speech topics about history

historical facts
interesting speech topics
major events in world history
presentation topics
public speaking
seminar topics
speech topics
world history

50+ Captivating History Topics for Speech and Presentation

Share to Facebook
Share to Twitter

History is a treasure trove of captivating stories, forgotten legends, and monumental events that have shaped our world. Whether you’re a student preparing for a class presentation or a curious enthusiast seeking fresh perspectives, this article will ignite your imagination and transport you through time. On this page, we have compiled a list of interesting speech topics related to history that you might find useful. From ancient civilizations to modern revolutions, these topics are informative and can be explored in depth to provide an engaging and thought-provoking presentation.

Beyond these topics, we’ll also share you with practical advice on how to research historical facts effectively. So, whether you’re preparing for a classroom presentation or simply curious about the past, let’s embark on this enlightening journey through time.

Informative History Speech Topics

The Rise and Fall of Carthage
Celtic Myths and Legends
Hieroglyphs and the Rosetta Stone
Inca and Maya Civilizations
The Mummification Process in Ancient Egypt
Medieval Knighthood Orders
Theories of Pyramid Construction
Roman Empire: Rule by Senators
Ancient India and Ancient Greece: Historical Connection
The Meaning and Mystery of Stonehenge
Ancient Egypt: A Fascinating Civilization
Ancient Greece: Contributions to Philosophy and Democracy
Ancient Rome: From Republic to Empire
The Cold War: Tensions and Strategies
The Crusades: Religious Wars and Cultural Exchange
The Enlightenment: Intellectual Revolution
The French Revolution: Causes and Impact
The Information Age: Technological Revolution
Mesopotamia: Cradle of Civilization
The Middle Ages: Feudalism and Chivalry
The Modern Age: Industrialization and Globalization
The Nuclear Age: Science and Security
Prehistory: Unraveling Our Ancestral Past
The Reformation: Religious Reform and Schisms
The Renaissance: Art, Science, and Humanism
Romanticism: Emotion and Imagination in Art
The Victorian Age: Social Norms and Progress
The Viking Age: Exploration and Raiding
Abraham Lincoln: Leadership During the Civil War
Albert Einstein: The Theory of Relativity
Alexander Graham Bell: Inventor of the Telephone
Alexander the Great: Conquests and Legacy
Alfred Nobel: The Nobel Prizes and Dynamite
Andy Warhol: Pop Art and Celebrity Culture
Archimedes: Contributions to Mathematics and Physics
Augustus: First Roman Emperor
Ayatollah Khomeini: The Iranian Revolution
Benjamin Franklin: Statesman, Inventor, and Author
Caligula: Infamous Roman Emperor
Captain James Cook: Exploration of the Pacific
Charles de Gaulle: French Resistance Leader and President
Claude Monet: Impressionist Painter
Cleopatra: Last Pharaoh of Egypt
Confucius: Ancient Chinese Philosopher
David Livingstone: African Explorer and Missionary
Dwight D. Eisenhower: Supreme Allied Commander in WWII
Elizabeth I: The Virgin Queen of England
Erasmus: Renaissance Humanist and Scholar
Florence Nightingale: Pioneer of Modern Nursing
Franklin D. Roosevelt: New Deal and World War II
Galileo Galilei: Astronomer and Father of Modern Science
Major Historical Events of the USA

Tips for Researching Historical Facts for Speech and Presentation

Ask the key questions:.

What happened? When? Where?
Who played pivotal roles?
Why was this period significant?
What were the major events and facts?

Dive into Authentic Sources:

Explore bygone books, historical archives, and reputable websites.
Seek primary sources whenever possible—they provide firsthand accounts.

Learn from the Legends:

Study the lives of famous historical figures. e.g. Abraham Lincoln, Cleopatra, or Leonardo da Vinci
Understand their impact and the context of their time.

Feel free to choose any of these topics for your informative speech, and remember to engage your audience with captivating visuals or anecdotes.

Share this Article

Subscribe via email, related post.

Like on Facebook
Follow on Twitter
Follow on Slideshare
Follow on Pinterest
Subscribe on Youtube

Recent Seminar Topics

Seminar topics.

💻 Seminar Topics for CSE Computer Science Engineering
⚙️ Seminar Topics for Mechanical Engineering ME
📡 Seminar Topics for ECE Electronics and Communication
⚡️ Seminar Topics for Electrical Engineering EEE
👷🏻 Seminar Topics for Civil Engineering
🏭 Seminar Topics for Production Engineering
💡 Physics Seminar Topics
🌎 Seminar Topics for Environment
⚗️ Chemistry Seminar Topics
📈 Business Seminar Topics
👦🏻 Seminar Topics for Youth

Investigatory Projects Topics

👨🏻‍🔬 Chemistry Investigatory Projects Topics
📧 Contact Us For Seminar Topics
👉🏼Follow us in Slideshare

Presentation Topics

🌍 Environment Related Presentation Topics
⚗️ Inorganic Chemistry Presentation Topics
👨🏻‍🎓 General Presentation Topics
🦚 Hindi Presentation Topics
🪐 Physics Presentation Topics
🧪 Chemistry: Interesting Presentation Topics
🌿 Biology Presentation Topics
🧬 Organic Chemistry Presentation Topics

Speech Topics and Ideas

🦁 Informative and Persuasive Speech Topics on Animals
🚗 Informative and Persuasive Speech Topics on Automotives
💡 Ideas to Choose Right Informative Speech
👩🏻‍🎓 Informative Speech Topics For College Students
🔬 Informative Speech Topics on Science and Technology

200 Interesting Historical Events to Write About [New Tips]

Have you ever wondered how multifaceted and diverse history is? It impresses us with a wide variety of interesting historical events. The mysteriousness and unpredictability make studying them even more exciting.

Nevertheless, writing a speech or an essay on history can be quite challenging for students. Since there are thousands of incidents to write about, choosing a good topic becomes incredibly difficult. Unprepared for an impressive diversity of major events in world history, you can get discouraged. Even delivering insightful information may start to seem stressful.

Fortunately, you have landed on our page! Our writing team has prepared a list of interesting events in history.

Are you looking for topics for a research project? Or maybe for a speech on National History Day? Or are you just searching for historical presentation tips? We can help you with everything! Just go to the corresponding section of the article and find useful information for you.

Interesting Events
National History Day
Black History Month
More Project Ideas
Project Tips
PowerPoint Ideas
Speech Topics
Presentation Tips
History Questions
30 More Things

🔥 10 Interesting Historical Events

The Chernobyl Disaster – 1986.
Cold War – 1947-1991.
The Black Plague – 1347-1348.
The French Revolution – 1789-1799.
DNA Discovery – 1869.
Revolution in America – 1775-1783.
The First Flight – 1903.
The Vietnam War – 1955-1975.
Salem Witch Trials – 1692-1693.
Wall Street Market Crash – 1929.

🤗 Interesting History Project Ideas

An assignment of preparing a history project can provoke diverse emotions. One student can be extremely enthusiastic about the task. For another person, the history project can become a real trial.

The project preparation includes an impressive number of challenges. However, the main requirement for an outstanding history project is a fascinating topic.

Our team developed a list of interesting topics for a history project. So, do not waste your time on the topic search. Take a look at our ideas and chose the one you find the most insightful. If this information isn’t enough, you’re always welcome to check out a free essay database and get even more topics to discuss.

You can make any history project interesting.

📅 Topics for National History Day

American Revolutionary War.
Great awakening’ history.
History of Soviet Union.
The Canadian Indians History: the White Paper 1969 .
The development of women’s rights.
Southeast Asia history: Chinese imperial expansion.
Belize and Mexico history: people and civilizations.
Liberty! The American Revolution.
Christianity and Asceticism in the history of religion.
Women’s status after the American Revolution.
The consequences of interaction in cultures and civilizations.
Abraham Lincoln’s thoughts in American history.
The British mandates history: Jewish and Palestinian relations.
Role of the civilian population in World War I.
The Industrial Revolution and beyond: culture, work, and social change.

The Enlightenment characterized European society during the 18th century.

World history: Enlightenment in society
Concept of imperial powers in history.
The major causes of the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the United States.
History of Hitler’s Nazi propaganda.
History of Russian Revolution in 1917.
The Dark Ages as the Golden Ages of European history.
Picasso and his paintings in modern world history.
A social and political history of the United States.
European colonization impacts on the native American population.
Principles of liberalism and its connection to Enlightenment and conservatism.
Japanese occupation in Philipines. Analyze the background of this event. How did World War II affect the occupation? Indicate the leaders of both parties. Analyze the consequences of Japanese occupation in Philipines for both countries.
Pythagoras and his theorem in math.
Mendeleev and his periodic table in chemistry.
Einstein and his theories in physics.
Martin Luther King as the most outstanding historical figure of USA history. Briefly introduce his biography. Why his speech I Have a Dream is so widely-discussed up till nowadays? Comment on Martin Luther King’s impact on the USA development.
World War I and World War II. Compare and contrast the two world wars. What were the outcomes of both conflicts? In your opinion, during which war the military development was more effective?
The mysterious origins of the USA flag. Did Americans have their flag during the American Revolution of 1775? Elaborate on that do the colors and the figures on the flag mean. When did the flag become an official symbol of America?

🖤 Topics for Black History Month

Racism and segregation in American history.
Reconsidering the history: Holocaust denial. The XXI century prospects.
How useful is the term ‘fascism’ when applied generically to describe the far-right in interwar Europe?
Rosa Parks: biography and influences.
Blacks’ role in abolishing slavery.
The Holocaust and Nazi Germany.
Genocide in Rwanda: insiders and outsiders.
Role African American women in the civil right movement.
The propaganda of Adolf Hitler and Jim Jones .
The rise of fascism.

The first Italian fascist movement tried to please everyone.

Warfare and violence in ancient times .
Suffering in the ancient Roman and Greek periods.
Why did Europe undergo such a bloody and destructive period from 1914-1945?
Holocaust history, its definition, and causes .
German concentration camps and Japanese-American internment camps. Compare and contrast the conditions and distinctive features of German concentration camps and Japanese-American internment camps.
Tortures in the ancient world. What were the forms of torture?Analyze the tortures in different parts of the world. Give your own opinion: are there any positive sides of tortures implementation?
The Armenian genocide of 1915. Elaborate on the sequence of the events. What were the reasons for the genocide? Comment on the outcomes of this dark event.
The dark side of World War II. Comment on the human losses during World War II. Elaborate on the horror of being in captivity.
The horror of concentration camps . Analyze psychology as the tool of people’s extirpation. How did the torment was killing people? What was the reason for creating concentration camps?
Terror during the Soviet Union’s existence. Are there any social studies that examine this issue? Comment on the ways terror was implemented. What were the reasons for terroristic actions? Analyze the opposition of terror. Elaborate on the outcomes.

📝 Other Historical Project Ideas

Greek city-states – ancient civilizations.
Islam and Christianity impacts on the medieval word.
Comparisons of early Greek and early Roman cultures.
Arts of China: tomb of Liu Sheng and Dou Wan Jade suits.
The collapse of the greatest ancient civilizations: the Maya, the Aztec, and the Inca civilizations.
Art history: female figures in Ancient Greek sculpture.
Historical and theological context of Byzantine Iconoclasm.
The history of Egypt and the Fertile Crescent.
Concepts of the rise and fall of the Babylonian and Egyptian empires.
Ancient civilizations: the Maya Empire.

Much of Maya Empire's history is a mystery.

Weapon development in early European civilizations.
History of Celtic Christianity.
Greek and Roman art on the campus.
The first civilizations of North America.
The Western Roman Empire: the significance of its collapse.
The Agricultural Revolution: from the Neolithic Age to a New Era of agricultural growth.
Rome in the Middle Ages and cultural transformation.
The Stone Age period and its evolution.
Civil Rights History .
History of empires in the past and modern world.
The comparison of Roman and Mongol empires.
Military equipment and the technology of China in the Early Modern world.
Ancient history: the Great Pyramid of Giza.
Religion in Ancient Rome, the Byzantine Empire and the Holy Roman Empire.
The Mongol Empire . Analyze the effects of the Mongol Empire’s expansion in China, Korea, and Japan.
Ptolemy Family as one of the most powerful families in world history. Briefly describe the family history. How did this family impact ancient Egypt? While analyzing, focus your attention on the last queen of this line—Cleopatra VII. How did Cleopatra contribute to the prosperity of ancient Egypt?
Cultural progress as one of the most interesting topics of history. Comment on the development of culture in various parts of the world. Were there any periods when it was regressing, not progressing? Compare the distinctive features of culture in Europe, Asia, and America.
Adolf Hitler’s art. Briefly introduce Hitler’s biography. How did his lifespan affect his development as an artist? Comment on the topics reflected in Hitler’s artworks.
The role of the church in the life of the middle ages in Europe. Analyze the connection between the church and the governmental sector in medieval times. What was the impact of the church on education and the economy in Europe? Comment on the problems of the medieval church.
Waitangi Treaty history. Examine the intentions, expectations, and results of signing the Treaty of Waitangi.

