Top 10 Great Historic Speeches
Published on June 1, 2008 - 109 Comments
We have already covered famous fictional speeches, so it seems a good time to discuss non-fictional ones. This list includes the greatest speeches in all time and I have also attempted to put them into order from great to greatest - this is not an easy task and I expect there will be some debate on the order - but debate is good! If you think there are other great speeches that are not included here, please feel free to say so in the comments. I may add to the “notable omissions” section. Before reading, please note that I have only included one speech per person.
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.
Kennedy was inaugurated on January 20, 1960 and on that day he gave this speech. In the speech he asks all Americans to unite against common enemies of tyranny, poverty, disease, and war. To work toward this end, Kennedy created the Peace Corps in 1961. This speech is only one of the many that Kennedy gave and it shows his great talent for rhetoric.
You can see the second half of this speech here, or you can read it in full here.
The tribute of deeds has been paid in part; for the dead have them in deeds, and it remains only that their children should be maintained at the public charge until they are grown up: this is the solid prize with which, as with a garland, Athens crowns her sons living and dead, after a struggle like theirs.
Pericles was a statesman and orator in Athens during its golden age. He had such a profound influence on society that his contemporary historians called him “the first citizen of Athens”. This speech was delivered as part of the public funeral for those who died at the end of the first year of the Peloponnesian War. According to Wikipedia, It was established Athenian practice by the late fifth century to hold a public funeral in honour of all those who had died in war. The remains of the dead were left out for three days in a tent, where offerings could be made for the dead. Then a funeral procession was held, with ten cypress coffins carrying the remains, one for each of the Athenian tribes. The procession led to a public grave (the Kerameikos), where they were buried. The last part of the ceremony was a speech delivered by a prominent Athenian citizen (in this case, Pericles).
You can read the rest of the speech here.
You have left it to women in your land, the men of all civilised countries have left it to women, to work out their own salvation. That is the way in which we women of England are doing. Human life for us is sacred, but we say if any life is to be sacrificed it shall be ours; we won’t do it ourselves, but we will put the enemy in the position where they will have to choose between giving us freedom or giving us death.
Pankhurst was one of the leaders of the British suffragette movement before World War I and her name is the one most commonly associated with the group. She was arrested on a number of occasions and it was between imprisonments that she travelled to America and gave the speech here. It was not until 1928 that women were granted fully equal rights of voting as men in Britain.
You can read the rest of the speech here.
You have thus far waged unjust wars, at one time and another; you have brandished mad weapons to your mutual destruction, for no other reason than covetousness and pride, as a result of which you have deserved eternal death and sure damnation. We now hold out to you wars which contain the glorious reward of martyrdom, which will retain that title of praise now and forever.
Pope Urban II (French born Otho de Lagery) is best known as the Pope who started the first crusade. It is with the speech here that he declared the crusade open at the Council of Clermont. The first crusade was called in order to help the Byzantine Emporer fight against the Islamic rulers in the Holy Land. The crusade was a success and the Kingdom of Jerusalem was created as a result. In addition to starting the first crusade, Pope Urban II created the Roman Curia (a group of Bishops who help in the day to day running of the Church), and was considered a great diplomat.
You can read the rest of the speech here.
A borrowed book is like a guest in the house; it must be treated with punctiliousness, with a certain considerate formality. You must see that it sustains no damage; it must not suffer while under your roof. You cannot leave it carelessly, you cannot mark it, you cannot turn down the pages, you cannot use it familiarly. And then, some day, although this is seldom done, you really ought to return it.
Phelps was an author and a scholar who taught at Yale University in the English department for 41 years. This speech is included because it is a great treatise on books and reading. It was read over the radio one year before the Nazi’s began their systematic destruction of books in Germany which did not match Nazi ideals.
You can read the rest of the speech here.
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? I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother’s grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain’t I a woman?
Sojourner Truth was a slave woman freed by the abolition of slavery in New York. She became a well known support of the abolitionist cause, traveling around the US. The speech here was delivered in 1851 at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention. In 1872 she tried to vote in the presidential election but was turned away at the polling place. She died in 1883.
You can read the rest of the speech here.
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.
