcements.
Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech
A true master of written words, it was seldom that William Faulkner publicly displayed his talent for spoken word until he gave this famous speech on December 10, 1950 in Stockholm, Sweden for his contribution to American literature. As both the United States and the Soviet Union raced to develop more advanced nuclear weapons he gave a very scared nation hope with his inspirational speech.
Resignation Speech
The resignation speech delivered by George Washington on December 23, 1784 in Annapolis, Maryland at the end of the Revolutionary War supposedly brought tears to the eyes of the members of the Congress and to all the spectators present. As Major General and Commander in Chief, he had the possibility of retaining power but instead chose to do the right thing by tendering his resignation. It was so emotional and Washington trembled so much that he had to hold on to the parchment with both of his hands to keep it steady while delivering the speech.
The Man with the Muck-rake
Theodore Roosevelt’s “Man With the Muckrake”; address summed up the social and economic situation of the country on the historic day in 1906, when it was delivered. One of Roosevelt’s most important speeches, it is of inestimable value as a guide to the man and his era.
Address to the Nation on the Challenger
On January 28, 1986, millions of Americans were glued to their television sets as they watched seven Americans including the first-ever civilian astronaut, the 37-year-old school teacher Christa McAuliffe, lift off aboard the space shuttle Challenger. After just 73 seconds, the shuttle was consumed in a fireball sending everyone watching it into shock in what became known as the first death of astronauts in flight. A few hours after the disaster, President Ronald Reagan delivered a comforting speech from Washington, DC honoring the pioneers and providing comfort to the distressed citizens.
The Third Phillippic
Known as one of the greatest orators of all time, Demosthenes loved his city-state of Athens. However, while Philip II of Macedon became more daring in his incursions in the Greek peninsula, the Athenians were stuck in an apathetic stupor. He then employed his influential oratorical skills to awaken his fellow Athenians. Sick of his brethren’s apathy, he rallied them in 342 BC just as Philip was advancing on Thrace and boldly called them to action. After hearing his inspiring speech, they all cried out “To arms! To arms!”
We Shall Fight on the Beaches
Given at the House of Commons, London on June 4, 1940, this famous speech was given by one of the greatest orators of the 20th century despite being born with a speech impediment just like Demosthenes and the other greats before him. With his strong, reassuring voice, Winston Churchill boldly stated the following:
We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender
Duties of American Citizenship
A speech given by Theodore Roosevelt in Buffalo, New York on January 26, 1883, it probed into the theoretical reasons why every citizen must be involved in politics and the practicality of serving in that capacity. People must not excuse themselves from politics just because they are too busy and then blame the government for its ineptitude.
Farewell to Baseball Address
The famous speech delivered by Lou Gehrig at the Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939 would go on forever as a tribute to his luminous career. Stricken with the crippling disease that now bears his name at a young age of 36, he spoke of things that he was grateful for rather than his declining health at a tribute given him where he was presented with plaques, gifts and trophies for his dedication to his record 2,130 consecutive games.
Chief Joseph’s surrender speech
Image Source This famous speech was given during a dark moment in American history when the military declared that Chief Joseph and the Nez Perce tribe had to move onto a reservation in Idaho or face retribution. Though Chief Joseph tried to avoid violence, some of his tribesmen dissented and killed four white men. To avoid the backlash of the military, they all set out for Canada to find amnesty. They were just a mere 40 miles from the border, however, when they were defeated after a five-day battle. As they were in dire conditions, they had no choice but to surrender and Chief Joseph’s surrender speech on October 5, 1877 has been marked as one of the greatest moments of that period.
Inauguration Address
Image Source Incoming presidents around the world give their inaugural addresses, but there has never been anything more gripping than the one delivered by a very young, ambitious John F. Kennedy. As the 35th president of the United States, he embodied the fresh optimism of a nation that had just risen out of decades of war. As the citizens listened to his inaugural speech, they felt that the nation was headed towards a new frontier.
Speech of Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great was known for his great conquests but only a few knew of his oratory prowess. His talent for oration was developed while he was studying under Aristotle and he made used of it at the latter end of his conquests to motivate his men. After lording it over the Persian Empire for 10 years, Alexander decided to continue his conquest into India where they faced defeat against King Porus and his army. His men were weary from ten years of battle and they longed to go home. He then delivered a speech in 326 BC to inspire his men to continue on to fight and win which was just the motivation they needed.
Abolition Speech
William Wilberforce was a member of the British Parliament who converted to Christianity and later became an abolitionist. As a Christian, he sought to reform the evils within himself and the world and since one of the glaring moral issues of his day was slavery, he read up on the subject and met some anti-slavery activists. On May 12, 1789, he delivered his Abolition Speech before the House of Commons where he passionately made his case as to why the slave trade must be abolished. He also introduced a bill to abolish the trade and though it failed, it did not stop him from attempting to pass the bill year after year until finally, the Slave Trade Act was passed in 1807.
Duty, Honor, Country
Image Source General Douglas MacArthur was the now famous commander of Allied Forces in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. His chivalry, his experience in the battlefield, and his selfless sacrifice were all done for the sake of “Duty, Country, Honor”. This famous inspirational speech was given in 1962 while accepting the Sylvanus Thayer Award for outstanding service to the nation. His address was intended for the soldiers who would tread the same course he did, reminding them of their purpose in becoming soldiers.
Image Source Mahatma Gandhi has become popular for pioneering non-violent civil disobedience tactics in gaining independence. As wars raged all over the world, India was fighting for its liberty as well from the rule of the British crown, which ruled the country for over a century. Quit India was delivered by Gandhi on August 8, 1942 as he espoused a completely non-violent movement to oust the British with the help of the National Indian Congress. This led to the passing of the Quit India Resolution, which gave the country independence from British rule.
Their Finest Hour
Image Source Delivered by Winston Churchill on June 18, 1940 in the House of Commons, it was his third and final speech during the Battle of France. The Germans invaded France on May 10, 1940, but France’s darkest hours came when Paris fell on the 14th of June, which led to its surrender. This left England as a lone bastion of democracy in Europe against Germany’s fascism. Churchill’s speech was very critical in boosting the morale of England’s citizens and soldiers to make that dark hour their shining moment.
Funeral Oration
Image Source Pericles, which was dubbed by Thuciydies as “the first citizen of Athens,” delivered this oratory piece in Athens in 431 BC. A statesman, general and an orator, he was a product of Sophistas, tutored personally by the great philosopher Anaxagoras. He was a highly persuasive orator who influenced Athenians to build hundreds of temples, including the famous Pantheon. His speeches also inspired Athenians to become the most powerful in Greece. However, his skills in rhetoric were put to the test on February 431 BC during the annual public funeral for those who were slain in the war. He stood to the occasion to laud the glory of Athens and in inspiring the Athenians that their fallen heroes have not died in vain, like what Abraham Lincoln did during the Gettysburg Address, two thousand years later.
Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death
Image Source One of the most famous speeches in recent history, this was delivered by Patrick Henry in Richmond, Virginia on March 23, 1775. Henry had always been in the center of the brewing revolutionary sentiments in Virginia, but was particularly embroiled in the Stamp Act of 1764. He delivered his alleged “treason speech” for the Virginians to ban the act. As the tensions between the colonies and the Crown escalated with Massachusetts patriots preparing for war, he also persuaded his fellow Virginians to strengthen their defenses with this famous line, “Give me liberty or give me death.”
Citizenship in a Republic
Image Source Theodore Roosevelt was at the end of his term and to give his successor, President Taft, time to adjust to the position, he traveled to Africa and Europe. In Paris, France, he was invited to speak at the University of Paris where he delivered this famous speech on April 23, 1910. This powerful address delved on the requirements of citizenship and how democratic countries like the United States and France can stay tough and forceful amidst the fascist ideals of other nations. It was made famous by the “man in the arena” quote.
I Have a Dream
Image Source A speech given by Martin Luther King Jr. on August 28, 1963 in Washington DC, it is also considered one of the greatest speeches in American history. A century after the Gettysburg Address and the emancipation proclamation, the promise of full equality was not yet fulfilled. Black Americans still experienced racial discrimination, but amidst all these, the voice of Dr. King sent out a message of hope.
The Gettysburg Address
Image Source Delivered on November 19, 1863 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania by former US President Abraham Lincoln, this was considered one of the greatest speeches in the history of American rhetoric. One of the three founding documents of American freedom along with the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, it was made up of 272 words and was 3 minutes long. After the Battle of Gettysburg where 8,000 soldiers died and were buried in shallow graves, the community decided to build a cemetery for them. In the inauguration of the cemetery, Lincoln was asked to deliver a short speech as a causal afterthought and he penned this on the back of an envelope on the train, but the product of pure inspiration has resounded even into the future generation.
Sermon on the Mount
Image Source Given by Jesus Christ in 33 AD, believers and non-believers alike often consider the Sermon on the Mount to be one of the most famous inspirational speeches ever given. In fact, one would be hard pressed to find a more quoted, discussed, or revered piece of oration in all of history.
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Top 10 Speeches in History
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On March 12, 1933, American President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) initiated his first national “fireside chat,” a mode of communication that sought to reroute information through the traditional journalistic route in favor of more direct contact. Roosevelt wanted to connect with the people, instead of letting publishing outlets interpret his policies publicly.
FDR’s reign - which lasted far longer than any other president in American history due to his flaunting of the two-term gentlemen’s agreement in place since Washington - was as close to fascism as the American system will permit . The checks and balances built by the American Framers of the constitution, and the relatively large size of the bureaucracy, simply don’t allow for the excesses associated with actual fascist governance , but Roosevelt came awfully close, and his fireside chats played an important role in maintaining his power within the American system for such a long period of time.
With that being said, democratic governments often produce the best speakers. Democracies inspire orators, mostly because they must, as elections require voters, and voters flatter themselves, but there is also a darker aspect tempting democracy’s orators: demagoguery. Each generation of citizens of democratic polities must figure out for themselves, using history as a guide, who is a sage and who is a villian.
Below is my list of the “10 Most Famous Speeches of All Time,” and as you read through it take pains to draw the connection between grand speeches and democratic governance; between grand speeches and liberty.
10. The Funeral Oration of Pericles: 431 BC. Following the first few battles between the Athens-led Delian League and the Sparta-led Peloponnesian League, a funeral for the dead was given by the Athenians, as was their custom. In it, Pericles took pains to defend the Athenian way of life, democracy, and contrast it with other forms of government and how these orders molded men in their thought and action. Pericles’ defense of democracy has inspired statesmen, philosophers, and teachers for millenia. Far more powerful a passage can be found in Pericles’ comfort for the families of the dead, though: “I know how hard it is to make you feel this [happiness], when the good fortune of others will too often remind you of the gladness which once lightened your hearts. And sorrow is felt at the want of those blessings, not which a man never knew, but which were a part of his life before they were taken from him.” The whole speech can found here .
9. Iron Curtain speech by Winston Churchill: March 5, 1946. Churchill is heavily admired by Americans, mostly because he was often found, in his more famous speeches, to be appealing to our curious sense of honor (democratic honor was often hard to fathom by Europeans prior to World War II) and our generous spirit (fostered by our commercial, republican mores). Given in Fulton, Mo., at Westminster College, this was the speech that roused the United States into action against the Soviet Union and its aggressive post-World War II policies: “Last time I saw it all coming and I cried aloud to my own fellow countrymen and to the world, but no one paid any attention. Up till the year 1933 or even 1935, Germany might have been saved from the awful fate which has overtaken her and we might all have been spared the miseries Hitler let loose upon mankind. There never was a war in history easier to prevent by timely action than the one which has just desolated such great areas of the globe. It could have been prevented, in my belief, without the firing of a single shot, and Germany might be powerful, prosperous and honored today; but no one would listen and one by one we were all sucked into the awful whirlpool. We must not let it happen again.” It marked the onset of the Cold War. The whole speech can be found here .
8. We Shall Fight on the Beaches Speech by Winston Churchill: June 4, 1940. The United Kingdom had just been routed in France by the Germans. Hundreds of thousands of British and French forces had just made it safely to England from France thanks to the efforts of a shorthanded air force and the volunteer actions of British merchant marines and fishermen. Churchill was burdened with the unenviable task of reporting this defeat to the British public in a radio broadcast. Churchill relished his role to fire up the British public: “We shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.” The whole speech can found her e.
7. Serve the People speech by Mao Zedong: Sept. 8, 1944. Communists were not good speech givers or speech writers. This is because they didn’t have to compete for hearts and minds. Theirs was a captive audience. This speech is included here to serve as a useful reminder of socialism’s vast, underreported shortcomings as social system; to serve as a reminder of the state socialist’s blatant hypocrisy and bold chimera. Serve the people, indeed. Serve them empty bowls of gruel and stale bread in the midst of a famine. Serve them with extrajudicial killings, show trials, and one-party elections. Serve the people with art and literature bans, censorship of the press, and extravagant governing palaces. Serve the people with labor camps, unaccountable environmental catastrophes, and religious persecution. Serve the people with gaudy martial parades, secret police forces, and threats to their families. You can read the whole thing here . Study it closely.