🥇 History Project Tips

History project development is hardly ever uncomplicated. Sometimes, the process of preparation can result in a massive discouragement for students.

But wait, let us tell you something.

Our team of experts gathered the most useful tips in one place. Use them and make your project development process more pleasurable!

Search for an appropriate topic. There are plenty of fascinating historical facts to talk about. The choice of the most relevant one will make your project indeed successful. Choose wisely. The project about the cultural regression of Europe on the European cultural day is a horrible idea. Unless you want to fail. Pick the topic that will be interesting for the audience and relevant to the event.
Become a real expert in your field. To achieve the highest results, conduct the background and primary source research. You need to be ready to spend a lot of time investigating the topic on a deep level. It will help you to create a well-developed history project.
Keep your materials in order. The development of historical projects requires a wide variety of materials. Prevent a mess! Sort out all the sources you are using and keep track of the additional materials. A wise arrangement will make the research process more smooth. This way, you will get the desired final product.
Plan your time wisely. Even a dedicated history fan can develop a sophisticated history project in a short time. Therefore, don’t follow the popular student’s rule “I’m doing everything the night before the due date.” Divide your work into small chunks and create a project gradually. Also, review what you have done from time to time. It will help you to arrange your working plan to achieve a great result. Be flexible and create a worthy project.
Create a unique final product. Your project has to be special and memorable. Provide some bright examples, introduce fascinating historical facts. Use additional aids (slides, posters, etc.) to impress your audience. Nobody is intrigued by common historical knowledge. Use a narrative writing style to deliver information effectively.
Back-up everything! Do you think that the highest level of pain is then you break your leg? You are mistaken. Nothing can cause more pain then accidentally deleted documents or the missing piece of vital information. You might be asking yourself how to avoid this pain. In this case, here is the answer. Make a copy of your work and upload the document on a cloud. You will have easy access to it without risks of losing data.

Written notes are easy to lose or mix up.

😍 Interesting History Topics for Presentation

Are you stressing out about the upcoming history presentation? Are you lost in the topics to present? Are you not sure if you need any visual aid for your performance or not?

We have good news for you!

Our team collected the most interesting topics for a presentation. Below, you’ll find two sections. The first one offers topics for presentation with visual aids. The second one provides a wide variety of expressive informative speech topics. Picking one of them, you can deliver your information without any additional effects.

Scroll down and choose something useful for you

📽 Ideas for PowerPoint Presentations

Rococo and neoclassical art.
Historical art periods: a critical evaluation of Baroque and Rococo artistic styles.
Collective invention during the Industrial Revolution.
Renaissance versus Baroque.
The ancient civilization of Maya.
Ash Kyrie art: looking into the eyes of war.
Western world history presentation.
Imagination, values, and emotions in different historical art periods.
The historical development of fine arts in Korea from 1950 to the present.
Harlem Renaissance: historical and social background.
Cultural exchanges in the Medieval Period.
World War II innovations.

There are numerous innovations of World War II.

A history of modern Europe: from the Renaissance to the present.
Examining an archeological site: the pyramids of Egypt. There are plenty of interesting historical facts to choose from. Additionally, include some bright images if Egyptian pyramids in your PowerPoint presentation. Imagine how impressed your audience will be!
Mayan calendar system. Show the main figures and tables. It will be beneficial for your audience’s understanding of the material.
The four voyages by Christopher Columbus . Use maps as visual aids to illustrate the directions of Columbus’s voyages.
From World War One to globalization. Conduct a historical investigation on the period between WWI and the globalization era. Use charts and graphs to smooth the digestion of information.
The Kings of Ancient Egypt. Impress your audience with interesting facts about Egyptian kings. Appropriate images will help you to deliver information effectively.
Scientific Revolution. Comment on the development of psychology, philosophy, physics, chemistry, and medicine. Illustrate the key figures of the scientific revolution in a PowerPoint presentation.
World War II: consequences for the world. Even an impromptu speech will be successful if you use this topic. But if you add effective visual aids, your presentation will become even more memorable.

🎙 Historical Speech Topics

Progressive Era in the United States.
American Revolution and the crisis of the Constitution of the USA.
Welcome to Ancient Egypt. When legends were born.
Declaration of independence in American history.
Concepts of feminism as one of the most controversial topics.
Slavery and the Civil War relationship.
The civil rights movement: oppressing the black population.
The American War of Independence.
The kings of ancient Egypt.
Mongol conquest’ causes, battles, and results.
Abraham Lincoln against slavery as one of the most interesting history informative speech topics.
History’s definition and concept.
The Great War’s history.
Pearl Harbor history .

Pearl Harbor recalls the surprise Japanese air attack that resulted in the United States’ entry into World War II.

French revolution and the Napoleonic era.
Enlightenment in society – a topic for a successful public speaking performance.
The significance of Martin Luther and the protestant reformation in the history of western civilization.
Roman Lifestyles’ influence on civilization.
History of Christianity contributions to the Western World.
The Christian Crusades.
African-Americans social reform.
The war finance feature in promoting military success.
European Christianity and its decline from the XVI century. Think of possible reasons for Christianity’s decline. Introduce them in your speech and elaborate.
The Black Saturday Bushfires – a tragedy of 2009. As the event is relatively recent, try to search for information on social media. Social networking can assist in finding and processing the data.
World War II as the most devastating war in world history. Introduce your own opinion regarding the losses of World War II. Provide a critical analysis of WWII’s impact on the modern world development.
The heritage of the Soviet Union. Comment on of the Eastern, Central, and Western Europe unification. Compare and contrast social and cultural progress among countries of the Soviet Union.
The history of the Berlin Wall. It’s one of the most insightful ideas for public speaking. Analyze the lifespan of the wall from its construction till the falling. What was the impact of the Berlin Wall on the country?
The Sumerian
The Akkadians
The Amorites
The Assyrians
The Chaldeans
Golden Pectoral—a famous cultural artifact. Where was Golden Pectoral found? Analyze the historical background. Where is it kept now?
The European Union creation. Analyze the historical background of EU creation. What is the specific purpose of the EU? Briefly introduce the timeline of the process of EU creation. How does it operate now?

There are six founding countries of the EU.

🗨 History Presentation Tips

Do you want to prepare an outstanding history presentation, but not sure where to start? Not a problem! Our team created a list of useful history presentation tips. Examine and implement them in your preparation process to ensure high-quality results.

Create a strong introduction. The main purpose of the introduction put the listeners into the picture of the topic. That’s why, initially, you have to spark the interest of the audience. For that, include an attention-getter at the beginning of your presentation. Moreover, make sure your thesis statement is clear, and you previewed all the essential points. This will help your audience to follow up with your ideas.
Develop an effective conclusion .To finish your speech successfully, spend time working on your conclusion. It has to summarize your arguments and provide a clear picture of the discussion. A small tip from us: An inspirational thought at the end will make your presentation more memorable.
Work on the organization and development of the presentation. A clear and easy-to-follow structure is a formula for success. Thus, make sure you have strong transitions between the points. Pay attention to the accuracy of the information you present. Include proper citations of the sources and an annotated bibliography, if necessary. It will make your work informative and prevent a lot of misunderstandings.
Make the delivery of your presentation effective. A natural posture, appropriate body language, well-established eye contact are underrated. They are critical for good delivery! The wise use of your voice’s capabilities will put you one level above the other performers. Practice a lot before delivering your speech to astonish the audience.
Your visual aids have to be professional and clearly readable.
Always refer to the visual aid while presenting the information (for instance, “Take a look at the graph”).
Your PowerPoint slides will be useful only if you put the key ideas on it, but not the entire text.
Before giving the speech, make sure all the technologies are working properly. Ensure that no pitfalls are waiting for you.

Choose visual aids according to their purpose.

💯 Interesting Historical Questions

Our team’s aim is to help you succeed in history studying. Therefore, we decided that a list of basic historical questions will be useful for you. Look through it and ask yourself what is most appropriate for you.

What is the connection between the Enlightenment and romantic age?
What are the effects of the Industrial Revolution in relation to WW 1?
What is the history of the imperialism era from 1848 to 1914?
What are the parallels between the Revolutions of 1848 and Arab revolutions?
What is the timeline of the Mexican war?
Should the United States have annexed the Philippines?
What is the role of airplanes during WW I (1914-1918)?
What are the cultural relations between white and black people?
What is the national and factual identity of Britons?
What is the history of Athens?
What is the impact of Julius Cesar on Rome’s development?
What are the major aspects and historical events of the Cold War?
What are the three Rs of the new deal in United States history?
What was the role of the gardens in Great Depression?
What was the Mesopotamian influence on the Oman Peninsula?
What is the importance of US Foreign Policy between 1890-1991?
What are the features of the Russian working-class movement?
What is the role of America in World War 1?
What are the causes of depression in the 1890s?

1890s depression was the most severe in Australia's history.

Why the Scientific Revolution did not take place in China – or did it?
What were the Great Britain Empire’s Alliances?
What is the US Role in the Egypt-Israel war?
Who are the legendary warriors of Old Japan?
What are the similarities and differences between Malcolm X and Martin Luther King?
What is the importance of the unification of GDR and FRG in the history of Germany?
What effect did Industrialisation have on the levels of water pollution? Elaborate on the link between the lack of drinkable water and the Industrial Revolution.
How did the development of psychology during the Scientific Revolution impact the world’s perception?
What is the history of astronomy development and steroids studying during the Scientific Revolution?
What are the most fun facts about the history of the world?
What are some concepts of civilization development that are significant for the world’s history holistic picture?

👌 30 More Interesting Things in History to Write about

You have probably noticed already that there is plenty of interesting topics of history to write about. The essay writing process can become more pleasurable if you know what to analyze. When the students have a clear view of the time frame and territory they need to explore, they struggle less with a paper.

Your assignment may indicate the time period and territory for your history paper.

In case you’re asking yourself how to make the search for fascinating ideas easier, we have an answer. We prepared a pleasant bonus for you—a collection of interesting topics about history.

Five interesting things to write about in world history:

World War I .
World War II .
Role of democracy in the world .
Revolutions’ history and definition .

Five interesting things to write about in European history:

The Roman Empire .
The Thirty Years War .
Protestant Reformation .
Enlightenment and revolution .
European Union .

Five interesting things to write about in US history:

The Civil War .
Progressive Era.
Race relations and women’s status .
Native American culture and American Indians .
The Compromise of 1850 .

Five interesting things to write about in ancient history :

The Stone Age period.
Greek city-states.
Ancient Egypt history .
Mesopotamian civilization.
Maya, Aztec, and Inca collapse .

Five interesting things to write about in modern history :

Total War in modern world history .
Industrial Revolution .
Scientific Revolution .
Renaissance period .
Great Awakening’s history.

Five interesting biographies to write about:

Alexander the Great .
Karl Marx .
Napoleon Bonaparte .
Abraham Lincoln .
Adolf Hitler .

Thank you for reading our article! We hope you found some useful tips and chose an interesting topic for your assignment. Do not forget to leave your comment and share our page with your friends!

🔗References

The 25 Moments From American History That Matter Right Now: Time
5 (Recent) Historical Events You Should Discuss with Your Students: Josh Work, Edutopia
Ideas, National History Day: Indiana Historical Society
3 Ways to Make a Good Presentation Great: Geoffrey James, Inc.com
How to Convert Your Paper into a Presentation: Writing Studio, Thompson Writing Program, Duke University
Oral Presentation and Powerpoint: The John A. Dutton e-Education Institute, the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at The Pennsylvania State University
Stages of a Historical Research Project: DoHistory
Project Categories: National History Day, NHD
150+ Presentation Topic Ideas for Students [Plus Templates]: Orana Velarde, Visual Learning Center by Visme
History: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Writing a Thesis and Making an Argument: College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, The University of Iowa
African American History Month: The Library of Congress
Writing with Writers, Speech Writing, Tips from the Pros: Teacher’s Activity Guide, Scholastic
20 Public Speaking Tips for Students: Arlin Cuncic, Verywell Mind
Share via Facebook
Share via X
Share via LinkedIn
Share via email

By clicking "Post Comment" you agree to IvyPanda’s Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions . Your posts, along with your name, can be seen by all users.

very brief and quick information

HeinOnline Blog

The 15 most inspiring presidential speeches in american history.