Due to a tip-off from the CIA, Mandela was arrested in 1962 for inciting people to strike and leaving the country without a permit. He was sentenced to five years in prison. In 1964, the government brought further charges including sabotage, high treason and conspiracy to overthrow the government. This speech is his opening statement at the trial.
You can read the rest of the speech here.
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.
King delivered this speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial during the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. The speech is seen as a turning point in the struggle for equality that black Americans were suffering. The speech was ranked Top American Speech by a poll of scholars of public address. The famous part of the speech (”I have a dream”) was not actually written down - King ad-libbed this section.
You can read the rest of the speech here.
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 battle-field of that war.
The Gettysburg address is the most quoted speech in US history and is the most famous of Lincoln’s. The exact wording of the speech is not known as the five original copies that still exist all differ slightly and differ from contemporary newspaper texts. The speech was delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers’ National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on the afternoon of Thursday, November 19, 1863, during the American Civil War, four and a half months after the Union armies defeated those of the Confederacy at the decisive Battle of Gettysburg.
You can read the rest of the speech here.
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[.]
This speech was given shortly after Winston Churchill became Prime Minister. It was the second of the three well known speeches given by Churchill during the Battle of France (the others being “Blood, toil, tears, and sweat”, and “This was their finest hour”). The speech was given in the wake of withdrawal of British forces from from France at Dunkirk. Churchill, a master rhetorician, used anaphora (see item 3), asyndeton (see item 9), and Germanic root words (see item 3 here) throughout the speech to give it more impact.
You can read the rest of the speech here.
Well George, we knocked the bastard off.
This famous line was spoken by Sir Edmund Hilary after he and Sherpa Tenzing had conquered mount Everest. I have included it here (even though it is not truly a speech) because it is such a great line and has the force of a speech!
Notable omissions: Patrick Henry’s “Give me liberty or give me death”
This article is licensed under the GFDL because it contains quotations from the Wikipedia articles: Gettysburg Address, and Pericles’ Funeral Oration
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1. domnick - June 2nd, 2008 at 6:22 am
good list, liked the churchill speech
2. Chris - June 2nd, 2008 at 6:23 am
I think the MLK’s I Have a Dream speech should be 1 or 2.
3. DiscHuker - June 2nd, 2008 at 6:36 am
i’d have to put MLK #1 as well. if you say that the top 3 were all equally important to their time and they were all written with equal expertise i cannot argue. these were all brilliant men. however, MLK’s delivery was masterful with the rise and fall of tempo, pitch and volume.
gives me chills everytime.
4. mitchsn - June 2nd, 2008 at 6:38 am
One of the most audacious things I’ve ever heard a politician say was Ronald Reagans speach at the Berlin wall during the Cold War. World leaders, when talking to other world leaders, rarely are so confrontational or direct, but Reagan’s demand for Gorbechev to
“Tear down this wall!”
should go down in history as one of the greatest speaches ever.
5. SocialButterfly - June 2nd, 2008 at 6:43 am
I have chills from all of them!!! Perfect list for the first day at a new job!
6. Thegsey - June 2nd, 2008 at 6:55 am
I read a couple of days ago that it wasnt churchill that made that speach. It was an actor who had trained to impersonate churchill to stand in for him. I will look back later and find the mans name.
Still an amazing speach though, regardless.
7. WarningDontReadThis - June 2nd, 2008 at 6:59 am
Great list, true to listverse
8. WarningDontReadThis - June 2nd, 2008 at 7:08 am
I too think “I have a dream” should be nr 1, I get chill each time I hear it.
9. Zubair - June 2nd, 2008 at 7:14 am
The speech which mandela gave. Was it not at the Rivonia trial where he was sentenced to life in prison of which he served 27 ?
Without wiki and because i am a South African it’s what i think happened….
10. The-Dude - June 2nd, 2008 at 7:26 am
I had a dream once, i got better (in house joke, sorry).
Great list got to say Churchill’s one liners are as great as his speeches.
11. Bobbi - June 2nd, 2008 at 7:33 am
Was Virginia Woolf’s “Professions for Women” a speech and then an essay? If it was a speech, I think it would be a nice addition to this list. If it was just an essay, disregard the above.
Great list.