6. The Boys of Pointe du Hoc Speech by Ronald Reagan: June 6, 1984. Forty years after the Allies retook the beaches of France from Germany, the President of the United States gave a somber speech to the men who fought there. After lauding the American, British, French, Polish, and Canadian forces for storming the heavily fortified shores of Normandy, and in the midst of a Cold War with the world’s other superpower, Reagan had this to say: “It's fitting to remember here the great losses also suffered by the Russian people during World War II: 20 million perished, a terrible price that testifies to all the world the necessity of ending war. I tell you from my heart that we in the United States do not want war. We want to wipe from the face of the Earth the terrible weapons that man now has in his hands. And I tell you, we are ready to seize that beachhead. We look for some sign from the Soviet Union that they are willing to move forward, that they share our desire and love for peace, and that they will give up the ways of conquest.” That’s how you give a speech. (It’s almost like he did that for a living or something.) The whole speech can be found here .
5. Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death Speech by Patrick Henry: March 23, 1775. In late March of 1775 the Second Virginia Convention was held at a small Episcopal church in Richmond, Va. Humble though those circumstances may have been, it was nevertheless the site of one of the most powerful call to arms in history. Patrick Henry had seen enough. The British monarchy was arming itself for war against its own colonies in North America, and ignoring the petitions of redress sent by colonial representatives to London: “Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne [...] Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne!” Faced with such dire circumstances, there were but two options: liberty or death. You can read the whole speech here .
4. Duty, Honor, Country Speech by Douglas MacArthur: May 12, 1962. General Douglas MacArthur was a divisive figure in his day. For many, he was too martial for a constitutional republic, too outspoken for a General, and some of the policies he argued for (foreign and domestic) were a bit too hawkish for my stomach. William Manchester’s biography of Douglas MacArthur, American Caesar, helped show me how important republican governance was to the General, though. MacArthur thought deeply about republicanism and the effects that war had on a republican citizen’s virtues and characteristics. I have the slight advantage of having Manchester’s work on MacArthur etched into the back of my mind while reading through the latter’s speech, given to cadets at West Point two years before his death: “His name and fame are the birthright of every American citizen. In his youth and strength, his love and loyalty, he gave all that mortality can give. He needs no eulogy from me; or from any other man. He has written his own history and written it in red on his enemy’s breast.” You can read the whole speech here.
3. Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln: Nov. 19, 1863. Given in the middle of a war between two sides that once shared a republic, Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address seals the republican circle started by Pericles celebrating democracy’s long struggle against despotic governments in Europe: “[...] that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” The Gettysburg Address symbolizes the enduring appeal of self-governance and that its flame, its light to the world, will be hard to extinguish from the North American continent. Lincoln managed to achieve this feat in 272 words. You can read the whole thing here .
2. What to the Slave Is the 4th of July? Speech by Frederick Douglass: July 5, 1852. Frederick Douglass, the abolitionist and former slave, gave a speech to a ladies’ abolition convention in Rochester, NY the after the Fourth of July to help make a point that he had been trying to make all his life: “What, to the American slave, is your 4th of July? I answer; a day that reveals to him, more than all other days in the year, the gross injustice and cruelty to which he is the constant victim. To him, your celebration is a sham; your boasted liberty, an unholy license; your national greatness, swelling vanity; your sounds of rejoicing are empty and heartless; your denunciation of tyrants, brass fronted impudence; your shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mockery; your prayers and hymns, your sermons and thanksgivings, with all your religious parade and solemnity, are, to Him, mere bombast, fraud, deception, impiety, and hypocrisy -- a thin veil to cover up crimes which would disgrace a nation of savages.There is not a nation on the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of the United States, at this very hour.” Douglas’s optimistic take on the future of the United States and the world can be found at the end of his speech . Damon Root has an especially good essay on the constitutional thought of Frederick Douglass that is also worth reading in tandem with the latter’s own words.
1. I Have a Dream Speech by Martin Luther King, Jr.: Aug. 28, 1963. It is no mistake on my part that two African-Americans have the best speeches of all time. Black Americans symbolize the future of the world: full citizens in a democratic republic, desegregated consumers in a market economy, and active participants in a liberal moral order; the world can gain a lot of knowledge through the speeches and examples set by King and Douglass. Both men learned from the wisest of his oppressors and his allies, adapting their teachings to his dire circumstances, worked for freedom and dignity, worked against hypocrisy and power, and firmly believed that the world would undoubtedly become a better place to live: “Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again, we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny, and they have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.” You can read the entire speech here .
Further thoughts
No Hitler? No Mussolini? Fascists initially gave great speeches, since they had to gain power through the democratic process, but once they gained power, fascist speeches declined precipitously in quality. If you, like me, wonder why fascist governments arose in Italy and Germany during the interwar years, then check out Daniel Ziblatt’s book on the puzzle of federalism in Germany and Italy. Ziblatt doesn’t answer the question of fascism directly, but he does do a marvelous job of tracing the historical roots of republican motives and actions in German and Italian-speaking regions of Europe before Germany and Italy came into existence.
Brandon Christensen lives in Austin with his beautiful wife and very small daughter. He is a contributor to RealClearHistory and has been featured at RealClearWorld, RealClearMarkets, Reason Papers, and the Foundation for Economic Education. He has undergraduate degrees in economics and cultural anthropology from UCLA and is also a member of the Notes On Liberty blogging consortium.
10 Of The World's Most Influential Speakers
Nelson Mandela was sent to prison for 27 years in 1962.
One of the most famous speeches in the U.S. history,
Winston Churchill's legendary speeches are most known in the context of World War II.
Throughout history, speakers have used their public appeal and influence to unite and inspire people and spread their ideas. Their speeches helped motivate people during times of struggle and these speakers had a combination of intellect and charisma that allowed them to speak with such eloquence and passion.
They managed to fight adversity using words and gave voice to entire generations of people. The goal of their speeches was not just to entertain, but also to inspire people and unite them, even if they come from different backgrounds and do not share the same ideals. Our list goes through some of the most influential speakers in human history .
10. Fidel Castro
Born in 1926 in Cuba, Fidel Castro is well known for his communist revolution. He served as the prime minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976 and was the president of the country from 1976 to 2008. Many consider him to be one of the greatest speakers in history, who managed to inspire extreme loyalty among all of his followers.
9. Leon Trotsky
Leon Trotsky was a well known Marxist revolutionary who founded the Red Army. He became extremely famous during the Communist revolution in Russia. People loved him for his intellect and extremely passionate speeches.
He sincerely believed everything he advocated, which is a quality that will be forever remembered as a part of his persona. He truly believed the ideas of Marxist communism , and people respected that. He was exiled in Mexico and assassinated by the orders of Stalin.
8. Nelson Mandela
The beloved political activist from South Africa was well known for his ability to deliver powerful speeches. He fought the apartheid and racial discrimination his entire life. He was imprisoned for his beliefs in 1962 after being charged for sabotage. He spent 27 years of his life as a political prisoner, but he never abandoned his beliefs and showed incredible strength of his spirit. He served as the president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999.