By HeinOnline Blogger
February 15, 2021
History , Political Science

Over the centuries, millions upon millions of words have been used by U.S. presidents to motivate, caution, reassure, and guide the American people. Whether written in the news, spoken at a podium, or shared on Twitter, all of these words have carried weight, each with the potential to impact the trajectory of our nation. Only a handful of times, however, has the particular arrangement and context of these words been considered truly inspiring.

This Presidents’ Day, join HeinOnline in rediscovering some of the greatest presidential speeches in American history using our U.S. Presidential Library and other sources.

1. Washington’s Farewell Address

Date: September 17th, 1796

Context: Toward the end of his second term as the first U.S. president, George Washington announced his retirement from office in a letter addressed to the American people. Though many feared for a United States without Washington, the address reassured the young nation that it no longer required his leadership. Washington also used the opportunity to offer advice for the prosperity of the country. After witnessing the growing division between the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties, much of his advice was to warn against political parties, factions, and other animosities (domestic and foreign) that would eventually undermine the integrity and efficacy of the American government.

Notable Quote: “This spirit [of party], unfortunately, is inseparable from our nature, having its root in the strongest passions of the human mind … [but] the disorders and miseries which result gradually incline the minds of men to seek security and repose in the absolute power of an individual; and sooner or later the chief of some prevailing faction, more able or more fortunate than his competitors, turns this disposition to the purposes of his own elevation, on the ruins of public liberty.

“Without looking forward to an extremity of this kind (which nevertheless ought not to be entirely out of sight), the common and continual mischiefs of the spirit of party are sufficient to make it the interest and duty of a wise people to discourage and restrain it. It serves always to distract the public councils and enfeeble the public administration. It agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms, kindles the animosity of one part against another, foments occasionally riot and insurrection. It opens the door to foreign influence and corruption, which finds a facilitated access to the government itself through the channels of party passions … A fire not to be quenched, it demands a uniform vigilance to prevent its bursting into a flame, lest, instead of warming, it should consume.”

2. Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address

Date: November 19, 1863

Context: Four months after Union armies defeated Confederates at Gettysburg during the American Civil War, President Lincoln visited the site to dedicate the Soldiers’ National Cemetery. In what were intended to be brief, appropriate remarks for the situation, Lincoln used the moment to offer his take on the war and its meaning. The ten sentences he spoke would ultimately become one of the most famous speeches in American history, an inspiration for notable remarks centuries later, and even a foundation for the wording of other countries’ constitutions.

Notable Quote: “… from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they heregave the last full measure of devotion; that we here highly resolve that the dead shall not have died in vain; that the Nation shall under God have a new birth of freedom, and that Governments of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth.”

3. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Inaugural Address

Date: March 4, 1933

Context: The inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt was held as the country was in the throes of the Great Depression, and as such, America anxiously awaited what he had to say. Roosevelt did not disappoint, offering 20 minutes of reassurance, hope, and promises for urgent action.

Notable Quote: “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.”

4. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s First Fireside Chat

Date: March 12, 1933

Context: Just a few days after his inauguration, Roosevelt instituted what he called “fireside chats,” using the relatively new technology of radio to enter the living rooms of Americans and discuss current issues. In these moments, he could speak at length, unfiltered and uninterrupted by the press, while also offering a reassuring, optimistic tone that might otherwise have been lost in the written word. In this first fireside chat, he crafted a message to explain the American banking process (and its current difficulties) in a way that the average listener could understand.

Notable Quote: “Confidence and courage are the essentials of success in carrying out our plan. You people must have faith. You must not be stampeded by rumors or guesses. Let us unite in banishing fear. We have provided the machinery to restore our financial system, and it is up to you to support and make it work. It is your problem, my friends. Your problem no less than it is mine. Together, we cannot fail.”

5. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Four Freedoms” Speech

Date: January 6, 1941

Context: By 1941, many affected by the Great Depression had experienced economic recovery, but another world-changing phenomenon had reared its head—Hitler and his Nazi regime. World War II was raging in Europe and the Pacific, but the United States had thus far remained largely neutral. In light of the atrocities occurring overseas, Roosevelt sought to change that. He crafted his State of the Union address that January to highlight four freedoms which are deserved by all humans everywhere. The “Four Freedoms” speech, as it was ultimately known, later became the basis for America’s intervention in World War II and significantly influenced American values, life, and politics moving forward.

Notable Quote: “In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression—everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way—everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want—which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peace of time life for its inhabitants—everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear—which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction, armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against any neighbor—anywhere in the world.”

6. Eisenhower’s “Atoms for Peace” Speech

Date: December 8, 1953

Context: During World War II, Roosevelt formally authorized the Manhattan Project, a top-secret U.S. effort to weaponize nuclear energy. By 1945, America had successfully created the atomic bomb , and President Truman had authorized its detonation in Japan’s Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leveling the two cities and killing hundreds of thousands of people. Following the end of World War II, political and economic differences between the United States and Soviet Union drove the two countries to another war soon after, but this time, the Soviet Union had their own atomic bomb as well. The world was teetering on a frightening ledge built by access to nuclear power, causing President Eisenhower to launch an “emotion management” campaign with this speech to the United Nations about the very real risks but also peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

Notable Quote: “… the whole book of history reveals mankind’s never-ending quest for peace and mankind’s God-given capacity to build. It is with the book of history, and not with isolated pages, that the United States will ever wish to be identified. My country wants to be constructive, not destructive. It wants agreements, not wars, among nations. It wants itself to live in freedom and in the confidence that the peoples of every other nation enjoy equally the right of choosing their own way of life. … The United States knows that if the fearful trend of atomic military build-up can be reversed, this greatest of destructive forces can be developed into a great boon, for the benefit of all mankind.”

7. Eisenhower’s Farewell Address

Date: January 17, 1961

Context: As he came to the end of his term, President Eisenhower found himself in a nation much stronger, much richer, and much more advanced than when he began. Prepared as early as two years in advance, his farewell address acknowledged the pride all should have in these achievements, but also served to ground the American people in sobering reality—that how the United States uses this power and standing will ultimately determine its fate. Like Washington, his address was one of caution against dangers such as massive spending, an overpowered military industry, and Federal domination of scientific progress (or vice versa, the scientific-technological domination of public policy). In all things, he stressed the need to maintain balance as the country moves forward, for the preservation of liberty.

Notable Quote: “Down the long lane of the history yet to be written America knows that this world of ours, ever growing smaller, must avoid becoming a community of dreadful fear and hate, and be, instead, a proud confederation of mutual trust and respect. Such a confederation must be one of equals. The weakest must come to the conference table with the same confidence as do we, protected as we are by our moral, economic, and military strength. That table, though scarred by many past frustrations, cannot be abandoned for the certain agony of the battlefield.”

8. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address

Date: January 20, 1961

Context: A few days after Eisenhower’s farewell speech, he turned over his office to the youngest-ever elected president, John F. Kennedy. Kennedy now found himself faced with the monumental task of strengthening the United States while also quelling American anxieties about the Cold War and avoiding nuclear warfare. His speech thus focused on unity, togetherness, and collaboration both domestically and abroad.

Notable Quote: “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.”

9. Kennedy’s “We Choose to Go to the Moon” Speech

Date: September 12, 1962

Context: In the name of national security, the United States and USSR set their sights on spaceflight as a top priority during the Cold War. To the surprise (and fear) of people around the globe, the Soviet Union launched the first-ever artificial satellite in 1957, then sent the first human being into space in 1961, signaling to onlookers that its nation was a technological force to be reckoned with. Kennedy was determined to come up with a challenge in space technology that the United States actually stood a chance to win. In the early ’60s, he proposed that America focus on putting a man on the moon. In an uplifting speech at Rice University, Kennedy reminded his listeners of the country’s technological progress so far and of his administration’s determination to continue the pioneering spirit of early America into the new frontier of space.

Notable Quote: “We choose to go to the moon. 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.”

Read about America’s successful moon landing in this blog post.

10. Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Great Society” Speech

Date: May 22, 1964

Context: Lyndon B. Johnson was sworn in as President in 1963, immediately following Kennedy’s assassination . Johnson vowed to continue the former president’s work on poverty, civil rights, and other issues. Inspired in part by FDR’s New Deal, he devised a set of programs intended to completely eliminate poverty and racial injustice. In 1964, he formally proposed some specific goals in a speech to the University of Michigan, where he coined the lofty ideal of a “Great Society.”

Notable Quote: “Your imagination, your initiative, and your indignation will determine whether we build a society where progress is the servant of our needs, or a society where old values and new visions are buried under unbridled growth. For in your time we have the opportunity to move not only toward the rich society and the powerful society, but upward to the Great Society.”

11. Lyndon B. Johnson’s “We Shall Overcome” Speech

Date: March 15, 1965

Context: By the 1960s, blacks in areas of the Deep South found themselves disenfranchised by state voting laws, such as those requiring a poll tax, literacy tests, or knowledge of the U.S. constitution. Furthermore, these laws were sometimes applied subjectively, leading to the prevention of even educated blacks from voting or registering to vote. Inspired (and sometimes joined) by Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., protests were planned throughout the region. Eight days after racial violence erupted around one of these protests in Selma, Alabama, President Johnson addressed Congress to declare that “every American citizen must have an equal right to vote” and that discriminatory policies were denying African-Americans that right.

Notable Quote: “What happened in Selma is part of a far larger movement which reaches into every section and State of America. It is the effort of American Negroes to secure for themselves the full blessings of American life. Their cause must be our cause too. Because it’s not just Negroes, but really it’s all of us, who must overcome the crippling legacy of bigotry and injustice. And we shall overcome …

“This great, rich, restless country can offer opportunity and education and hope to all, all black and white, all North and South, sharecropper and city dweller. These are the enemies: poverty, ignorance, disease. They’re our enemies, not our fellow man, not our neighbor. And these enemies too—poverty, disease, and ignorance: we shall overcome.”

12. Reagan’s D-Day Anniversary Address

Date: June 6, 1984

Context: During World War II, the Allied forces attacked German troops on the coast of Normandy, France on June 6, 1944. A turning point for the war, the day came to be known as D-Day, and its anniversary is forever acknowledged. On its 40th anniversary, President Ronald Reagan honored the heroes of that day in a speech that also invoked a comparison of World War II’s Axis dictators to the Soviet Union during the ongoing Cold War. This reminder to the Allies that they once fought together against totalitarianism and must continue the fight now helped contribute to the ultimate dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Notable Quote: “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. There must be a changing there that will allow us to turn our hope into action. We will pray forever that some day that changing will come. But for now, particularly today, it is good and fitting to renew our commitment to each other, to our freedom, and to the alliance that protects it. We are bound today by what bound us 40 years ago, the same loyalties, traditions, and beliefs. We’re bound by reality. The strength of America’s allies is vital to the United States, and the American security guarantee is essential to the continued freedom of Europe’s democracies. We were with you then; we are with you now. Your hopes are our hopes, and your destiny is our destiny.”

13. Reagan’s Berlin Wall Speech

Date: June 12, 1987

Context: With the fall of Nazi Germany at the end of World War II, Western powers and the Soviet Union sought to establish systems of government in their respective occupied regions. West Germany developed into a Western capitalist country, with a democratic parliamentary government, while East Germany became a socialist workers’ state (though it was often referred to as communist in the English-speaking world). Many experiencing hunger, poverty, and repression in the Soviet-influenced East Germany attempted to move west, with the City of Berlin their main point of crossing. Ultimately, the Soviet Union advised East Germany to build a wall on the inner German border, restricting movement and emigration by threat of execution for attempted emigrants. Seen as a symbol of Communist tyranny by Western nations, the Berlin Wall persisted for nearly three decades. In 1987, President Ronald Reagan visited West Berlin and called upon Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev to take down the wall as a symbol of moving forward.

Notable Quote: “We welcome change and openness; for we believe that freedom and security go together, that the advance of human liberty can only strengthen the cause of world peace. There is one sign the Soviets can make that would be unmistakable, that would advance dramatically the cause of freedom and peace. 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!”

14. George W. Bush’s Post-9/11 Speech

Date: September 11, 2001

Context: On September 11, 2001, the United States experienced the single worst terrorist attack in human history , where four American planes were hijacked and flown into American buildings, killing nearly 3,000 people. Viewers around the world watched the news as five stories of the Pentagon fell and the World Trade Center buildings collapsed entirely. Later that evening, President George W. Bush addressed the nation with a brief but powerful message that chose to focus not on fear, but on America’s strength in unity.

Notable Quote:

“These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we’re the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining.”

15. Obama’s “More Perfect Union” Speech

Date: March 18, 2008

Context: While campaigning for the presidency in 2008, Barack Obama came under fire for his relationship with pastor Jeremiah Wright, who had been heard to denounce the United States and accuse the government of racial crimes. To officially address the relationship and condemn Wright’s inflammatory remarks, Obama crafted a speech that discussed the history of racial inequality in America as well as the dissonance between that history and America’s ideals of human liberty. Importantly, however, he also highlighted the necessity for a unified American people to effectively combat those issues, rather than more racial division.