12. JwJwBean - June 2nd, 2008 at 7:34 am
You are correct, Zubair. It was his opening statement at his 1964 trial for sabotage, high treason and conspiracy to overthrow the government. According to this site: http://www.historyplace.com/speeches/mandela.htm
Great list. Interesting the ones you chose too. Do you think the order is influenced by where we live or come from?
13. trojan_man - June 2nd, 2008 at 7:45 am
great list. Further down (maybe 10-30 range) would be George Bush’s speech in front of Congress on September 20, 2001. He is not a great orator or even a great President, but that day he was a great leader. He said what needed to be said. He made me, as an American, recognize how much I had taken for granted. The only problem is…every day since has been a whole lot of crap.
14. warrrreagl - June 2nd, 2008 at 7:48 am
One of the prerequisites for delivering a great speech is that the speaker must be a hell of a character. And that’s why there are no contemporary speeches on the list - we tend to strip off all the colorful aspects of our leaders until they’re boring (and can deliver boring speeches).
15. Ro - June 2nd, 2008 at 8:05 am
Churchill is a bit over rated, I think. His wit was mainly glib talk, and others could’ve responded to his remarks, but they knew and correctly so that “Silence is golden ,speech is silver”
16. bird - June 2nd, 2008 at 8:11 am
YouTube - Ronald Reagan - Shuttle Disaster
A fantastic speech. Could not add the link at this time. Check YouTube
17. teacherman - June 2nd, 2008 at 8:13 am
Not having MLK at #1 is crazy. I nearly get chills and tears every time I hear it.
18. WarningDontReadThis - June 2nd, 2008 at 8:23 am
The-Dude: You had a dream :O ?!
19. Bob - June 2nd, 2008 at 8:44 am
What, no “Mission Accomplished” speech?
Also: End Womens’ Suffrage Now!
20. The-Dude - June 2nd, 2008 at 8:53 am
WarningDontReadThis: It was about a shrubbery that asked me; ‘who does the Grail serve?’
21. number 13 - June 2nd, 2008 at 9:02 am
#1 MLK
#2 Lincoln
#3 Winston
22. SlickWilly - June 2nd, 2008 at 9:06 am
Ehheh…ehheh…ehheh…my fellow Americans…Let’s Roll. Ehheh.
Sheesh.
Great list, btw.
23. chanel - June 2nd, 2008 at 9:37 am
MLK totally should have been number one
that speech will never been be forgotten, and almost every single American i know, whether educated or not, could recite at least one line from that speech.
give it another ten/twenty years, and Barack Obama’s “Yes we can” will for sure be remembered as one of the greatest speeches in history.
24. smerkis - June 2nd, 2008 at 9:40 am
Daniel Websters’ “Rope of sand” speech. Look it up
25. Dane - June 2nd, 2008 at 9:42 am
What, no Malcolm X?!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=TO6Co8v2XjY
26. WarningDontReadThis - June 2nd, 2008 at 9:50 am
The-Dude: Those pesky shrubberies, always going around saying stuff, especially: Ni!
27. alextenn - June 2nd, 2008 at 9:52 am
Lincoln’s second inaugural address was excellent… some might say it was even better than the Gettysburg.
Also, in the realm of movies that had some sort of an historic impact, Atticus Finch’s (Gregory Peck’s) “the evil assumption” courtroom speech is fantastic.
28. Blogball - June 2nd, 2008 at 9:55 am
I really like this kind of stuff so this list was very enjoyable for me.
Too bad video cameras or recorders were not around when Lincoln made that famous speech.
I have read that Lincoln’s voice was rather high pitched.
The only speech that I can think of right now that might deserve some attention is FDR’s Declaration of War. “December 7, 1941 - a date which will live in infamy”
Also his “Nothing to fear but fear itself” speech during the depression is also worth mentioning.
If this was a list of best delivery of a speech MLK would be # 1 in my opinion.
29. Cedestra - June 2nd, 2008 at 10:35 am
It hasn’t come up (yet) but if you want to really know a good perspective on Nelson Mandella and the apartheid of South Africa, watch “Amandala!”. It’s slant it based around the music of the time, but goes through some pretty specific details about what went on and how the people felt. It’s a documentary, and it’s the most entertaining of movies, but I enjoyed it.