7. Ronald Reagan
The man who was a Hollywood actor and an American politician, serving as the Governor of California and then as the 40th President of the United States . His nickname was actually the “Great Communicator” because of his ability to connect the people. The speech he is most remembered for is called “Tear down this wall”, and it was delivered at the Brandenburg Gate of Berlin in 1987. In the speech, he challenged the Soviet premier Mikhail Gorbachev to destroy the Berlin Wall.
6. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
It comes as no surprise that our list opens up with this man. He was able to bring together all races in the United States and wanted to create a country where everyone was equal. Martin Luther King Jr . was a man that had incredible conviction, who was willing to risk it all for his beliefs, even going so far as to get imprisoned and assaulted because of them.
He lost his life because of his beliefs in the end, but his legacy lives on. Of course, everyone is aware of his famous “I Have a Dream” speech, delivered in front of 200,000 people.
5. Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States and is considered to have been one of the greatest speakers the country has ever seen. During the Civil War , a time when the country was divided and its fate was insecure, Abraham Lincoln delivered speeches that managed to unite the people together. His most famous speech was delivered on November 19th, 1863. It was, of course, "The Gettysburg Address”, and even though the speech was short, it had a great impact.
4. John F. Kennedy
The 35th president of the United States was a man of great charisma. He was actually the first Roman catholic president and also the youngest man to be elected for the president of the United States.
He was able to inspire the citizens of the country during times of uncertainty and it is a shame that his life was tragically cut short. His death marks an important point in American history when many things began to change.
3. Dwight D. Eisenhower
Eisenhower was a general in World War II but was also a beloved and successful president. His most famous speech was actually a warning. He was well aware of the meaning and impact of war and his speeches were filled with his wisdom about it.
He was a man who had seen the costs and consequences of war firsthand, which is why his speeches seemed more impactful than those of many other politicians. He predicted many problems the United States would face, some of which still exist today.
2. Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill is known for his fiery speeches and strong determination. He was a British politician and former Prime Minister most well known for the way he led the UK during World War II. Some of his most famous speeches are “Iron Curtain” and “Their Finest Hour”. There are entire websites dedicated to his legendary speeches, which were able to motivate and inspire men when they were faced with incredible threats to their lives and their freedom.
1. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto
Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto was the president of Pakistan from 1971 to 1973 and prime minister for four years after that. He is considered to be one of the most influential Pakistani politicians, who managed to use his incredibly charismatic speeches to make people vote for him. He is a controversial figure, but his impact can’t be denied. His legacy still lives on in Pakistan.
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15 Greatest Speeches That Changed The Course Of History
Alexandra Hall
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The thing about great speeches is that no matter how many years pass, they always leave an indelible impression on people’s minds.
Memorable, motivating, and historical are just some of the many things that great speeches do for generations to come. The greatest speeches of all time have this capability of making you feel powerful and driven to always stand up for what is right, and just.
Here Are Some Of The Greatest Speeches That Changed The Course Of History
1. john f. kennedy, inauguration address ., january 20, 1961. washington d.c ..
Popularly and lovingly known as JFK, he was probably one of the most loved Presidents’ of the United States of America. His greatest speeches were the perfect combination of optimism, style, and leadership that catapulted his popularity and established him as one of the best orators of all time. When he made his famous inaugural address, it was clear that the helms of the country were in strong hands.
“In the long history of the world, only a few generations have been granted the role of defending freedom in its hour of maximum danger. I do not shrink from this responsibility — I welcome it. I do not believe that any of us would exchange places with any other people or any other generation. The energy, the faith, the devotion which we bring to this endeavor will light our country and all who serve it — and the glow from that fire can truly light the world.
And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.
M y fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”
Related: Speak like an Orator: How to Impress People with Your Speech
2. Martin Luther King Jr . “I Have a Dream” .
August 28, 1963. washington, d.c..
Martin Luther King Jr’s “I have a dream” speech is one of the most talked-about and greatest speeches of this lifetime. 100 years after slavery was abolished, black people were still discriminated against. They were spat on the streets, hosed down with water, denied entry into public places like restaurants, and were not treated like human beings. It was during this tumultuous time that MLK Jr. made his famous speech, which spoke about hope and basic human decency.
“I have a dream that one day down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification – one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.
I have a dream today.
I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, and every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed and all flesh shall see it together.
This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith, we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith, we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.
This will be the day, this will be the day when all of God’s children will be able to sing with new meaning “My country ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. The land where my father’s died, land of the Pilgrim’s pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring!”
Related: 50 Inspiring Martin Luther King Jr. Quotes On Peace, Love and Equality
3. Chief Joseph, Surrender Speech .
October 5, 1877. montana territory ..
In the year 1877, the military had announced that the leader of the tribe Nez Perce, Chief Joseph along with his tribe had to shift to an Idaho reservation, or face consequences. In order to avoid any kind of confrontation and bloodshed, he heavily emphasized unity, togetherness, and peace. Unfortunately, some of the men in the tribe ended up killing four white men. After traveling for 1700 miles, and fighting the American army, they surrendered General Nelson A. Miles, in the Bear Paw Mountains of Montana Territory. The speech he made while surrendering was nothing short of heartbreaking.
“Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he told me before, I have it in my heart. I am tired of fighting. Our Chiefs are killed; Looking Glass is dead, Ta Hool Hool Shute is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say yes or no. He who led on the young men is dead. It is cold, and we have no blankets; the little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are – perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my Chiefs! I am tired; my heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever.”
4. Ronald Reagan. Addressing the nation about The Challenger.
January 28, 1986. washington, d.c..
On January 28, 1986, the whole of USA tuned into their televisions and radios, to witness 7 Americans take off in a space shuttle, known as The Challenger. Unfortunately, just 73 seconds later the whole shuttle was consumed by a fireball, and every person inside the shuttle died. Naturally, the whole country was shattered, and this is when the incumbent President, Ronald Reagan stepped in and made one of his most notable speeches of all time.
“We’ve grown used to wonders in this century. It’s hard to dazzle us. But for 25 years the United States space program has been doing just that. We’ve grown used to the idea of space, and perhaps we forget that we’ve only just begun. We’re still pioneers. They, the members of the Challenger crew, were pioneers.
The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for the journey and waved goodbye and ‘slipped the surly bonds of earth’ to ‘touch the face of God.’”
You can hear the full speech here .
5. Winston Churchill. “We Shall Fight On The Beaches” .
June 4, 1940. house of commons, london ..
During the battle of France, the entire Allied forces were trapped in the Dunkirk bridgehead due to being cut off from all sides by the German troops. On May 26, a humongous evacuation effort was made for the trapped troops, which was famously known as Operation Dynamo. After the evacuation was done, Churchill spoke in the House of Commons, and delivered one of his most famous speeches.