Notable Quote: “[T]he remarks that have caused this recent firestorm weren’t simply controversial. They weren’t simply a religious leader’s effort to speak out against perceived injustice. Instead, they expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country—a view that sees white racism as endemic, and that elevates what is wrong with America above all that we know is right with America ….

“[These] comments were not only wrong but divisive, divisive at a time when we need unity; racially charged at a time when we need to come together to solve a set of monumental problems—two wars, a terrorist threat, a falling economy, a chronic health care crisis and potentially devastating climate change; problems that are neither black or white or Latino or Asian, but rather problems that confront us all ….

“The fact is that the comments that have been made and the issues that have surfaced over the last few weeks reflect the complexities of race in this country that we’ve never really worked through—a part of our union that we have yet to perfect. And if we walk away now, if we simply retreat into our respective corners, we will never be able to come together and solve challenges like health care, or education, or the need to find good jobs for every American.”

Read about Barack Obama’s presidency in this blog post.

About the U.S. Presidential Library

As the head of state and government of the United States of America, the president is one of the most influential and noteworthy political figures in the world. The role that each American president has played reflects the evolution of the United States’ government, society, and standing on the world stage.

Research the impact of each president with HeinOnline’s U.S. Presidential Library , a database of nearly 2,000 titles and more than a million pages dedicated to presidential documents. The database includes messages and papers of the presidents, daily and weekly compilations of presidential documents, public papers of the presidents, documents relating to impeachment, Title 3 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and a host of other related works.

Access the database within your subscription via the link below, or evaluate the resource by requesting an organization trial or quote today.

HeinOnline Blogger

Tags: u.s. presidential library , u.s. presidents

5 Lesser-Known Presidential Scandals

Some presidential scandals, from George H.W. Bush’s hatred of broccoli to Barrack Obama’s tan suit, have been a little stranger and less-known than others.

4 Trials of Infamous Pirates

In the 17th and 18th centuries, transporting people and goods back and forth between the colonies and Europe was a lucrative business for the thousands of merchant mariners who sailed the seas. So too was piracy.

people in suits with policy papers lined up outside White House

What Is Project 2025?

Leading up to the presidential election, you’ve likely been hearing Project 2025 discussed by both candidates. So what exactly is it?

Like what you see?

There’s plenty more where that came from! Subscribe to the HeinOnline Blog to receive posts like these right to your inbox.

By entering your email, you agree to receive great content from the HeinOnline Blog. HeinOnline also uses the information you provide to contact you about other content, products, and services we think you’ll love.

Like what you're reading? Subscribe to the blog!

Uncategorized

40 famous persuasive speeches you need to hear.

Written by Kai Xin Koh

famous persuasive speeches highspark cover image

Across eras of calamity and peace in our world’s history, a great many leaders, writers, politicians, theorists, scientists, activists and other revolutionaries have unveiled powerful rousing speeches in their bids for change. In reviewing the plethora of orators across tides of social, political and economic change, we found some truly rousing speeches that brought the world to their feet or to a startling, necessary halt. We’ve chosen 40 of the most impactful speeches we managed to find from agents of change all over the world – a diversity of political campaigns, genders, positionalities and periods of history. You’re sure to find at least a few speeches in this list which will capture you with the sheer power of their words and meaning!

1. I have a dream by MLK

“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. Land where my father’s died, land of the Pilgrim’s pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring!”

Unsurprisingly, Martin Luther King’s speech comes up top as the most inspiring speech of all time, especially given the harrowing conditions of African Americans in America at the time. In the post-abolition era when slavery was outlawed constitutionally, African Americans experienced an intense period of backlash from white supremacists who supported slavery where various institutional means were sought to subordinate African American people to positions similar to that of the slavery era. This later came to be known as the times of Jim Crow and segregation, which Martin Luther King powerfully voiced his vision for a day when racial discrimination would be a mere figment, where equality would reign.

2. Tilbury Speech by Queen Elizabeth I

“My loving people, We have been persuaded by some that are careful of our safety, to take heed how we commit our selves to armed multitudes, for fear of treachery; but I assure you I do not desire to live to distrust my faithful and loving people. Let tyrants fear. I have always so behaved myself that, under God, I have placed my chiefest strength and safeguard in the loyal hearts and good-will of my subjects; and therefore I am come amongst you, as you see, at this time, not for my recreation and disport, but being resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to live and die amongst you all; to lay down for my God, and for my kingdom, and my people, my honour and my blood, even in the dust. I know I have the body of a weak, feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too, and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm; to which rather than any dishonour shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field. I know already, for your forwardness you have deserved rewards and crowns; and We do assure you on a word of a prince, they shall be duly paid. In the mean time, my lieutenant general shall be in my stead, than whom never prince commanded a more noble or worthy subject; not doubting but by your obedience to my general, by your concord in the camp, and your valour in the field, we shall shortly have a famous victory over these enemies of my God, of my kingdom, and of my people.”

While at war with Spain, Queen Elizabeth I was most renowned for her noble speech rallying the English troops against their comparatively formidable opponent. Using brilliant rhetorical devices like metonymy, meronymy, and other potent metaphors, she voiced her deeply-held commitment as a leader to the battle against the Spanish Armada – convincing the English army to keep holding their ground and upholding the sacrifice of war for the good of their people. 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. We have no selfish ends to serve. We desire no conquest, no dominion. We seek no indemnities for ourselves, no material compensation for the sacrifices we shall freely make. We are but one of the champions of the rights of mankind. We shall be satisfied when those rights have been made as secure as the faith and the freedom of nations can make them. Just because we fight without rancor and without selfish object, seeking nothing for ourselves but what we shall wish to share with all free peoples, we shall, I feel confident, conduct our operations as belligerents without passion and ourselves observe with proud punctilio the principles of right and of fair play we profess to be fighting for. … It will be all the easier for us to conduct ourselves as belligerents in a high spirit of right and fairness because we act without animus, not in enmity toward a people or with the desire to bring any injury or disadvantage upon them, but only in armed opposition to an irresponsible government which has thrown aside all considerations of humanity and of right and is running amuck. We are, let me say again, the sincere friends of the German people, and shall desire nothing so much as the early reestablishment of intimate relations of mutual advantage between us—however hard it may be for them, for the time being, to believe that this is spoken from our hearts. We have borne with their present government through all these bitter months because of that friendship—exercising a patience and forbearance which would otherwise have been impossible. We shall, happily, still have an opportunity to prove that friendship in our daily attitude and actions toward the millions of men and women of German birth and native sympathy who live among us and share our life, and we shall be proud to prove it toward all who are in fact loyal to their neighbors and to the government in the hour of test. They are, most of them, as true and loyal Americans as if they had never known any other fealty or allegiance. They will be prompt to stand with us in rebuking and restraining the few who may be of a different mind and purpose. If there should be disloyalty, it will be dealt with with a firm hand of stern repression; but, if it lifts its head at all, it will lift it only here and there and without countenance except from a lawless and malignant few. It is a distressing and oppressive duty, gentlemen of the Congress, which I have performed in thus addressing you. There are, it may be, many months of fiery trial and sacrifice ahead of us. It is a fearful thing to lead this great peaceful people into war, into the most terrible and disastrous of all wars, civilization itself seeming to be in the balance. But the right is more precious than peace, and we shall fight for the things which we have always carried nearest our hearts—for democracy, for the right of those who submit to authority to have a voice in their own governments, for the rights and liberties of small nations, for a universal dominion of right by such a concert of free peoples as shall bring peace and safety to all nations and make the world itself at last free. To such a task we can dedicate our lives and our fortunes, everything that we are and everything that we have, with the pride of those who know that the day has come when America is privileged to spend her blood and her might for the principles that gave her birth and happiness and the peace which she has treasured. God helping her, she can do no other.”

On April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson of the USA delivered his address to Congress, calling for declaration of war against what was at the time, a belligerent and aggressive Germany in WWI. Despite his isolationism and anti-war position earlier in his tenure as president, he convinced Congress that America had a moral duty to the world to step out of their neutral observer status into an active role of world leadership and stewardship in order to liberate attacked nations from their German aggressors. The idealistic values he preached in his speech left an indelible imprint upon the American spirit and self-conception, forming the moral basis for the country’s people and aspirational visions to this very day.

4. Ain’t I A Woman by Sojourner Truth

“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? 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? … If the first woman God ever made was strong enough to turn the world upside down all alone, these women together ought to be able to turn it back , and get it right side up again! And now they is asking to do it, the men better let them.”

Hailing from a background of slavery and oppression, Sojourner Truth was one of the most revolutionary advocates for women’s human rights in the 1800s. In spite of the New York Anti-Slavery Law of 1827, her slavemaster refused to free her. As such, she fled, became an itinerant preacher and leading figure in the anti-slavery movement. By the 1850s, she became involved in the women’s rights movement as well. At the 1851 Women’s Rights Convention held in Akron, Ohio, she delivered her illuminating, forceful speech against discrimination of women and African Americans in the post-Civil War era, entrenching her status as one of the most revolutionary abolitionists and women’s rights activists across history.

5. The Gettsyburg Address by Abraham Lincoln

“Fondly do we hope, fervently do we pray, that this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsman’s two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk, and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago, so still it must be said “the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.” 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.”

President Abraham Lincoln had left the most lasting legacy upon American history for good reason, as one of the presidents with the moral courage to denounce slavery for the national atrocity it was. However, more difficult than standing up for the anti-slavery cause was the task of unifying the country post-abolition despite the looming shadows of a time when white Americans could own and subjugate slaves with impunity over the thousands of Americans who stood for liberation of African Americans from discrimination. He urged Americans to remember their common roots, heritage and the importance of “charity for all”, to ensure a “just and lasting peace” among within the country despite throes of racial division and self-determination.

6. Woman’s Rights to the Suffrage by Susan B Anthony

“For any State to make sex a qualification that must ever result in the disfranchisement of one entire half of the people is to pass a bill of attainder, or an ex post facto law, and is therefore a violation of the supreme law of the land. By it the blessings of liberty are for ever withheld from women and their female posterity. To them this government has no just powers derived from the consent of the governed. To them this government is not a democracy. It is not a republic. It is an odious aristocracy; a hateful oligarchy of sex; the most hateful aristocracy ever established on the face of the globe; an oligarchy of wealth, where the right govern the poor. An oligarchy of learning, where the educated govern the ignorant, or even an oligarchy of race, where the Saxon rules the African, might be endured; but this oligarchy of sex, which makes father, brothers, husband, sons, the oligarchs over the mother and sisters, the wife and daughters of every household–which ordains all men sovereigns, all women subjects, carries dissension, discord and rebellion into every home of the nation. Webster, Worcester and Bouvier all define a citizen to be a person in the United States, entitled to vote and hold office. The only question left to be settled now is: Are women persons? And I hardly believe any of our opponents will have the hardihood to say they are not. Being persons, then, women are citizens; and no State has a right to make any law, or to enforce any old law, that shall abridge their privileges or immunities. Hence, every discrimination against women in the constitutions and laws of the several States is today null and void, precisely as in every one against Negroes.”

Susan B. Anthony was a pivotal leader in the women’s suffrage movement who helped to found the National Woman Suffrage Association with Elizabeth Cady Stanton and fight for the constitutional right for women to vote. She courageously and relentlessly advocated for women’s rights, giving speeches all over the USA to convince people of women’s human rights to choice and the ballot. She is most well known for her act of righteous rebellion in 1872 when she voted in the presidential election illegally, for which she was arrested and tried unsuccessfully. She refused to pay the $100 fine in a bid to reject the demands of the American system she denounced as a ‘hateful oligarchy of sex’, sparking change with her righteous oratory and inspiring many others in the women’s suffrage movement within and beyond America.