30. dgsinclair - June 2nd, 2008 at 10:39 am
What about Luther’s declaration at the Diet of Worms? I’d say it has affected us more than any of the speeches above.
And what about the Sermon on the Mount? Also another timeless speech that has affected generations.
31. mregan - June 2nd, 2008 at 10:41 am
Padraig Pearse’s speech at the grave of O’Donovan Rossa is mighty affecting.
32. james - June 2nd, 2008 at 10:52 am
You only have to read Churchill’s and British pride runs through your veins. He certainly wasn’t going to be beaten. Such courage and spirit.
33. kiwiboi - June 2nd, 2008 at 11:04 am
Churchill is a bit over rated, I think.
A strange comment, given Churchill is one of the 20th century’s foremost orators.
34. Randall - June 2nd, 2008 at 11:05 am
Great list, though I will disagree with the general thrust of everyone here and say that I think Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address should be at number one. What people fail to realize is that the genius of the Address is not just its greatness as a speech, but on account of its sublime elegance and simplicity, which includes the fact that it is a very short speech–we have to remember–a speech need not be long to be great. Lincoln knew this, and his words were chosen and parsed carefully–and kept to a minimum–with the knowledge that a forceful and moving message often needs few words.
The speaker who preceded Lincoln that day knew this–he had delivered a far longer speech, but when he heard Lincoln’s, the story is that he immediately congratulated the president on taking far fewer words to say a far more moving and eloquent thought.
35. EAL - June 2nd, 2008 at 11:13 am
I heard that after Lincoln gave the Gettysburg Address, he said that the speech hadn’t gone over well and that it was a failure.
36. christopherborne@yahoo.com - June 2nd, 2008 at 11:31 am
I would have gone for “Ich Bin Eine Berliner” rather than his inaugural address, but other than that, great list.
37. kiwiboi - June 2nd, 2008 at 11:51 am
Bismarck’s famous Blood and Iron speech (actually, Iron and Blood) might have made the list :
Not through speeches and majority decisions will the great questions of the day be decided - that was the great mistake of 1848 and 1849 - but by iron and blood.
Stirring stuff.
38. schiesl - June 2nd, 2008 at 12:07 pm
What about the Win one for the Gipper speech. That is a great one. No but seriously, i think Hitlers first speech as chancellor has great historical importance. now i hate the guy, but still, not having hitler who arguably was one of the greatest public speakers in history is not right. (again, i find him to be a douch and a tool bag, but still)
39. mitchsn - June 2nd, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Not historic, but the most emotional..
The Iron Horse Lou Gehrig. Prime of his life, at the top of his career knowing he has only a few years to live after being diagnosed with ALS, declares himself “The luckiest man on the face of the earth”
40. John - June 2nd, 2008 at 12:44 pm
I’m pretty disappointed that Lou Gehrig’s speech wasn’t included.
41. Bob - June 2nd, 2008 at 12:46 pm
Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!
42. Quiana - June 2nd, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Good List, Im not fussy over the order, its just a good collection over all.
43. Avi - June 2nd, 2008 at 12:56 pm
I may be evil saying this (seeing as how i am jewish also), but i think Hitler for all his flaws, and quite large ones they are, should have gotten a speech on this list. His speeches were as influential as anything made by any of the top 3 spots.
May he rot in hell anyway of course.
44. Blogball - June 2nd, 2008 at 1:23 pm
If there was a list of the top 10 speeches of political people where they have to defend their actions in regards to accepting illegal campaign contributions & gifts such as a dog then this speech would defiantly be near the top of the list.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqWMI0Ch5cM
45. jfrater - June 2nd, 2008 at 1:40 pm
Thegsey: It is an urban legend that an actor read Churchill’s speech - you can read the details on Wikipedia.
As for the MLK Speech - I felt the Churchill speech should be higher because Churchill is considered the greatest orator in his time and this is but one of his many great speeches.
And finally - every exclusion mentioned so far are ones that I considered adding to the list
46. WarningDontReadThis - June 2nd, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Jfrater: Really? Thank Fry!
You know Hitler was considered a pretty good orator too.
47. filipinoknight - June 2nd, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Im amazed that FDR’s “Day of Infamy” speech. It was pretty much the declaration for war.