“The British Empire and the French Republic, linked together in their cause and in their need, will defend to the death their native soil, aiding each other like good comrades to the utmost of their strength. Even though large tracts of Europe and many old and famous States have fallen or may fall into the grip of the Gestapo and all the odious apparatus of Nazi rule, we shall not flag or fail. We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God’s good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old.”
6. Charles de Gaulle. The Appeal Of 18 June.
June 18, 1940. london ..
In June 1940, when it was evident that France was losing their motherland to Germany, Charles de Gaulle made his memorable speech. Since he refused to sign an armistice, he was forced to resign from his position, and his successor, Marshal Phillippe Petain worked towards fostering peace with Germany. Since he was vehemently against this decision, he escaped to England and obtained Winston Churchill’s permission to make a speech on the BBC radio.
“But has the last word been said? Must hope disappear? Is defeat final? No!
This war is not limited to the unfortunate territory of our country. This war is not over as a result of the Battle of France. This war is a worldwide war. All the mistakes, all the delays, all the suffering, do not alter the fact that there are, in the world, all the means necessary to crush our enemies one day. Vanquished today by mechanical force, in the future we will be able to overcome by a superior mechanical force. The fate of the world depends on it.”
You can read the full speech here .
7. Alexander, The Great.
326 b.c.; hydaspes river, india.
When Alexander decided to conquer India, he bit off more than he could chew. After fighting for 10 years, his men were exhausted and did not want to fight another battle. They simply wanted to go back home. In order to instill motivation in his men, he made this rousing speech to drive them to fight and win.
“I could not have blamed you for being the first to lose heart if I, your commander, had not shared in your exhausting marches and your perilous campaigns; it would have been natural enough if you had done all the work merely for others to reap the reward. But it is not so. You and I, gentlemen, have shared the labor and shared the danger, and the rewards are for us all. The conquered territory belongs to you; from your ranks, the governors of it are chosen; already the greater part of its treasure passes into your hands, and when all Asia is overrun, then indeed I will go further than the mere satisfaction of our ambitions: the utmost hopes of riches or power which each one of you cherishes will be far surpassed, and whoever wishes to return home will be allowed to go, either with me or without me. I will make those who stay the envy of those who return.”
8. George Washington. Resignation Speech.
December 23, 1784. annapolis, maryland..
When the Revolutionary War was on the verge of ending, almost everyone believed that George Washington would make a grab for supreme power. But he surprised everyone by doing the exact opposite because he realized that that would be detrimental for America. He made his famous Resignation Speech in front of the Continental Congress and emphasized oh how doing the right thing is not always easy. It still remains one of this greatest speeches.
“I consider it an indispensable duty to close this last solemn act of my Official life, by commending the Interests of our dearest Country to the protection of Almighty God, and those who have the superintendence of them, to his holy keeping.
Having now finished the work assigned me, I retire from the great theater of Action; and bidding an Affectionate farewell to this August body under whose orders I have so long acted, I here offer my Commission, and take my leave of all the employments of public life.”
Related: This Mind-Blowing Speech By Morgan Freeman Will Make You Question Every Life Decision You’ve Made
9. Socrates. The Apology Speech.
399 b.c. athens..
Being the open-minded person Socrates was, and not to forget one of the greatest, he was swiftly arrested on charges for “corrupting the minds of the youth”. But Socrates never begged for his freedom, rather he accepted the charges and tried to convince his jury. However, he was sentenced to death by hemlock.
“Someone will say: Yes, Socrates, but cannot you hold your tongue, and then you may go into a foreign city, and no one will interfere with you? Now I have great difficulty in making you understand my answer to this. For if I tell you that to do as you say would be a disobedience to the God, and therefore that I cannot hold my tongue, you will not believe that I am serious; and if I say again that daily to discourse about virtue, and of those other things about which you hear me examining myself and others, is the greatest good of man, and that the unexamined life is not worth living, you are still less likely to believe me.”
10. Mahatma Gandhi. Quit India Movement.
August 8, 1942. india..
When India was fighting to win back it’s freedom and respect from the ruthless British empire, Mahatma Gandhi was at its forefront. Gandhi along with other leaders pushed the British to quit India, hence the name. Since he believed in the principle of non-violence, he started the Quit India Movement with one of the greatest speeches known to mankind.
“I believe that in the history of the world, there has not been a more genuinely democratic struggle for freedom than ours. I read Carlyle’s French Resolution while I was in prison, and Pandit Jawaharlal has told me something about the Russian revolution. But it is my conviction that inasmuch as these struggles were fought with the weapon of violence they failed to realize the democratic ideal. In the democracy which I have envisaged, a democracy established by non-violence, there will be equal freedom for all. Everybody will be his own master. It is to join a struggle for such democracy that I invite you today. Once you realize this you will forget the differences between the Hindus and Muslims, and think of yourselves as Indians only, engaged in the common struggle for independence.”
11. William Faulkner. Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech.
December 10, 1950. stockholm, sweden..
Prior to winning the Nobel Peace Prize, William Faulkner had never disclosed his flair for the verbose. Naturally, there was a lot of curiosity regarding his acceptance speech. Due to the ongoing political tension in the country, he clearly said that instead of being afraid, it is imperative that every human being focus on the human spirit, and work towards peace and prosperity.
“I decline to accept the end of man. It is easy enough to say that man is immortal because he will endure: that when the last ding-dong of doom has clanged and faded from the last worthless rock hanging tideless in the last red and dying evening, that even then there will still be one more sound: that of his puny inexhaustible voice, still talking. I refuse to accept this. I believe that man will not merely endure: he will prevail. He is immortal, not because he alone among creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance. The poet’s, the writer’s, duty is to write about these things. It is his privilege to help man endure by lifting his heart, by reminding him of the courage and honor and hope and pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice which have been the glory of his past. The poet’s voice need not merely be the record of man, it can be one of the props, the pillars to help him endure and prevail.”
12. Abraham Lincoln . Second Inaugural Address.
March 4, 1865. washington, d.c..
When Abraham Lincoln came to power for the second time, he did not focus on his victory. Rather, he appealed to the nation and said that the war was happening between two brothers, and the secession of the South was relatively not possible. He was also ready to be lenient with the South.
“With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”
13. Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount.
33 a.d. jerusalem..
The Sermon Of Mount speech by Jesus Christ is probably the most famous and the greatest speech of all time. There is probably no other speech in this world that has been quoted, dissected, or spoken about so much. This speech has given both believers and non-believers alike, something to discuss even two thousand years later.
“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
See Matthew Chapter 5-7 for the entire speech.
Related: 15 Enlightening TED Talks on Emotional Intelligence
14. Frederick Douglass. “What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?”
July 5, 1852. rochester, ny..
