Throughout history, the human race has progressed drastically. Our leaders, important figures for our progression, have often facilitated this societal progress through speeches, where they explain to society how how to make this progress. Some of these speeches may be relatively drab while others may make profound impacts on society and its progression. This list commemorates the best of speeches:
7. Franklin D Roosevelt
Franklin D Roosevelt, before being elected to the Presidency of the United States of America, was an optimistic, gentle and buoyant speaker, who rarely talked about what he might do if he was elected. In this drastically different speech, FDR discussed the nation’s “common difficulties” and convinced Americans of his wide and effective scope of work. – “Only Thing We Have to Fear is Fear Itself”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=amNpxQANk0M
6. Frederick Douglass (Exception to the 20th century)
On July 5, 1852, Frederick Douglass gave a speech in acknowledgement of the Declaration of Independence. He was a black author and public figure support the abolitionist movement, which urged him to take this opportunity to address to his crowd issues that black face and how the freedom celebrated on the Declaration of Independence was not to be shared with the black people of America – “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro”
www.youtube.com/watch?v=gzcddec5cug
5. Adolf Hitler
Four days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Adolf Hitler formally declared war on America. He had previously promised to side with Japan against America, and the Pearl Harbor attack allowed him to do so. He felt that with a war against America, he would be able to divert focus on Europe and allow his conquest to continue. In this speech, he convinced Germans that the Americans had first waged war by meddling in their affairs and that the war was justified and morally correct.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGhdX1SI3KY
4. Mahatma Gandhi
The “Quit India Speech” was presented by Mahtma Gandhi on August 8, 1942, on the eve of the inauguration of the Quit India movement. He called for determined but passive resistance that proved to be instrumental in the peaceful but effective Independence.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_SakitCoNYc
3. Ronald Reagan
“A Time for Choosing“. In this speech, Reagan stressed his belief in smaller government saying, “The Founding Fathers knew a government can’t control the economy without controlling people. And they knew when a government sets out to do that, it must use force and coercion to achieve its purpose. So we have come to a time for choosing.” The speech provided a basis for Reagan’s successful political career.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qXBswFfh6AY
2. Sir Winston Churchill
In this speech, Churchill, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom described the military disaster that had taken place over the last few days and the impending German invasion. He declared that the UK would not give up and would seek “victory, however long and hard it may be”. – We shall fight on the beaches.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uwCMf71nOA
1. Martin Luther King Jr.
In this speech, Martin Luther King Jr. addressed the country of America in support of freedom for colored slaves. He believed in the abolitionist movement and worked for establishment of laws that would allow for colored people to be treated equal to non-colored individuals. His speech, “I have a dream,” described his idea of utopia with the abolition of slavery in America.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mAtOV_cp2b8
If you have any other suggestions, feel free to mention them in the below comments section.