7. Vladimir Lenin’s Speech at an International Meeting in Berne, February 8, 1916

“It may sound incredible, especially to Swiss comrades, but it is nevertheless true that in Russia, also, not only bloody tsarism, not only the capitalists, but also a section of the so-called or ex-Socialists say that Russia is fighting a “war of defence,” that Russia is only fighting against German invasion. The whole world knows, however, that for decades tsarism has been oppressing more than a hundred million people belonging to other nationalities in Russia; that for decades Russia has been pursuing a predatory policy towards China, Persia, Armenia and Galicia. Neither Russia, nor Germany, nor any other Great Power has the right to claim that it is waging a “war of defence”; all the Great Powers are waging an imperialist, capitalist war, a predatory war, a war for the oppression of small and foreign nations, a war for the sake of the profits of the capitalists, who are coining golden profits amounting to billions out of the appalling sufferings of the masses, out of the blood of the proletariat. … This again shows you, comrades, that in all countries of the world real preparations are being made to rally the forces of the working class. The horrors of war and the sufferings of the people are incredible. But we must not, and we have no reason whatever, to view the future with despair. The millions of victims who will fall in the war, and as a consequence of the war, will not fall in vain. The millions who are starving, the millions who are sacrificing their lives in the trenches, are not only suffering, they are also gathering strength, are pondering over the real cause of the war, are becoming more determined and are acquiring a clearer revolutionary understanding. Rising discontent of the masses, growing ferment, strikes, demonstrations, protests against the war—all this is taking place in all countries of the world. And this is the guarantee that the European War will be followed by the proletarian revolution against capitalism”

Vladimir Lenin remains to this day one of the most lauded communist revolutionaries in the world who brought the dangers of imperialism and capitalism to light with his rousing speeches condemning capitalist structures of power which inevitably enslave people to lives of misery and class stratification. In his genuine passion for the rights of the working class, he urged fellow comrades to turn the “imperialist war” into a “civil” or class war of the proletariat against the bourgeoisie. He encouraged the development of new revolutionary socialist organisations, solidarity across places in society so people could unite against their capitalist overlords, and criticised nationalism for its divisive effect on the socialist movement. In this speech especially, he lambasts “bloody Tsarism” for its oppression of millions of people of other nationalities in Russia, calling for the working class people to revolt against the Tsarist authority for the proletariat revolution to succeed and liberate them from class oppression.

8. I Have A Dream Speech by Mary Wollstonecraft

“If, I say, for I would not impress by declamation when Reason offers her sober light, if they be really capable of acting like rational creatures, let them not be treated like slaves; or, like the brutes who are dependent on the reason of man, when they associate with him; but cultivate their minds, give them the salutary, sublime curb of principle, and let them attain conscious dignity by feeling themselves only dependent on God. Teach them, in common with man, to submit to necessity, instead of giving, to render them more pleasing, a sex to morals. Further, should experience prove that they cannot attain the same degree of strength of mind, perseverance, and fortitude, let their virtues be the same in kind, though they may vainly struggle for the same degree; and the superiority of man will be equally clear, if not clearer; and truth, as it is a simple principle, which admits of no modification, would be common to both. Nay, the order of society as it is at present regulated would not be inverted, for woman would then only have the rank that reason assigned her, and arts could not be practised to bring the balance even, much less to turn it.”

In her vindication of the rights of women, Mary Wollstonecraft was one of the pioneers of the feminist movement back in 1792 who not only theorised and advocated revolutionarily, but gave speeches that voiced these challenges against a dominantly sexist society intent on classifying women as irrational less-than-human creatures to be enslaved as they were. In this landmark speech, she pronounces her ‘dream’ of a day when women would be treated as the rational, deserving humans they are, who are equal to man in strength and capability. With this speech setting an effective precedent for her call to equalize women before the law, she also went on to champion the provision of equal educational opportunities to women and girls, and persuasively argued against the patriarchal gender norms which prevented women from finding their own lot in life through their being locked into traditional institutions of marriage and motherhood against their will.

9. First Inaugural Speech by Franklin D Roosevelt

“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. … More important, a host of unemployed citizens face the grim problem of existence, and an equally great number toil with little return. Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment. Our greatest primary task is to put people to work. This is no unsolvable problem if we face it wisely and courageously. There are many ways in which it can be helped, but it can never be helped merely by talking about it. We must act and act quickly. … I am prepared under my constitutional duty to recommend the measures that a stricken Nation in the midst of a stricken world may require. These measures, or such other measures as the Congress may build out of its experience and wisdom, I shall seek, within my constitutional authority, to bring to speedy adoption. But in the event that the Congress shall fail to take one of these two courses, and in the event that the national emergency is still critical, I shall not evade the clear course of duty that will then confront me. I shall ask the Congress for the one remaining instrument to meet the crisis — broad Executive power to wage a war against the emergency, as great as the power that would be given to me if we were in fact invaded by a foreign foe.”

Roosevelt’s famous inaugural speech was delivered in the midst of a period of immense tension and strain under the Great Depression, where he highlighted the need for ‘quick action’ by Congress to prepare for government expansion in his pursuit of reforms to lift the American people out of devastating poverty. In a landslide victory, he certainly consolidated the hopes and will of the American people through this compelling speech.

10. The Hypocrisy of American Slavery by Frederick Douglass

“What to the American slave is your Fourth of July? I answer, a day that reveals to him more than all other days of 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 shouts of liberty and equality, hollow mock; 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 of the earth guilty of practices more shocking and bloody than are the people of these United States at this very hour. Go search where you will, roam through all the monarchies and despotisms of the Old World, travel through South America, search out every abuse and when you have found the last, lay your facts by the side of the everyday practices of this nation, and you will say with me that, for revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy, America reigns without a rival.”

On 4 July 1852, Frederick Douglass gave this speech in Rochester, New York, highlighting the hypocrisy of celebrating freedom while slavery continues. He exposed the ‘revolting barbarity and shameless hypocrisy’ of slavery which had gone unabolished amidst the comparatively obscene celebration of independence and liberty with his potent speech and passion for the anti-abolition cause. After escaping from slavery, he went on to become a national leader of the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts and New York with his oratory and incisive antislavery writings. To this day, his fierce activism and devotion to exposing virulent racism for what it was has left a lasting legacy upon pro-Black social movements and the overall sociopolitical landscape of America.

11. Still I Rise by Maya Angelou

“You may write me down in history With your bitter, twisted lies, You may trod me in the very dirt But still, like dust, I’ll rise. Does my sassiness upset you? Why are you beset with gloom? ’Cause I walk like I’ve got oil wells Pumping in my living room. Just like moons and like suns, With the certainty of tides, Just like hopes springing high, Still I’ll rise. Did you want to see me broken? Bowed head and lowered eyes? Shoulders falling down like teardrops, Weakened by my soulful cries? Does my haughtiness offend you? Don’t you take it awful hard ’Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold mines Diggin’ in my own backyard. You may shoot me with your words, You may cut me with your eyes, You may kill me with your hatefulness, But still, like air, I’ll rise. Does my sexiness upset you? Does it come as a surprise That I dance like I’ve got diamonds At the meeting of my thighs? Out of the huts of history’s shame I rise Up from a past that’s rooted in pain I rise I’m a black ocean, leaping and wide, Welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear I rise Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear I rise Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise I rise I rise.”

With her iconic poem Still I Rise , Maya Angelou is well-known for uplifting fellow African American women through her empowering novels and poetry and her work as a civil rights activist. Every bit as lyrical on the page, her recitation of Still I Rise continues to give poetry audiences shivers all over the world, inspiring women of colour everywhere to keep the good faith in striving for equality and peace, while radically believing in and empowering themselves to be agents of change. A dramatic reading of the poem will easily showcase the self-belief, strength and punch that it packs in the last stanza on the power of resisting marginalization.

12. Their Finest Hour by Winston Churchill

“What General Weygand called the Battle of France is over. I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilization. Upon it depends our own British life, and the long continuity of our institutions and our Empire. The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us. Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this Island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands. But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, “This was their finest hour.””

In the darkest shadows cast by war, few leaders have been able to step up to the mantle and effectively unify millions of citizens for truly sacrificial causes. Winston Churchill was the extraordinary exception – lifting 1940 Britain out of the darkness with his hopeful, convicted rhetoric to galvanise the English amidst bleak, dreary days of war and loss. Through Britain’s standalone position in WWII against the Nazis, he left his legacy by unifying the nation under shared sacrifices of the army and commemorating their courage.

13. A Room of One’s Own by Virginia Woolf

“Life for both sexes – and I looked at them (through a restaurant window while waiting for my lunch to be served), shouldering their way along the pavement – is arduous, difficult, a perpetual struggle. It calls for gigantic courage and strength. More than anything, perhaps, creatures of illusion as we are, it calls for confidence in oneself. Without self-confidence we are babes in the cradle. And how can we generate this imponderable quality, which is yet so invaluable, most quickly? By thinking that other people are inferior to oneself. By feeling that one has some innate superiority – it may be wealth, or rank, a straight nose, or the portrait of a grandfather by Romney – for there is no end to the pathetic devices of the human imagination – over other people. Hence the enormous importance to a patriarch who has to conquer, who has to rule, of feeling that great numbers of people, half the human race indeed, are by nature inferior to himself. It must indeed be one of the great sources of his power….Women have served all these centuries as looking-glasses possessing the magic and delicious power of reflecting the figure of man at twice its natural size. Without that power probably the earth would still be swamp and jungle. The glories of all our wars would be on the remains of mutton bones and bartering flints for sheepskins or whatever simple ornament took our unsophisticated taste. Supermen and Fingers of Destiny would never have existed. The Czar and the Kaiser would never have worn their crowns or lost them. Whatever may be their use in civilised societies, mirrors are essential to all violent and heroic action. That is why Napoleon and Mussolini both insist so emphatically upon the inferiority of women, for if they were not inferior, they would cease to enlarge. That serves to explain in part the necessity that women so often are to men. And it serves to explain how restless they are under her criticism; how impossible it is for her to say to them this book is bad, this picture is feeble, or whatever it may be, without giving far more pain and rousing far more anger than a man would do who gave the same criticism. For if she begins to tell the truth, the figure in the looking-glass shrinks; his fitness in life is diminished. How is he to go on giving judgment, civilising natives, making laws, writing books, dressing up and speechifying at banquets, unless he can see himself at breakfast and at dinner at least twice the size he really is?”

In this transformational speech , Virginia Woolf pronounces her vision that ‘a woman must have money and a room of her own if she is to write fiction’. She calls out the years in which women have been deprived of their own space for individual development through being chained to traditional arrangements or men’s prescriptions – demanding ‘gigantic courage’ and ‘confidence in oneself’ to brave through the onerous struggle of creating change for women’s rights. With her steadfast, stolid rhetoric and radical theorization, she paved the way for many women’s rights activists and writers to forge their own paths against patriarchal authority.

14. Inaugural Address by John F Kennedy

“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. Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God’s work must truly be our own.”

For what is probably the most historically groundbreaking use of parallelism in speech across American history, President JFK placed the weighty task of ‘asking what one can do for their country’ onto the shoulders of each American citizen. Using an air of firmness in his rhetoric by declaring his commitment to his countrymen, he urges each American to do the same for the broader, noble ideal of freedom for all. With his crucial interrogation of a citizen’s moral duty to his nation, President JFK truly made history.

15. Atoms for Peace Speech by Dwight Eisenhower

“To pause there would be to confirm the hopeless finality of a belief that two atomic colossi are doomed malevolently to eye each other indefinitely across a trembling world. To stop there would be to accept helplessly the probability of civilization destroyed, the annihilation of the irreplaceable heritage of mankind handed down to us from generation to generation, and the condemnation of mankind to begin all over again the age-old struggle upward from savagery towards decency, and right, and justice. Surely no sane member of the human race could discover victory in such desolation. Could anyone wish his name to be coupled by history with such human degradation and destruction?Occasional pages of history do record the faces of the “great destroyers”, but the whole book of history reveals mankind’s never-ending quest for peace and mankind’s God-given capacity to build. It is with the book of history, and not with isolated pages, that the United States will ever wish to be identified. My country wants to be constructive,not destructive. It wants agreements, not wars, among nations. It wants itself to live in freedom and in the confidence that the peoples of every other nation enjoy equally the right of choosing their own way of life. So my country’s purpose is to help us to move out of the dark chamber of horrors into the light, to find a way by which the minds of men, the hopes of men, the souls of men everywhere, can move forward towards peace and happiness and well-being.”

On a possibility as frightful and tense as nuclear war, President Eisenhower managed to convey the gravity of the world’s plight in his measured and persuasive speech centred on the greater good of mankind. Using rhetorical devices such as the three-part paratactical syntax which most world leaders are fond of for ingraining their words in the minds of their audience, he centers the discourse of the atomic bomb on those affected by such a world-changing decision in ‘the minds, hopes and souls of men everywhere’ – effectively putting the vivid image of millions of people’s fates at stake in the minds of his audience. Being able to make a topic as heavy and fraught with moral conflict as this as eloquent as he did, Eisenhower definitely ranks among some of the most skilled orators to date.

16. The Transformation of Silence into Language and Action by Audre Lorde

“I was going to die, if not sooner then later, whether or not I had ever spoken myself. My silences had not protected me. Your silence will not protect you. But for every real word spoken, for every attempt I had ever made to speak those truths for which I am still seeking, I had made contact with other women while we examined the words to fit a world in which we all believed, bridging our differences. What are the words you do not have yet? What do you need to say? What are the tyrannies you swallow day by day and attempt to make your own, until you will sicken and die of them, still in silence? Perhaps for some of you here today, I am the face of one of your fears. Because I am a woman, because I am black, because I am myself, a black woman warrior poet doing my work, come to ask you, are you doing yours?”