Frederick Douglass was an abolitionist, former slave, and an outspoken advocate of the anti-slavery belief. His thinking was way ahead of his times, and his speeches made even liberal people feel uncomfortable and hang their heads in shame; even though he was always unanimously applauded by his audiences when he was finished.
“I am not included within the pale of this glorious anniversary! Your high independence only reveals the immeasurable distance between us. The blessings in which you this day rejoice are not enjoyed in common. The rich inheritance of justice, liberty, prosperity, and independence bequeathed by your fathers is shared by you, not by me. The sunlight that brought life and healing to you has brought stripes and death to me. This Fourth of July is yours, not mine. You may rejoice, I must mourn. To drag a man in fetters into the grand illuminated temple of liberty, and call upon him to join you in joyous anthems, were inhuman mockery and sacrilegious irony. Do you mean, citizens, to mock me, by asking me to speak today?”
15. Pericles. Funeral Speech.
431 bc. athens ..
Pericles is considered to be one of the greatest orators of all time. He was mentored by the great philosopher, Anaxagoras. His speeches motivated and inspired Athenians to fight to become the greatest power in Greece. In February 431 B.C., when he was asked to give the funeral oration for the fallen heroes, he did not concentrate on the conquests and gave one of the greatest speeches ever. Rather, he focused on the glories of the country and inspired the people to not let the sacrifices go in vain. Did you know that his funeral oration inspired Abraham Lincoln’s famous Gettysburg Address?
“So died these men as became Athenians. You, their survivors, must determine to have as unfaltering a resolution in the field, though you may pray that it may have a happier issue. And not contented with ideas derived only from words of the advantages which are bound up with the defense of your country, though these would furnish a valuable text to a speaker even before an audience so alive to them as the present, you must yourselves realize the power of Athens, and feed your eyes upon her from day to day, till the love of her fills your hearts; and then, when all her greatness shall break upon you, you must reflect that it was by courage, sense of duty, and a keen feeling of honor in action that men were enabled to win all this, and that no personal failure in an enterprise could make them consent to deprive their country of their valor, but they laid it at her feet as the most glorious contribution that they could offer.”
We hope you liked this compilation of the greatest speeches of all time. Let us know in the comments down below, which one was your favorite.
If you want to know more about the greatest speeches of this world, then check this video out below:
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10 uplifting speeches from history that will inspire you in times of crisis
Frank olito .
Throughout history, leaders have made speeches that inspired millions and changed the course of history. Those speeches still inspire us today.
Famous speeches like Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" and Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address still resonate today.
Lesser-known speeches like Hillary Clinton's "Human Rights Are Women's Rights" and Nora Ephron's commencement address are considered inspirational.
While history is no stranger to crises, there are always leaders who come forward to help usher in more hopeful times by crafting and delivering impactful speeches.
Leaders like Martin Luther King Jr., Abraham Lincoln, and Maya Angelou have all delivered speeches that inspired millions - and some even changed the course of history.
Take a look back at some of the most famous speeches from history that still move us today.
Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address in 1863 reminds people to honor those we have lost.
President Abraham Lincoln gave a relatively short speech at the deadliest battle site during the Civil War on November 19, 1863. Although it wasn't meant to be monumental, some call it the best speech in history. In it, Lincoln tells his people that they must remember each and every person who fought and died on the battlefield, especially because every human is created equal.
"The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here," Lincoln says in the address. "It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain — that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom — and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
In 1938, Lou Gehrig gave his "Luckiest Man" that celebrated the beauty of life.
On July 4, 1938, Lou Gehrig delivered a speech at Yankee Stadium after it was revealed that the baseball player had ALS. Although he was delivering devastating news to his fans in the speech, he instead focused on everything life has to offer.
"Fans, for the past two weeks you have been reading about a bad break. Yet today I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth," he said in the speech. "I have been in ballparks for 17 years and have never received anything but kindness and encouragement from you fans … So I close in saying that I may have had a tough break, but I have an awful lot to live for."
Winston Churchill delivered the "We Shall Fight on the Beaches" speech in 1940, showing the strength of the human spirit.
On June 4, 1940, Prime Minister Winston Churchill addressed Parliament during a particularly difficult time in World War II. Smithsonian Magazine called it "one of the most rousing and iconic addresses" of the era. In the speech, the prime minister told his people that they would fight together and use all their strength to defeat their enemies.
"We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender," Churchill says in the famous speech .
In 1942, Mahatma Gandhi gave his "Quit India" speech, which encouraged peaceful protests.
The day before the Quit India movement started, Mahatma Gandhi delivered an inspiring speech, on August 8, 1942 . In the speech, he told his people to resist the British government but to do so in a peaceful, organized manner. He focused on the benefits of a nonviolent uprising, which became the cornerstone of his beliefs.
The most famous line from the speech is: "I believe that in the history of the world, there has not been a more genuinely democratic struggle for freedom than ours."
John F. Kennedy delivered "The Decision to Go to The Moon" speech in 1961, proving humans know no bounds.
On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy announced to Congress and the world that the US was committed to sending an American to the moon. In the inspiring speech , the president explains the ambitious goal as one of necessity.
"Many years ago the great British explorer George Mallory, who was to die on Mount Everest, was asked why did he want to climb it. He said, 'Because it is there,'" Kennedy said in his speech. "Well, space is there, and we're going to climb it, and the moon and the planets are there, and new hopes for knowledge and peace are there. And, therefore, as we set sail we ask God's blessing on the most hazardous and dangerous and greatest adventure on which man has ever embarked."
Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous "I Have a Dream Speech" in 1963 reminds people there is always something better on the horizon.
On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr., delivered what is arguably the most famous and most inspiring speech in American history. Before the historic March on Washington, King stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and addressed the 250,000 attendees, calling for the end of discrimination and racism by dreaming about a brighter future.
"I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice," he said in the speech. "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today."
In 1993, Maya Angelou read her poem "On the Pulse of the Morning" at Bill Clinton's inauguration in an attempt to bring the global community together.
On the morning of President Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993, poet Maya Angelou delivered a moving speech when she read out her poem "On the Pulse of the Morning." It was the first time a poem had been recited at the ceremony since 1961 . In it, Angelou touched upon topics of equality and inclusion, and she attempted to inspire the world to unite under these principles.
Part of the poem reads:
"The river sings and sings on. There is a true yearning to respond to The singing river and the wise rock. So say the Asian, the Hispanic, the Jew, The African and Native American, the Sioux, The Catholic, the Muslim, the French, the Greek, The Irish, the Rabbi, the Priest, the Sheikh, The Gay, the Straight, the Preacher, The privileged, the homeless, the teacher. They hear. They all hear The speaking of the tree."
Hillary Clinton delivered the "Human Rights Are Women's Rights" speech in 1995, saying those who are suppressed also have a voice.