48. jfrater - June 2nd, 2008 at 1:58 pm
WarningDontReadThis and Avi, yes - I agree about Hitler and tried to seek out his best speech, but in the end I had to cut him in favor of others on the list.
49. LordCalvert - June 2nd, 2008 at 2:05 pm
atta boy Bob! that’s exactly the one i wanted to see
http://youtube.com/watch?v=WjWDrTXMgF8
50. MPW - June 2nd, 2008 at 2:08 pm
MLK should definitely be number 1. whenever i think of a speech i think of him.
it should be MLK, Lincoln,Churchill just like number 13 suggested.
also the FDR speech that filipinoknight mentioned
good list though.
51. WarningDontReadThis - June 2nd, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Jfrater: Thats understandable.
52. Csimmons - June 2nd, 2008 at 2:19 pm
I say MLK’s should be 1 or 2, but a great list otherwise.
53. jfrater - June 2nd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
MLK gave one great speech - Churchill gave many - all of which were examples of brilliant rhetoric and a masterful grasp of the English language - students of rhetoric study Churchill’s speeches. That is why he is number 1.
54. goof_ball - June 2nd, 2008 at 3:48 pm
yay speeches!
55. MPW - June 2nd, 2008 at 3:49 pm
jfrater: just wondering and i mean no disrespect did churchill write his own speeches? did any of these people write their own?
56. jfrater - June 2nd, 2008 at 3:59 pm
MPW: Churchill wrote all of his own speeches. Lincoln wrote the Gettysburg address - and I presume the majority of the rest did as well. This may not be true of Kennedy but I am not sure.
57. jfrater - June 2nd, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Thanks to JwJwBean and Zubair for pointing out my error in the Mandela entry - it is now fixed.
58. bwmyers18 - June 2nd, 2008 at 4:06 pm
Sorry but the greatest speech of the last 50 years was only six words long :
“Are you guys ready ? Let’s roll.”
Todd Beamer Sept. 11, 2001
59. MPW - June 2nd, 2008 at 4:10 pm
jfrater, that is good to know. i guess your choice of churchill at number 1 is right on:)
i guess i disagreed because i am from the USA
60. MPW - June 2nd, 2008 at 4:12 pm
jfrater, do you know whats wrong with my profile? click on my name by the top commenters. an error of some kind?
61. Kreachure - June 2nd, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I’m sorry too, but the best single-phrase speech in history is without a doubt this one:
“It’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Seriously, it was said from the frickin’ moon. You just can’t top that.
62. jfrater - June 2nd, 2008 at 5:05 pm
MPW: I have sent a support ticket to the hosting admins - hopefully they can resolve it
63. MPW - June 2nd, 2008 at 5:14 pm
thanks j
64. Blogball - June 2nd, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Kreachure, not to be picky but Armstrong forgot to say the “a” He said “It’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” It’s funny because leaving out the “a” makes it take on a slightly different meaning.
65. dilberto - June 2nd, 2008 at 5:55 pm
class list,
I thought Churchill’s speech on the role of the RAF during the battle of britain was a good turn of phrase and showed the importance of the fighters, ‘never in the field of human conflict, was so much, owed to so few, by so many
66. Diogenes - June 2nd, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Great collection here. I havent yet, but will take time to read them.I haven’t gone throught the comments either so….. I wonder what a cut-up of all of these speaches might sound like? That might be interesting to…spoken into a tape recorder by a speed reader.
I will read them, honest.
I think I recall that the Gettysburg address was over, practically before it began. the image of a head over other heads, among the crowd, couldn’t take the picture fast enough.
It must of been something else, to be “there” with one’s own ears..before microphone-cables-speaker systems-tee vees. Can you image being stuck in back (because you woke up late) “Uhh Can You speak up!? Abe! Hey, Abe! I can’t hear you. Can you repeat that!”
In a quick overview of the list I thought of, Ralph Waldo Emerson.
His “Self Reliance” is a piece of work. I’m sure he must have spoken it before a crowd, as he was considered one of the great orators of his time.
67. MPW - June 2nd, 2008 at 6:07 pm
great american quotes but not speeches:)
68. Diogenes - June 2nd, 2008 at 6:07 pm
P.S.> From great cheeses to great speeches.
Just putting that out there.