Revolutionary writer, feminist and civil rights activist Audre Lorde first delivered this phenomenal speech at Lesbian and Literature panel of the Modern Language Association’s December 28, 1977 meeting, which went on to feature permanently in her writings for its sheer wisdom and truth. Her powerful writing and speech about living on the margins of society has enlightened millions of people discriminated across various intersections, confronting them with the reality that they must speak – since their ‘silence will not protect’ them from further marginalization. Through her illuminating words and oratory, she has reminded marginalized persons of the importance of their selfhood and the radical capacity for change they have in a world blighted by prejudice and division.

17. 1965 Cambridge Union Hall Speech by James Baldwin

“What is dangerous here is the turning away from – the turning away from – anything any white American says. The reason for the political hesitation, in spite of the Johnson landslide is that one has been betrayed by American politicians for so long. And I am a grown man and perhaps I can be reasoned with. I certainly hope I can be. But I don’t know, and neither does Martin Luther King, none of us know how to deal with those other people whom the white world has so long ignored, who don’t believe anything the white world says and don’t entirely believe anything I or Martin is saying. And one can’t blame them. You watch what has happened to them in less than twenty years.”

Baldwin’s invitation to the Cambridge Union Hall is best remembered for foregrounding the unflinching differences in white and African Americans’ ‘system of reality’ in everyday life. Raising uncomfortable truths about the insidious nature of racism post-civil war, he provides several nuggets of thought-provoking wisdom on the state of relations between the oppressed and their oppressors, and what is necessary to mediate such relations and destroy the exploitative thread of racist hatred. With great frankness, he admits to not having all the answers but provides hard-hitting wisdom on engagement to guide activists through confounding times nonetheless.

18. I Am Prepared to Die by Nelson Mandela

“Above all, My Lord, we want equal political rights, because without them our disabilities will be permanent. I know this sounds revolutionary to the whites in this country, because the majority of voters will be Africans. This makes the white man fear democracy. But this fear cannot be allowed to stand in the way of the only solution which will guarantee racial harmony and freedom for all. It is not true that the enfranchisement of all will result in racial domination. Political division, based on colour, is entirely artificial and, when it disappears, so will the domination of one colour group by another. The ANC has spent half a century fighting against racialism. When it triumphs as it certainly must, it will not change that policy. This then is what the ANC is fighting. Our struggle is a truly national one. It is a struggle of the African people, inspired by our own suffering and our own experience. It is a struggle for the right to live. During my lifetime I have dedicated my life 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 will live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal for which I hope to live for and to see realised. But, My Lord, if it needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.”

Apartheid is still considered one of these most devastating events of world history, and it would not have ended without the crucial effort and words of Nelson Mandela during his courageous political leadership. In this heartbreaking speech , he voices his utter devotion to the fight against institutionalised racism in African society – an ideal for which he was ‘prepared to die for’. Mandela continues to remind us today of his moral conviction in leading, wherein the world would likely to be a better place if all politicians had the same resolve and genuine commitment to human rights and the abolition of oppression as he did.

19. Critique on British Imperialism by General Aung San

“Do they form their observations by seeing the attendances at not very many cinemas and theatres of Rangoon? Do they judge this question of money circulation by paying a stray visit to a local bazaar? Do they know that cinemas and theatres are not true indicators, at least in Burma, of the people’s conditions? Do they know that there are many in this country who cannot think of going to these places by having to struggle for their bare existence from day to day? Do they know that those who nowadays patronise or frequent cinemas and theatres which exist only in Rangoon and a few big towns, belong generally to middle and upper classes and the very few of the many poor who can attend at all are doing so as a desperate form of relaxation just to make them forget their unsupportable existences for the while whatever may be the tomorrow that awaits them?”

Under British colonial rule, one of the most legendary nationalist leaders emerged from the ranks of the thousands of Burmese to boldly lead them towards independence, out of the exploitation and control under the British. General Aung San’s speech criticising British social, political and economic control of Burma continues to be scathing, articulate, and relevant – especially given his necessary goal of uniting the Burmese natives against their common oppressor. He successfully galvanised his people against the British, taking endless risks through nationalist speeches and demonstrations which gradually bore fruit in Burma’s independence.

20. Nobel Lecture by Mother Teresa

“I believe that we are not real social workers. We may be doing social work in the eyes of the people, but we are really contemplatives in the heart of the world. For we are touching the Body Of Christ 24 hours. We have 24 hours in this presence, and so you and I. You too try to bring that presence of God in your family, for the family that prays together stays together. And I think that we in our family don’t need bombs and guns, to destroy to bring peace–just get together, love one another, bring that peace, that joy, that strength of presence of each other in the home. And we will be able to overcome all the evil that is in the world. There is so much suffering, so much hatred, so much misery, and we with our prayer, with our sacrifice are beginning at home. Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do, but how much love we put in the action that we do. It is to God Almighty–how much we do it does not matter, because He is infinite, but how much love we put in that action. How much we do to Him in the person that we are serving.”

In contemporary culture, most people understand Mother Teresa to be the epitome of compassion and kindness. However, if one were to look closer at her speeches from the past, one would discover not merely her altruistic contributions, but her keen heart for social justice and the downtrodden. She wisely and gracefully remarks that ‘love begins at home’ from the individual actions of each person within their private lives, which accumulate into a life of goodness and charity. For this, her speeches served not just consolatory value or momentary relevance, as they still inform the present on how we can live lives worth living.

21. June 9 Speech to Martial Law Units by Deng Xiaoping

“This army still maintains the traditions of our old Red Army. What they crossed this time was in the true sense of the expression a political barrier, a threshold of life and death. This was not easy. This shows that the People’s Army is truly a great wall of iron and steel of the party and state. This shows that no matter how heavy our losses, the army, under the leadership of the party, will always remain the defender of the country, the defender of socialism, and the defender of the public interest. They are a most lovable people. At the same time, we should never forget how cruel our enemies are. We should have not one bit of forgiveness for them. The fact that this incident broke out as it did is very worthy of our pondering. It prompts us cool-headedly to consider the past and the future. Perhaps this bad thing will enable us to go ahead with reform and the open policy at a steadier and better — even a faster — pace, more speedily correct our mistakes, and better develop our strong points.”

Mere days before the 4 June 1989 Tiananmen Square uprising, Chinese Communist Party leader Deng Xiaoping sat with six party elders (senior officials) and the three remaining members of the Politburo Standing Committee, the paramount decision-making body in China’s government. The meeting was organised to discuss the best course of action for restoring social and political order to China, given the sweeping economic reforms that had taken place in the past decade that inevitably resulted in some social resistance from the populace. Deng then gave this astute and well-regarded speech, outlining the political complexities in shutting down student protests given the context of reforms encouraging economic liberalization already taking place, as aligned with the students’ desires. It may not be the most rousing or inflammatory of speeches, but it was certainly persuasive in voicing the importance of taking a strong stand for the economic reforms Deng was implementing to benefit Chinese citizens in the long run. Today, China is an economic superpower, far from its war-torn developing country status before Deng’s leadership – thanks to his foresight in ensuring political stability would allow China to enjoy the fruits of the massive changes they adapted to.

22. Freedom or Death by Emmeline Pankhurst

“You won your freedom in America when you had the revolution, by bloodshed, by sacrificing human life. You won the civil war by the sacrifice of human life when you decided to emancipate the negro. 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. Now whether you approve of us or whether you do not, you must see that we have brought the question of women’s suffrage into a position where it is of first rate importance, where it can be ignored no longer. Even the most hardened politician will hesitate to take upon himself directly the responsibility of sacrificing the lives of women of undoubted honour, of undoubted earnestness of purpose. That is the political situation as I lay it before you today.”

In 1913 after Suffragette Emily Davison stepped in front of King George V’s horse at the Epsom Derby and suffered fatal injuries, Emmeline Pankhurst delivered her speech to Connecticut as a call to action for people to support the suffragette movement. Her fortitude in delivering such a sobering speech on the state of women’s rights is worth remembering for its invaluable impact and contributions to the rights we enjoy in today’s world.

23. Quit India by Mahatma Gandhi

“We shall either free India or die in the attempt; we shall not live to see the perpetuation of our slavery. Every true Congressman or woman will join the struggle with an inflexible determination not to remain alive to see the country in bondage and slavery. Let that be your pledge. Keep jails out of your consideration. If the Government keep me free, I will not put on the Government the strain of maintaining a large number of prisoners at a time, when it is in trouble. Let every man and woman live every moment of his or her life hereafter in the consciousness that he or she eats or lives for achieving freedom and will die, if need be, to attain that goal. Take a pledge, with God and your own conscience as witness, that you will no longer rest till freedom is achieved and will be prepared to lay down your lives in the attempt to achieve it. He who loses his life will gain it; he who will seek to save it shall lose it. Freedom is not for the coward or the faint-hearted.”

Naturally, the revolutionary activist Gandhi had to appear in this list for his impassioned anti-colonial speeches which rallied Indians towards independence. Famous for leading non-violent demonstrations, his speeches were a key element in gathering Indians of all backgrounds together for the common cause of eliminating their colonial masters. His speeches were resolute, eloquent, and courageous, inspiring the hope and admiration of many not just within India, but around the world.

24. 1974 National Book Award Speech by Adrienne Rich, Alice Walker, Audre Lorde

“The statement I am going to read was prepared by three of the women nominated for the National Book Award for poetry, with the agreement that it would be read by whichever of us, if any, was chosen.We, Audre Lorde, Adrienne Rich, and Alice Walker, together accept this award in the name of all the women whose voices have gone and still go unheard in a patriarchal world, and in the name of those who, like us, have been tolerated as token women in this culture, often at great cost and in great pain. We believe that we can enrich ourselves more in supporting and giving to each other than by competing against each other; and that poetry—if it is poetry—exists in a realm beyond ranking and comparison. We symbolically join together here in refusing the terms of patriarchal competition and declaring that we will share this prize among us, to be used as best we can for women. We appreciate the good faith of the judges for this award, but none of us could accept this money for herself, nor could she let go unquestioned the terms on which poets are given or denied honor and livelihood in this world, especially when they are women. We dedicate this occasion to the struggle for self-determination of all women, of every color, identification, or derived class: the poet, the housewife, the lesbian, the mathematician, the mother, the dishwasher, the pregnant teen-ager, the teacher, the grandmother, the prostitute, the philosopher, the waitress, the women who will understand what we are doing here and those who will not understand yet; the silent women whose voices have been denied us, the articulate women who have given us strength to do our work.”

Adrienne Rich, Audre Lorde, and Alice Walker wrote this joint speech to be delivered by Adrienne Rich at the 1974 National Book Awards, based on their suspicions that the first few African American lesbian women to be nominated for the awards would be snubbed in favour of a white woman nominee. Their suspicions were confirmed, and Adrienne Rich delivered this socially significant speech in solidarity with her fellow nominees, upholding the voices of the ‘silent women whose voices have been denied’.

25. Speech to 20th Congress of the CPSU by Nikita Khruschev

“Considering the question of the cult of an individual, we must first of all show everyone what harm this caused to the interests of our Party. Vladimir Ilyich Lenin had always stressed the Party’s role and significance in the direction of the socialist government of workers and peasants; he saw in this the chief precondition for a successful building of socialism in our country. Pointing to the great responsibility of the Bolshevik Party, as ruling Party of the Soviet state, Lenin called for the most meticulous observance of all norms of Party life; he called for the realization of the principles of collegiality in the direction of the Party and the state. Collegiality of leadership flows from the very nature of our Party, a Party built on the principles of democratic centralism. “This means,” said Lenin, “that all Party matters are accomplished by all Party members – directly or through representatives – who, without any exceptions, are subject to the same rules; in addition, all administrative members, all directing collegia, all holders of Party positions are elective, they must account for their activities and are recallable.””

This speech is possibly the most famed Russian speech for its status as a ‘secret’ speech delivered only to the CPSU at the time, which was eventually revealed to the public. Given the unchallenged political legacy and cult of personality which Stalin left in the Soviet Union, Nikita Khruschev’s speech condemning the authoritarian means Stalin had resorted to to consolidate power as un-socialist was an important mark in Russian history.