As the first lady, Hillary Clinton attended the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995. She was pressured to water down her message, but instead, she delivered a moving speech that still resonates today. In it, she said women who are held back by sexist governments should be set free and heard.
"If there is one message that echoes forth from this conference, let it be that human rights are women's rights and women's rights are human rights once and for all," Clinton said in the speech. "Let us not forget that among those rights are the right to speak freely — and the right to be heard."
Nora Ephron encouraged people to break the rules in her commencement address to Wellesley College in 1996.
While Nora Ephron is known for penning some of the most famous films in the '80s and '90s, she also made a legendary speech at the 1996 Wellesley College graduation ceremony . In it, she inspired women to break free of the mold placed on them.
"Whatever you choose, however many roads you travel, I hope that you choose not to be a lady. I hope you will find some way to break the rules and make a little trouble out there," Ephron said in the speech. "And I also hope you will choose to make some of that trouble on behalf of women."
She also said, "Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim."
In 1977, Harvey Milk gave his "Give Them Hope" speech, urging people to celebrate their differences and to hold on to messages of hope.
When he was running for local office in California, Harvey Milk delivered his "Give Them Hope" remarks as a stump speech . It was meant to rally supporters behind him, but it quickly became a speech of hope and celebration for the LGBT community.
"And the young gay people in Altoona, Pennsylvanias, and the Richmond, Minnesotas, who are coming out and hear Anita Bryant on television and her story. The only thing they have to look forward to is hope. And you have to give them hope," Milk said in his speech . "Hope for a better world, hope for a better tomorrow, hope for a better place to come to if the pressures at home are too great. Hope that all will be all right. Without hope, not only are the gays, but the blacks, the seniors, the handicapped, the 'us-es.' The 'us-es' will give up."
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16 Famous Speeches In History
16 Famous Speeches In History
16 Famous Speeches In History
16 Famous Speeches In History
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40 Most Famous Speeches In History
Eventually against all odds, she led England to victory despite their underdog status in the conflict with her confident and masterful oratory. 3. Woodrow Wilson, address to Congress (April 2, 1917) "The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty.
35 Greatest Speeches in History
These famous speeches lifted hearts in dark times, gave hope in despair, refined the characters of men, inspired brave feats, gave courage to the weary, honored the dead, and changed the course of history.. How did we compile this list? Great oratory has three components: style, substance, and impact. Style: A great speech must be masterfully constructed.
10 of the Most Famous and Inspirational Speeches from History
The Gettysburg Address is one of the most famous speeches in American history, yet it was extremely short - just 268 words, or less than a page of text - and Abraham Lincoln, who gave the address, wasn't even the top billing. The US President Abraham Lincoln gave this short address at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on 19 November 1863.
10 famous speeches in history that continue to stand the test of time
1963 'I Have a Dream' speech. The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. 's I Have a Dream speech, delivered on August 28, 1963, is one of the finest pieces of oratory in human history. It blended ...
The 10 Most Important and Influential Speeches in History
Urban's speech thus stands as an enormously influential example of the power of rhetoric to inspire action on a mass scale. 3. Martin Luther's Speech at the Diet of Worms (1521) In 1521, German monk and reformer Martin Luther was summoned before the Diet of Worms and ordered to recant his famous 95 theses criticizing practices of the ...
Famous Speeches in History
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In 1936, FDR addresses the "Dust Bowl" problem that had caused an agricultural crisis. 9th Grade. Speech. 1310L. Study some of the most influential speeches in history and learn how they changed the world. Browse CommonLit's selection of famous speeches now.
Great Speeches That Changed the World
Memorable quote: " A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance ...
10 Famous Speeches That Shaped History
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 1963. One of the greatest speeches in American history is Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, which was delivered on August 28, 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. In it, he advocated for an end to racism in prose that continues to strike people's hearts to this day.
Top 100 Speeches of the 20th Century by Rank
Speech Bank: Top 100 Speeches: Great New Speeches: Obama Speeches: GWB Speeches: Movie Speeches: Rhetorical Figures: Christian Rhetoric: 9/11 Speeches: News and Research: For Scholars: Rhetoric Defined: Corax v. Tisias: Plato on Rhetoric: Aristotle on Rhetoric: Comm Journals: Comm Associations: Cool Exercises: Rodman & de Ref: Speech Quiz #1 ...
Thirteen of history's most famous speeches: from Jesus and Mandela, to
Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks to the Canadian parliament via video link. PATRICK DOYLE (REUTERS) Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the president of Ukraine, is a great communicator, and his gift for exciting people with his speeches from the heart of war, without fleeing or abandoning his people, has shaped him into a hero in the eyes of his country and audiences and governments around the world.
These 11 Speeches from the Last Two Centuries Changed the World
Memorable quote: " A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history , when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation , long suppressed, finds ...
Influential Speeches That Changed the World
Martin Luther King, Jr. Wikimedia Commons. Speaking on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, King gave one of the most famous speeches in US history on August 28, 1963. Imploring ...
6 of the Most Important Speeches in History
Undoubtedly one of the most famous speeches in history, when Martin Luther King took to the podium in August 1963, he cannot have known exactly how powerful his words would prove. Speaking to a crowd of 250,000 at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C., King's words have been echoed by those fighting for social justice across the world.
Complete List
Home U.S. Politics World Business Tech Health TIME Health Entertainment Science Newsfeed Living Sports History The TIME Vault Magazine Ideas TIME Labs Photography Videos The Goods Press Room The 100 Most Influential People Next Generation Leaders Person of the Year Top of the World
21 speeches that shaped our world: The people and ideas that changed
"An interesting selection of speeches… Throughout, Abbott provides a thorough historical context and argues convincingly for the relevance of the ideas expressed." Financial Times. In this thought-provoking book, Open Briefing's Executive Director, Chris Abbott, takes a close look at 21 key speeches that have shaped the world today.
25 Speeches That Changed The World
The Man with the Muck-rake. Image Source. Theodore Roosevelt's "Man With the Muckrake"; address summed up the social and economic situation of the country on the historic day in 1906, when it was delivered. One of Roosevelt's most important speeches, it is of inestimable value as a guide to the man and his era.
Famous Speeches & Audio
Witness famous speeches and hear timeless words spoken by historical figures. Listen to recordings of speeches online on history.com. ... Eleanor Roosevelt Commemorates World Children's Day 0m 57s.
Top 10 Speeches in History
5. Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death Speech by Patrick Henry: March 23, 1775. In late March of 1775 the Second Virginia Convention was held at a small Episcopal church in Richmond, Va. Humble though those circumstances may have been, it was nevertheless the site of one of the most powerful call to arms in history.