69. Crimanon - June 2nd, 2008 at 6:08 pm
Blodball: No, he said it. There was an audio malfunction. Analysis has found it, well, part of it. Either way, what if he was just excited. Everyone has had one of those stupid stutter moments. When reading Shakespeare or hitting on that chick on the other side of the room. Sometimes you just over think it.
70. MPW - June 2nd, 2008 at 6:20 pm
crimanon, that is cool. i never knew
71. Inez - June 2nd, 2008 at 6:21 pm
Hooray for #8!
72. jfrater - June 2nd, 2008 at 6:37 pm
MPW: Your profile is now fixed
73. JwJwBean - June 2nd, 2008 at 6:54 pm
J: Thank you for fixing that.
I had to give a speech in College Speech class. I wish I had known about Ain’t I A Woman? by Sojourner Truth. I can’t remember the speech I did, but I remember it was a man’s speech and I had dressed in my boyfriend’s suit and pulled my hair up and slicked it back. My teacher didn’t even recognize me at first. But Sojourner’s would have a been a much more memorable speech.
74. Diogenes - June 2nd, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Sojourner Truth’s words are so direct, as if she were in the audience; hushed or held down by her Miss, but she shrugged off and stood and spoke. wooden floors creaking and hand held fans wavering.
How was it delivered, I wonder.
75. Diogenes - June 2nd, 2008 at 7:04 pm
well ok, I do read ” delivered in 1851 at the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention. ” and that she was free when she spoke it. But damn if the speach isnt’t filled with a sence of urgency.
Just heard on the radio as I write this: Bo Diddley’s dead. R.I.P.
76. jfrater - June 2nd, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Diogenes: As a matter of fact - she marched herself up to the steps, sat down, and delivered the speech uninvited. So I think you are spot on with your interpretation. Amazing woman and an amazing speech!
77. Diogenes - June 2nd, 2008 at 7:25 pm
I am sure that there were no pictures of William Lyon Phelps, with a huge toothy smile available eh? , His ” Pleasure of Books” isn’t anything that I havent heard or met in someone, or thought myself. It’s a tad dry and yet romantic. But true.
78. jfrater - June 2nd, 2008 at 7:33 pm
Diogenes: I actually included it so there would be one great speech which was not delivered in a time of trial or for political reasons
79. Ski - June 2nd, 2008 at 8:50 pm
Can’t argue with your choices…though many more are worth consideration. Patrick Henry, Franklin Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, to name just a few Americans. My beef lies in the relevance, or lack thereof, of JFK’s quote vis-a-vis today’s political and social culture.
Kennedy’s “Ask not…” resonates with me, as I am old enough to remember it vividly. Sadly those words seem moot after 47 years of socialist tinkering.
I also remember his stirring words admonishing a world of nations, some cowed by, some enamored with, Soviet style totalitarianism:
“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”
This quote seems particularly relevant today.
Great speeches are great when we can relate to them. I don’t think we’re relating very well… at least not to Kennedy’s.
Keep up the good work. Love The List Universe.
80. Vera Lynn - June 2nd, 2008 at 8:53 pm
The greatest words spoken were to help others or inspire people to come up to the plate. All thess speeches fulfill that requirement. I agree that MLK Jr speech gives me shivers and makes me cry when I hear it.I show it every year to my students. Their reaction is the same as mine. They have heard of him and his work but the words make all the difference. Now I have video to show the others as well. To be so eloquent and stunning in meaning is a powerful thing that must be used for good. I abhor the fact that people are cheering for Hitler. He was a monster with a perforated brain due to Parkinsens and tirtuary (sp?)syphillis. I don’t “hate” anyone enough to cause them or their family (people) harm.I just don’t get it.
81. Arkz - June 2nd, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Really no FDR, seriously i thought his, “only thing we have to fear is fear itself” speech would be here.
82. Miss Destiny - June 2nd, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Nice list, was hoping Lincoln would be on it. I remember going to Washington DC when I was younger and being so in awe of seeing the words carved into the walls of the Lincoln Memorial. It brought a smile to my face after being disappointed when I realized that the statue was too large for me to sit on its lap.
Yeah, I was a weird child.
I really enjoyed the Sojourner Truth speech. So simple yet so powerful.