26. The Struggle for Human Rights by Eleanor Roosevelt

“It is my belief, and I am sure it is also yours, that the struggle for democracy and freedom is a critical struggle, for their preservation is essential to the great objective of the United Nations to maintain international peace and security. Among free men the end cannot justify the means. We know the patterns of totalitarianism — the single political party, the control of schools, press, radio, the arts, the sciences, and the church to support autocratic authority; these are the age-old patterns against which men have struggled for three thousand years. These are the signs of reaction, retreat, and retrogression. The United Nations must hold fast to the heritage of freedom won by the struggle of its people; it must help us to pass it on to generations to come. The development of the ideal of freedom and its translation into the everyday life of the people in great areas of the earth is the product of the efforts of many peoples. It is the fruit of a long tradition of vigorous thinking and courageous action. No one race and on one people can claim to have done all the work to achieve greater dignity for human beings and great freedom to develop human personality. In each generation and in each country there must be a continuation of the struggle and new steps forward must be taken since this is preeminently a field in which to stand still is to retreat.”

Eleanor Roosevelt has been among the most well-loved First Ladies for good reason – her eloquence and gravitas in delivering every speech convinced everyone of her suitability for the oval office. In this determined and articulate speech , she outlines the fundamental values that form the bedrock of democracy, urging the rest of the world to uphold human rights regardless of national ideology and interests.

27. The Ballot or The Bullet by Malcolm X

“And in this manner, the organizations will increase in number and in quantity and in quality, and by August, it is then our intention to have a black nationalist convention which will consist of delegates from all over the country who are interested in the political, economic and social philosophy of black nationalism. After these delegates convene, we will hold a seminar; we will hold discussions; we will listen to everyone. We want to hear new ideas and new solutions and new answers. And at that time, if we see fit then to form a black nationalist party, we’ll form a black nationalist party. If it’s necessary to form a black nationalist army, we’ll form a black nationalist army. It’ll be the ballot or the bullet. It’ll be liberty or it’ll be death.”

Inarguably, the revolutionary impact Malcolm X’s fearless oratory had was substantial in his time as a radical anti-racist civil rights activist. His speeches’ emancipatory potential put forth his ‘theory of rhetorical action’ where he urges Black Americans to employ both the ballot and the bullet, strategically without being dependent on the other should the conditions of oppression change. A crucial leader in the fight for civil rights, he opened the eyes of thousands of Black Americans, politicising and convincing them of the necessity of fighting for their democratic rights against white supremacists.

28. Living the Revolution by Gloria Steinem

“The challenge to all of us, and to you men and women who are graduating today, is to live a revolution, not to die for one. There has been too much killing, and the weapons are now far too terrible. This revolution has to change consciousness, to upset the injustice of our current hierarchy by refusing to honor it, and to live a life that enforces a new social justice. Because the truth is none of us can be liberated if other groups are not.”

In an unexpected commencement speech delivered at Vassar College in 1970, Gloria Steinem boldly makes a call to action on behalf of marginalized groups in need of liberation to newly graduated students. She proclaimed it the year of Women’s Liberation and forcefully highlighted the need for a social revolution to ‘upset the injustice of the current hierarchy’ in favour of human rights – echoing the hard-hitting motto on social justice, ‘until all of us are free, none of us are free’.

29. The Last Words of Harvey Milk by Harvey Milk

“I cannot prevent some people from feeling angry and frustrated and mad in response to my death, but I hope they will take the frustration and madness and instead of demonstrating or anything of that type, I would hope that they would take the power and I would hope that five, ten, one hundred, a thousand would rise. I would like to see every gay lawyer, every gay architect come out, stand up and let the world know. That would do more to end prejudice overnight than anybody could imagine. I urge them to do that, urge them to come out. Only that way will we start to achieve our rights. … All I ask is for the movement to continue, and if a bullet should enter my brain, let that bullet destroy every closet door…”

As the first openly gay elected official in the history of California, Harvey Milk’s entire political candidature was in itself a radical statement against the homophobic status quo at the time. Given the dangerous times he was in as an openly gay man, he anticipated that he would be assassinated eventually in his political career. As such, these are some of his last words which show the utter devotion he had to campaigning against homophobia while representing the American people, voicing his heartbreaking wish for the bullet that would eventually kill him to ‘destroy every closet door’.

30. Black Power Address at UC Berkeley by Stokely Carmichael

“Now we are now engaged in a psychological struggle in this country, and that is whether or not black people will have the right to use the words they want to use without white people giving their sanction to it; and that we maintain, whether they like it or not, we gonna use the word “Black Power” — and let them address themselves to that; but that we are not going to wait for white people to sanction Black Power. We’re tired waiting; every time black people move in this country, they’re forced to defend their position before they move. It’s time that the people who are supposed to be defending their position do that. That’s white people. They ought to start defending themselves as to why they have oppressed and exploited us.”

A forceful and impressive orator, Stokely Carmichael was among those at the forefront of the civil rights movement, who was a vigorous socialist organizer as well. He led the Black Power movement wherein he gave this urgent, influential speech that propelled Black Americans forward in their fight for constitutional rights in the 1960s.

31. Speech on Vietnam by Lyndon Johnson

“The true peace-keepers are those men who stand out there on the DMZ at this very hour, taking the worst that the enemy can give. The true peace-keepers are the soldiers who are breaking the terrorist’s grip around the villages of Vietnam—the civilians who are bringing medical care and food and education to people who have already suffered a generation of war. And so I report to you that we are going to continue to press forward. Two things we must do. Two things we shall do. First, we must not mislead the enemy. Let him not think that debate and dissent will produce wavering and withdrawal. For I can assure you they won’t. Let him not think that protests will produce surrender. Because they won’t. Let him not think that he will wait us out. For he won’t. Second, we will provide all that our brave men require to do the job that must be done. And that job is going to be done. These gallant men have our prayers-have our thanks—have our heart-felt praise—and our deepest gratitude. Let the world know that the keepers of peace will endure through every trial—and that with the full backing of their countrymen, they are going to prevail.”

During some of the most harrowing periods of human history, the Vietnam War, American soldiers were getting soundly defeated by the Vietnamese in guerrilla warfare. President Lyndon Johnson then issued this dignified, consolatory speech to encourage patriotism and support for the soldiers putting their lives on the line for the nation.

32. A Whisper of AIDS by Mary Fisher

“We may take refuge in our stereotypes, but we cannot hide there long, because HIV asks only one thing of those it attacks. Are you human? And this is the right question. Are you human? Because people with HIV have not entered some alien state of being. They are human. They have not earned cruelty, and they do not deserve meanness. They don’t benefit from being isolated or treated as outcasts. Each of them is exactly what God made: a person; not evil, deserving of our judgment; not victims, longing for our pity people, ready for support and worthy of compassion. We must be consistent if we are to be believed. We cannot love justice and ignore prejudice, love our children and fear to teach them. Whatever our role as parent or policymaker, we must act as eloquently as we speak else we have no integrity. My call to the nation is a plea for awareness. If you believe you are safe, you are in danger. Because I was not hemophiliac, I was not at risk. Because I was not gay, I was not at risk. Because I did not inject drugs, I was not at risk. The lesson history teaches is this: If you believe you are safe, you are at risk. If you do not see this killer stalking your children, look again. There is no family or community, no race or religion, no place left in America that is safe. Until we genuinely embrace this message, we are a nation at risk.”

Back when AIDS research was still undeveloped, the stigma of contracting HIV was even more immense than it is today. A celebrated artist, author and speaker, Mary Fisher became an outspoken activist for those with HIV/AIDS, persuading people to extend compassion to the population with HIV instead of stigmatizing them – as injustice has a way of coming around to people eventually. Her bold act of speaking out for the community regardless of the way they contracted the disease, their sexual orientation or social group, was an influential move in advancing the human rights of those with HIV and spreading awareness on the discrimination they face.

33. Freedom from Fear by Aung San Suu Kyi

“The quintessential revolution is that of the spirit, born of an intellectual conviction of the need for change in those mental attitudes and values which shape the course of a nation’s development. A revolution which aims merely at changing official policies and institutions with a view to an improvement in material conditions has little chance of genuine success. Without a revolution of the spirit, the forces which produced the iniquities of the old order would continue to be operative, posing a constant threat to the process of reform and regeneration. It is not enough merely to call for freedom, democracy and human rights. There has to be a united determination to persevere in the struggle, to make sacrifices in the name of enduring truths, to resist the corrupting influences of desire, ill will, ignorance and fear. Saints, it has been said, are the sinners who go on trying. So free men are the oppressed who go on trying and who in the process make themselves fit to bear the responsibilities and to uphold the disciplines which will maintain a free society. Among the basic freedoms to which men aspire that their lives might be full and uncramped, freedom from fear stands out as both a means and an end. A people who would build a nation in which strong, democratic institutions are firmly established as a guarantee against state-induced power must first learn to liberate their own minds from apathy and fear.”

Famous for her resoluteness and fortitude in campaigning for democracy in Burma despite being put under house arrest by the military government, Aung San Suu Kyi’s speeches have been widely touted as inspirational. In this renowned speech of hers, she delivers a potent message to Burmese to ‘liberate their minds from apathy and fear’ in the struggle for freedom and human rights in the country. To this day, she continues to tirelessly champion the welfare and freedom of Burmese in a state still overcome by vestiges of authoritarian rule.

34. This Is Water by David Foster Wallace

“Our own present culture has harnessed these forces in ways that have yielded extraordinary wealth and comfort and personal freedom. The freedom all to be lords of our tiny skull-sized kingdoms, alone at the centre of all creation. This kind of freedom has much to recommend it. But of course there are all different kinds of freedom, and the kind that is most precious you will not hear much talk about much in the great outside world of wanting and achieving…. The really important kind of freedom involves attention and awareness and discipline, and being able truly to care about other people and to sacrifice for them over and over in myriad petty, unsexy ways every day. That is real freedom. That is being educated, and understanding how to think. The alternative is unconsciousness, the default setting, the rat race, the constant gnawing sense of having had, and lost, some infinite thing.”

Esteemed writer David Foster Wallace gave a remarkably casual yet wise commencement speech at Kenyon College in 2005 on the importance of learning to think beyond attaining a formal education. He encouraged hundreds of students to develop freedom of thought, a heart of sacrificial care for those in need of justice, and a consciousness that would serve them in discerning the right choices to make within a status quo that is easy to fall in line with. His captivating speech on what it meant to truly be ‘educated’ tugged at the hearts of many young and critical minds striving to achieve their dreams and change the world.

35. Questioning the Universe by Stephen Hawking

“This brings me to the last of the big questions: the future of the human race. If we are the only intelligent beings in the galaxy, we should make sure we survive and continue. But we are entering an increasingly dangerous period of our history. Our population and our use of the finite resources of planet Earth are growing exponentially, along with our technical ability to change the environment for good or ill. But our genetic code still carries the selfish and aggressive instincts that were of survival advantage in the past. It will be difficult enough to avoid disaster in the next hundred years, let alone the next thousand or million. Our only chance of long-term survival is not to remain inward-looking on planet Earth, but to spread out into space. The answers to these big questions show that we have made remarkable progress in the last hundred years. But if we want to continue beyond the next hundred years, our future is in space. That is why I am in favor of manned — or should I say, personned — space flight.”

Extraordinary theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and author Stephen Hawking was a considerable influence upon modern physics and scientific research at large, inspiring people regardless of physical ability to aspire towards expanding knowledge in the world. In his speech on Questioning the Universe, he speaks of the emerging currents and issues in the scientific world like that of outer space, raising and answering big questions that have stumped great thinkers for years.

36. 2008 Democratic National Convention Speech by Michelle Obama

“I stand here today at the crosscurrents of that history — knowing that my piece of the American dream is a blessing hard won by those who came before me. All of them driven by the same conviction that drove my dad to get up an hour early each day to painstakingly dress himself for work. The same conviction that drives the men and women I’ve met all across this country: People who work the day shift, kiss their kids goodnight, and head out for the night shift — without disappointment, without regret — that goodnight kiss a reminder of everything they’re working for. The military families who say grace each night with an empty seat at the table. The servicemen and women who love this country so much, they leave those they love most to defend it. The young people across America serving our communities — teaching children, cleaning up neighborhoods, caring for the least among us each and every day. People like Hillary Clinton, who put those 18 million cracks in the glass ceiling, so that our daughters — and sons — can dream a little bigger and aim a little higher. People like Joe Biden, who’s never forgotten where he came from and never stopped fighting for folks who work long hours and face long odds and need someone on their side again. All of us driven by a simple belief that the world as it is just won’t do — that we have an obligation to fight for the world as it should be. That is the thread that connects our hearts. That is the thread that runs through my journey and Barack’s journey and so many other improbable journeys that have brought us here tonight, where the current of history meets this new tide of hope. That is why I love this country.”

