Studying Historical Speeches
by Ron Kurtus (updated 17 March 2023)
Successful people often present their ideas through giving speeches. Some write their thoughts and beliefs, while others use professional speech writers to reflect their concepts. Some are also eloquent speakers, who can arouse or move an audience. What these people have to say is also of significance for historical or business theory studies.
There is need for people who can effectively write such speeches, either for themselves or for others. There is also a need for those who can make presentations and speak to others. Your knowledge and skills in this area can help advance your career or improve your business.
The purpose of these free online lessons is to give you a start at improving your writing, speaking, historical or business skills.
Speeches Contents
Basics
Presidential inaugural addresses
The following speeches are good resources to study. (There are no political implications in their selection.)
Harry S Truman's Inaugural Address in 1949
John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address in 1961 - audio
Ronald Reagan's First Inaugural Address in 1981 - audio
Bill Clinton's Second Inaugural Address in 1997 - audio
Other speeches of note
Speeches listed according to date given.
1800s
Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address in 1863 - audio
Mark Twain's "Our Fellow Savages" Humorous Speech in 1866 - audio
Oliver Wendell Holmes' "The Soldier's Faith" Speech of 1895 - audio
1940s
Winston Churchill's First Speech as Prime Minister: "Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat" in 1940 - audio
1960s
Fidel Castro's 1960 Address to the U.N. General Assembly: "The Problem of Cuba and its Revolutionary Policy" (divided into four parts) - audio
Castro speech - Part 2 - audio
Castro speech - Part 3 - audio
Castro speech - Part 3 - audio
Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" Speech in 1963 - audio
1980s
Ronald Reagan's Announcement of the Strategic Defense Initiative in 1983 - audio
Jesse Jackson's Address before the 1984 Democratic Convention - audio
Ronald Reagan's Speech at Moscow State University in 1988 - audio
1990s
Teaching the Virtues by William J. Bennett - In Education section
2000s
George W. Bush's Address to Congress on 9/11/2001 Terrorist Attack - audio
Barack Obama's Address before the 2004 Democratic Convention - audio