83. TicoTuanis - June 2nd, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Ronald Reagan-A Time for Choosing (aka “The Speech”)
http://www.americanrhetoric.co.....oosing.htm
I don’t think MLK speech is that good. In the end it to much of a “fantasy” i think it would be really hard to have blacks and whites leave together.
the churchill one is good though
84. Raihan - June 3rd, 2008 at 12:24 am
First time writing here. I’m from Bangladesh. Very few people know about Bangladesh and it’s freedom struggle. Here’s a link of a freedom Speech of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman (7 March, 1971). This speach started our freedom fight literally. If you don’t have patience list to the last part of the speech …… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3sKcC_YqzTo
85. chubbybubba - June 3rd, 2008 at 3:07 am
George W. Bush’s post 9-11 “Line in the sand” speech.
While many can and will argue it’s validity as a ‘great’ speech, it can not be argued that it epitomized the anger and patritoism all americans felt after the tragedy of 9-11. Further it propelled President Bush to heights of approval by both americans and congress prior to the close/disclosure of the ‘failure’ of the war iraq.
86. Jack Deth - June 3rd, 2008 at 4:24 am
Nice list, particularly Churchill’s at the end.
Even now, listening to his speech brings a lump to my throat, having been told about how things were for ordinary people back then, my Granddad said that the man brought them hope and steeled their nerves.
Thank God for the man.
87. Tonny SS - June 3rd, 2008 at 4:39 am
I’m not exaggerating this, but no.6, the Pleasure of Books certainly changed my life.
When people asked me, why are you buying so many books? Why aren’t you buying hard cover? And why don’t you just borrow the book? And then they were surprised I read some book as many as 4 times over.
It simply much more satisfying to enjoy reading instead of babysitting a book.
88. Alok - June 3rd, 2008 at 4:49 am
Everybody forgot Clinton’s famous “I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky.”
89. Spart - June 3rd, 2008 at 4:56 am
Churchill is the correct choice for number one. It was the darkest days of the war, the blitkreig was a wave of shock and awe that was rolling across Europe.
England stood as an island of hope, with its colonial allies on the other sides of the world while America vaccilated and clamoured for distance from the War of Europe.
A nation of shop keepers stood firm against the Boche and Churchill mustered the strength of the few…
How can that not be the best speech of all time?
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And no, Im not English (nor American), before everyone jumps on me.
90. abhilash warrier - June 3rd, 2008 at 5:31 am
Subash Chandra Bose’s “Give me blood; I’ll give you freedom” speech was an awesome one because it led lot of people to join the Indian National Army to fight against British imperialism in India.
He took few cadets away from Mahatma Gandhi’s non-violent path; that requires some conviction and skill.
91. titansfan - June 3rd, 2008 at 7:34 am
Alok: (in my best Clinton voice)”That depends on how you define the word ‘forgot.’”
92. Triston - June 3rd, 2008 at 10:33 am
THANK YOU for not placing MLK speech as #1… while it is a great speech of it’s time there are a number of greater speeches that hold more power…One in particular would be “The Speech” by former President Ronald Regan…
93. dgsinclair - June 3rd, 2008 at 10:51 am
I still say leaving out Martin Luther’s (the *original* martin luther
declaration at Worms, and the Sermon on the Mount, is a bit of an oversight.
94. facekickin - June 3rd, 2008 at 10:56 am
no bill pullman from independence day? c’mon, i’d like to see obama or clinton step into a f-14 tomcat when they come for us..
95. Dante - June 3rd, 2008 at 6:48 pm
How about Adolf Hitler’s speech during the 1936 Summer Olympics games?
“The sportive, knightly battle awakens the best human characteristics. It doesn’t separate, but unites the combatants in understanding and respect. It also helps to connect the countries in the spirit of peace. That’s why the Olympic Flame should never die.” -Adolf Hitler, 1936
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Also Dwight’s speech from The Office.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=THOJAWZD-vE
“Blood alone moves the wheels of history! Have you ever asked yourselves in an hour of meditation which everyone finds during the day, how long we have been striving for greatness? Not only the years we’ve been at war, the war of work. But from the moment as a child when we realized that the world could be conquered. It has been a lifetime struggle, a never-ending fight, I say to you, and you will understand that it is a privilege to fight!” -Dwight K. Schrute, 2006
96. Michael Llaneza - June 3rd, 2008 at 8:15 pm
Yeah, Churchill’s career was a landmark in the history of the English language. And speaking of English oratory, it’s a shame the St. Crispin’s Day speech from (iirc) Henry the Vth is fictional (the dialog anyway).