10 Of The World's Most Influential Speakers
During the Civil War, a time when the country was divided and its fate was insecure, Abraham Lincoln delivered speeches that managed to unite the people together. His most famous speech was delivered on November 19th, 1863. It was, of course, "The Gettysburg Address", and even though the speech was short, it had a great impact. 4. John F. Kennedy
15 Greatest Speeches That Changed The Course Of History
2. Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have a Dream". August 28, 1963. Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr's "I have a dream" speech is one of the most talked-about and greatest speeches of this lifetime. 100 years after slavery was abolished, black people were still discriminated against.
List of speeches
1599: St Crispin's Day Speech by William Shakespeare as part of his history play Henry V has been famously portrayed by Laurence Olivier to raise British spirits during the Second World War, and by Kenneth Branagh in the 1989 film Henry V, and it made famous the phrase "band of brothers".
Top 10 Most Famous Speeches In History
Sometimes, history turns on the words of great people. For this list, we'll be looking at pivotal speeches by famous orators. Our countdown includes famous s...
10 uplifting speeches from history that will inspire you in times of
Hope that all will be all right. Without hope, not only are the gays, but the blacks, the seniors, the handicapped, the 'us-es.'. The 'us-es' will give up." Martin Luther King Jr.'s speeches can ...
The Vice President's Biggest Speech
In July 1988, George H.W. Bush was famous but unknown—and down in the polls by 17 points.
IMAGES
COMMENTS
Eventually against all odds, she led England to victory despite their underdog status in the conflict with her confident and masterful oratory. 3. Woodrow Wilson, address to Congress (April 2, 1917) "The world must be made safe for democracy. Its peace must be planted upon the tested foundations of political liberty.
These famous speeches lifted hearts in dark times, gave hope in despair, refined the characters of men, inspired brave feats, gave courage to the weary, honored the dead, and changed the course of history.. How did we compile this list? Great oratory has three components: style, substance, and impact. Style: A great speech must be masterfully constructed.
The Gettysburg Address is one of the most famous speeches in American history, yet it was extremely short - just 268 words, or less than a page of text - and Abraham Lincoln, who gave the address, wasn't even the top billing. The US President Abraham Lincoln gave this short address at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on 19 November 1863.
1963 'I Have a Dream' speech. The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. 's I Have a Dream speech, delivered on August 28, 1963, is one of the finest pieces of oratory in human history. It blended ...
Urban's speech thus stands as an enormously influential example of the power of rhetoric to inspire action on a mass scale. 3. Martin Luther's Speech at the Diet of Worms (1521) In 1521, German monk and reformer Martin Luther was summoned before the Diet of Worms and ordered to recant his famous 95 theses criticizing practices of the ...
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In 1936, FDR addresses the "Dust Bowl" problem that had caused an agricultural crisis. 9th Grade. Speech. 1310L. Study some of the most influential speeches in history and learn how they changed the world. Browse CommonLit's selection of famous speeches now.
Memorable quote: " A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history, when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation, long suppressed, finds utterance ...
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., 1963. One of the greatest speeches in American history is Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" speech, which was delivered on August 28, 1963 on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C. In it, he advocated for an end to racism in prose that continues to strike people's hearts to this day.
Speech Bank: Top 100 Speeches: Great New Speeches: Obama Speeches: GWB Speeches: Movie Speeches: Rhetorical Figures: Christian Rhetoric: 9/11 Speeches: News and Research: For Scholars: Rhetoric Defined: Corax v. Tisias: Plato on Rhetoric: Aristotle on Rhetoric: Comm Journals: Comm Associations: Cool Exercises: Rodman & de Ref: Speech Quiz #1 ...
Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks to the Canadian parliament via video link. PATRICK DOYLE (REUTERS) Volodymyr Zelenskiy, the president of Ukraine, is a great communicator, and his gift for exciting people with his speeches from the heart of war, without fleeing or abandoning his people, has shaped him into a hero in the eyes of his country and audiences and governments around the world.
Memorable quote: " A moment comes, which comes but rarely in history , when we step out from the old to the new, when an age ends, and when the soul of a nation , long suppressed, finds ...
Martin Luther King, Jr. Wikimedia Commons. Speaking on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC, King gave one of the most famous speeches in US history on August 28, 1963. Imploring ...
Undoubtedly one of the most famous speeches in history, when Martin Luther King took to the podium in August 1963, he cannot have known exactly how powerful his words would prove. Speaking to a crowd of 250,000 at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C., King's words have been echoed by those fighting for social justice across the world.
Home U.S. Politics World Business Tech Health TIME Health Entertainment Science Newsfeed Living Sports History The TIME Vault Magazine Ideas TIME Labs Photography Videos The Goods Press Room The 100 Most Influential People Next Generation Leaders Person of the Year Top of the World
"An interesting selection of speeches… Throughout, Abbott provides a thorough historical context and argues convincingly for the relevance of the ideas expressed." Financial Times. In this thought-provoking book, Open Briefing's Executive Director, Chris Abbott, takes a close look at 21 key speeches that have shaped the world today.
The Man with the Muck-rake. Image Source. Theodore Roosevelt's "Man With the Muckrake"; address summed up the social and economic situation of the country on the historic day in 1906, when it was delivered. One of Roosevelt's most important speeches, it is of inestimable value as a guide to the man and his era.
Witness famous speeches and hear timeless words spoken by historical figures. Listen to recordings of speeches online on history.com. ... Eleanor Roosevelt Commemorates World Children's Day 0m 57s.
5. Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death Speech by Patrick Henry: March 23, 1775. In late March of 1775 the Second Virginia Convention was held at a small Episcopal church in Richmond, Va. Humble though those circumstances may have been, it was nevertheless the site of one of the most powerful call to arms in history.
During the Civil War, a time when the country was divided and its fate was insecure, Abraham Lincoln delivered speeches that managed to unite the people together. His most famous speech was delivered on November 19th, 1863. It was, of course, "The Gettysburg Address", and even though the speech was short, it had a great impact. 4. John F. Kennedy
2. Martin Luther King Jr. "I Have a Dream". August 28, 1963. Washington, D.C. Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Jr's "I have a dream" speech is one of the most talked-about and greatest speeches of this lifetime. 100 years after slavery was abolished, black people were still discriminated against.
1599: St Crispin's Day Speech by William Shakespeare as part of his history play Henry V has been famously portrayed by Laurence Olivier to raise British spirits during the Second World War, and by Kenneth Branagh in the 1989 film Henry V, and it made famous the phrase "band of brothers".
Sometimes, history turns on the words of great people. For this list, we'll be looking at pivotal speeches by famous orators. Our countdown includes famous s...
Hope that all will be all right. Without hope, not only are the gays, but the blacks, the seniors, the handicapped, the 'us-es.'. The 'us-es' will give up." Martin Luther King Jr.'s speeches can ...
In July 1988, George H.W. Bush was famous but unknown—and down in the polls by 17 points.