97. Drogo - June 4th, 2008 at 2:20 am
Richard Nixon’s “I am not a crook!” speech were he defended the honesty[yeah,right] of the Office of the President. - (I heard that “I am not a crook” is a misquote.)
98. Drogo - June 4th, 2008 at 2:27 am
“were” should be where or …in which…
99. Jennie - June 4th, 2008 at 6:55 am
I used to hear the lincoln speech alot as a kid (even though I’m Canadian). It would be on tv shows constantly.
Although, I’ll never forget the speech Clinton made about “not having sexual relations” with Monica Lewinsky *snicker*
100. Theo - June 4th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Read the following bearing the ‘war on terror’ in mind…
Hermann Goering:
Naturally the common people don’t want war; neither in Russia, nor in England, nor in America, nor in Germany. That is understood. But after all, it is the leaders of the country who determine policy, and it is always a simple matter to drag the people along, whether it is a democracy, or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G%C3%B6ring
101. Joe Hurley - June 4th, 2008 at 3:46 pm
Last time I checked, The Sermon on the Mount had more effect that any of the speeches on the list.
102. jongleur - June 6th, 2008 at 9:53 pm
I don’t suppose it would hurt to correct the record. The segment of speech attributed to Pope Urban II was actually given by Guibert, Abbot of Nogent, in “Historia quae dicitur Gesta Dei per Francos.”
Scroll up from Pope Urban’s speech to read what Guibert had to say.
Here are Pope Urban’s striking words…
103. LDW - June 10th, 2008 at 8:03 am
On April 4, 1968, Robert F. Kennedy learned of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. and gave a heartfelt, impromptu speech in Indianapolis’s inner city, in which Kennedy called for a reconciliation between the races. Riots broke out in 60 cities in the wake of King’s death, but not in Indianapolis, a fact many attribute to the effect of this speech.
This should be in the top 10.
104. idig03 - June 12th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Does it have to be an authentic speech, because Henry V’s speech rocks on.
If we are mark’d to die, we are enow
To do our country loss; and if to live,
The fewer men, the greater share of honour.
God’s will! I pray thee, wish not one man more.
By Jove, I am not covetous for gold,
Nor care I who doth feed upon my cost;
It yearns me not if men my garments wear;
Such outward things dwell not in my desires.
But if it be a sin to covet honour,
I am the most offending soul alive.
No, faith, my coz, wish not a man from England.
God’s peace! I would not lose so great an honour
As one man more methinks would share from me
For the best hope I have. O, do not wish one more!
Rather proclaim it, Westmoreland, through my host,
That he which hath no stomach to this fight,
Let him depart; his passport shall be made,
And crowns for convoy put into his purse;
We would not die in that man’s company
That fears his fellowship to die with us.
This day is call’d the feast of Crispian.
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is nam’d,
And rouse him at the name of Crispian.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say ‘To-morrow is Saint Crispian.’
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars,
And say ‘These wounds I had on Crispian’s day.’
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he’ll remember, with advantages,
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words-
Harry the King, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester-
Be in their flowing cups freshly rememb’red.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne’er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remembered-
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne’er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition;
And gentlemen in England now-a-bed
Shall think themselves accurs’d they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin’s day
105. idig03 - June 12th, 2008 at 11:52 am
Ha! Sorry - first time here and just saw another spot for fictional speeches. My bad, folks
106. NOYB - June 15th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
John F. Kennedy was ELECTED in 1960 and inaugurated on January 20, 1961, NOT 1960.
107. Matt P - July 7th, 2008 at 7:36 am
as a stern brit i would have to put Rev Ian Paisley on there somewhere solely because when he could give a speech better than anyone, regardless of wether he was right or wrong
108. praveen b - August 15th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Great collection. But one of the greatest speech ever made was by the first Indian Prime minister Mr J Nehru on the eve of Indias independence. This is titled “A tryst with Destiny”
Please include this.