Ever the favourite modern First Lady of America, Michelle Obama has delivered an abundance of iconic speeches in her political capacity, never forgetting to foreground the indomitable human spirit embodied in American citizens’ everyday lives and efforts towards a better world. The Obamas might just have been the most articulate couple of rhetoricians of their time, making waves as the first African American president and First Lady while introducing important policies in their period of governance.

37. The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama

“I’m not talking about blind optimism here — the almost willful ignorance that thinks unemployment will go away if we just don’t think about it, or the health care crisis will solve itself if we just ignore it. That’s not what I’m talking about. I’m talking about something more substantial. It’s the hope of slaves sitting around a fire singing freedom songs; the hope of immigrants setting out for distant shores; the hope of a young naval lieutenant bravely patrolling the Mekong Delta; the hope of a millworker’s son who dares to defy the odds; the hope of a skinny kid with a funny name who believes that America has a place for him, too. Hope — Hope in the face of difficulty. Hope in the face of uncertainty. The audacity of hope! In the end, that is God’s greatest gift to us, the bedrock of this nation. A belief in things not seen. A belief that there are better days ahead.”

Now published into a book, Barack Obama’s heart-capturing personal story of transformational hope was first delivered as a speech on the merits of patriotic optimism and determination put to the mission of concrete change. He has come to be known as one of the most favoured and inspiring presidents in American history, and arguably the most skilled orators ever.

38. “Be Your Own Story” by Toni Morrison

“But I’m not going to talk anymore about the future because I’m hesitant to describe or predict because I’m not even certain that it exists. That is to say, I’m not certain that somehow, perhaps, a burgeoning ménage a trois of political interests, corporate interests and military interests will not prevail and literally annihilate an inhabitable, humane future. Because I don’t think we can any longer rely on separation of powers, free speech, religious tolerance or unchallengeable civil liberties as a matter of course. That is, not while finite humans in the flux of time make decisions of infinite damage. Not while finite humans make infinite claims of virtue and unassailable power that are beyond their competence, if not their reach. So, no happy talk about the future. … Because the past is already in debt to the mismanaged present. And besides, contrary to what you may have heard or learned, the past is not done and it is not over, it’s still in process, which is another way of saying that when it’s critiqued, analyzed, it yields new information about itself. The past is already changing as it is being reexamined, as it is being listened to for deeper resonances. Actually it can be more liberating than any imagined future if you are willing to identify its evasions, its distortions, its lies, and are willing to unleash its secrets.”

Venerated author and professor Toni Morrison delivered an impressively articulate speech at Wellesley College in 2004 to new graduates, bucking the trend by discussing the importance of the past in informing current and future ways of living. With her brilliance and eloquence, she blew the crowd away and renewed in them the capacity for reflection upon using the past as a talisman to guide oneself along the journey of life.

39. Nobel Speech by Malala Yousafzai

“Dear brothers and sisters, the so-called world of adults may understand it, but we children don’t. Why is it that countries which we call “strong” are so powerful in creating wars but so weak in bringing peace? Why is it that giving guns is so easy but giving books is so hard? Why is it that making tanks is so easy, but building schools is so difficult? As we are living in the modern age, the 21st century and we all believe that nothing is impossible. We can reach the moon and maybe soon will land on Mars. Then, in this, the 21st century, we must be determined that our dream of quality education for all will also come true. So let us bring equality, justice and peace for all. Not just the politicians and the world leaders, we all need to contribute. Me. You. It is our duty. So we must work … and not wait. I call upon my fellow children to stand up around the world. Dear sisters and brothers, let us become the first generation to decide to be the last. The empty classrooms, the lost childhoods, wasted potential-let these things end with us.”

At a mere 16 years of age, Malala Yousafzai gave a speech on the severity of the state of human rights across the world, and wowed the world with her passion for justice at her tender age. She displayed tenacity and fearlessness speaking about her survival of an assassination attempt for her activism for gender equality in the field of education. A model of courage to us all, her speech remains an essential one in the fight for human rights in the 21st century.

40. Final Commencement Speech by Michelle Obama

“If you are a person of faith, know that religious diversity is a great American tradition, too. In fact, that’s why people first came to this country — to worship freely. And whether you are Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh — these religions are teaching our young people about justice, and compassion, and honesty. So I want our young people to continue to learn and practice those values with pride. You see, our glorious diversity — our diversities of faiths and colors and creeds — that is not a threat to who we are, it makes us who we are. So the young people here and the young people out there: Do not ever let anyone make you feel like you don’t matter, or like you don’t have a place in our American story — because you do. And you have a right to be exactly who you are. But I also want to be very clear: This right isn’t just handed to you. No, this right has to be earned every single day. You cannot take your freedoms for granted. Just like generations who have come before you, you have to do your part to preserve and protect those freedoms. … It is our fundamental belief in the power of hope that has allowed us to rise above the voices of doubt and division, of anger and fear that we have faced in our own lives and in the life of this country. Our hope that if we work hard enough and believe in ourselves, then we can be whatever we dream, regardless of the limitations that others may place on us. The hope that when people see us for who we truly are, maybe, just maybe they, too, will be inspired to rise to their best possible selves.”

Finally, we have yet another speech by Michelle Obama given in her final remarks as First Lady – a tear-inducing event for many Americans and even people around the world. In this emotional end to her political tenure, she gives an empowering, hopeful, expressive speech to young Americans, exhorting them to take hold of its future in all their diversity and work hard at being their best possible selves.

Amidst the bleak era of our current time with Trump as president of the USA, not only Michelle Obama, but all 40 of these amazing speeches can serve as sources of inspiration and hope to everyone – regardless of their identity or ambitions. After hearing these speeches, which one’s your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!

Article Written By: Kai Xin Koh

How To Prepare An Awesome Business Presentation

by Kai Xin Koh

Business presentations are inescapable in today’s world, where entrepreneurship and innovation are at the heart of businesses. With limited...

Sign Up for Winning With Stories!

First Name *
Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

650 Informative Speech Topics & Unique Ideas

Icon Calendar 6 October 2024
Icon Page 6187 words
Icon Clock 28 min read

Informative speech topics cover diverse subjects meant to educate the audience by providing relevant data and unique insights. They can range from scientific informative themes to historical subjects. Topics can also encompass health matters, discussing breakthroughs in mental health therapy, or decoding the complexity of modern nutrition. Technology is another rich area, highlighting advancements in artificial intelligence or space exploration. Cultural and social informative speech topics, like the global influence of pop culture or the impact of social media, offer engaging perspectives. All informative speech topics should captivate, inform, and stir curiosity, ultimately enabling listeners to gain a greater understanding of the world.

What Is an Informative Speech Topic and Its Purpose

According to its definition, an informative speech topic is a subject or theme selected for delivering a speech that aims to educate or inform an intended audience. For example, the main purpose for selecting an informative speech topic is to enhance a target audience’s understanding of a particular theme by explaining complex ideas, providing relevant data, or offering a deeper exploration of a subject matter (Sherman, 2020). Unlike persuasive speeches, which seek to convince listeners to adopt a particular viewpoint, informative speeches focus on presenting factual information and objective insights. Further on, effective informative speech topics are clear, well-researched, and tailored to key interests and knowledge levels of audiences, ensuring they can absorb and retain the information (Grieve et al., 2021). In addition to conveying new information, diverse informative speech themes may include clarifying misconceptions, promoting a better understanding of an issue, or providing practical guidance. Moreover, these informative speech subjects play a significant role in educational settings, professional environments, and public forums by empowering listeners with a valid knowledge to make informed decisions and broaden their perspectives (Heideman & Laury, 2021). Hence, informative speech topics inform, educate, and inspire curiosity, allowing a target audience to grasp diverse themes without being influenced by personal opinions or arguments.

Informative Speech Topics & Unique Ideas

How to Choose

Choosing a good informative speech topic requires a careful consideration of crucial factors to ensure an entire subject effectively engages an intended audience and conveys valuable information. For example, students should assess an audience’s knowledge level and interests, selecting a subject that aligns with people’s needs without being too basic or overly complex (Ray et al., 2023). In principle, relevance is crucial, while common ideas should relate to current events, advancements in technology, or commonly debated issues to capture attention. Further on, students should choose informative themes that are both researchable and supported by credible sources (Palmquist & Wallraff, 2020). As such, students can provide accurate, well-founded information. Moreover, a personal interest in a subject matter is important because this enthusiasm can enhance a speaker’s delivery and make a whole content more engaging for a target audience (Descy, 2021). Basically, students should consider an educational value of their informative speech themes, focusing on informative subjects that offer new insights or promote a better understanding of important concepts. In turn, some steps for picking a good informative speech topic include:

Understand an Audience: Consider an intended audience’s knowledge level, interests, and needs to select ideas that will engage them effectively.
Choose a Relevant Topic: Focus on subjects that are timely, significant, or commonly discussed to ensure informative speech themes resonate with current events or public interest.
Ensure Researchability: Pick an informative speech topic that has ample credible sources and data available to support your content with accurate and well-founded information.
Narrow a Focus: Select a specific aspect of a broader informative subject to allow for detailed exploration within time constraints of a speech.
Consider Personal Interest: Opt for informative speech topics that genuinely interest you because your enthusiasm can improve your delivery and make a whole speech more engaging for a target audience.

Good Informative Speech Topics

Revolutionizing Medicine With 3D Printing
Understanding the Mechanism Behind Dreams
Mysteries of Dark Matter and Dark Energy
The Powerful Impact of Blockchain Technology
Climbing the Ladder: The Evolution of Video Games
Unearthing the Hidden Treasures of the Ocean
Delving Into the Science of Happiness
Biodiversity Loss: Implications for Our Planet
Exploring the Genius of Leonardo da Vinci
Grasping the Complexities of Artificial Intelligence
Impactful Women in History and Their Contributions
Journey into the Mind: Unraveling Mental Health
Effects of Climate Change on Polar Ice Caps
Advancements in the Field of Nanotechnology
Dismantling the Myths Around Vaccines
Food Security Challenges in the 21st Century
Fascinating Mysteries of the Universe Yet to be Solved
The Intricate Relationship Between Diet and Health
Encountering the Wonders of Bioluminescence
Unmasking the Reality of Cybersecurity Threats
The Legacy of Ancient Greek Philosophy
Bridging the Gap: Understanding Cultural Diversity
Pioneers in Space: The Achievements of NASA
Influential Social Movements of the 20th Century

Easy Informative Speech Topics

Decoding the Language of Body Expression
The Role of Microplastics in Environmental Pollution
Music’s Influence on Cognitive Development
Understanding Animal Behavior and Intelligence
Revealing the Magic of Magnetic Levitation
The Global Impact of Cryptocurrencies
Fossil Fuels vs. Renewable Energy: A Comparative Analysis
The History and Evolution of Comic Books
Unfolding the Story of Human Evolution
Tracing the Roots of Yoga: From Ancient Times to Modern Practice
Neuroplasticity: The Brain’s Remarkable Ability to Change
Tackling the Consequences of Deforestation
Discovering the Depth of Marine Biodiversity
Harnessing the Power of Wind Energy
The Fight Against Cancer: Modern Treatment Methods
Life on Mars: What Science Tells Us
Navigating the Complexities of Global Immigration
The Evolution and Impact of Social Media
Drones and Their Multifaceted Applications
Digging Into the History of Archaeology
Learning from Past Pandemics: Lessons and Precautions
The Sublime World of Quantum Physics
The Intertwined History of Mathematics and Astronomy
Revealing the True Impact of Fast Fashion
Analyzing the Causes of Youth Unemployment
The Influence of Classical Literature on Modern Society

Interesting Informative Speech Topics

Understanding Genetic Engineering and Its Potential
Delving Into the World of Performance Arts
The Power of Meditation and Mindfulness
Investigating the Effects of Noise Pollution
The Art and Science of Winemaking
The Fascinating Journey of Language Evolution
Advances in Electric Vehicle Technology: A Step Toward Sustainable Future
Exploring the Depths of the Mariana Trench
Immortality through Science: The Promise of Biogerontology
Dissecting the Socioeconomic Impact of Sports
Myths and Truths About Human Memory
The Role of Robotics in Modern Healthcare
The Science and Art of Coffee Brewing
Interplay of Climate Change and Global Food Production
The Stunning Architectural Wonders of Ancient Rome
Magic of Algorithms: The Backbone of Modern Computing
The Impact of Colonization on Modern Societies
Harnessing Solar Energy: Advances and Challenges
Understanding the Complex World of Tax Laws
Coral Reefs: Underwater Ecosystems at Risk
Gravitational Waves: Probing the Universe’s Violent Events
The Influence of AI on the Job Market
The Intricate Art of Origami and Its Mathematical Connections
The Marvel of Bioluminescent Organisms in the Deep Sea
Modern Architecture: Blending Aesthetics and Sustainability

Informative Speech Topics for Fun

Unraveling the Mystery of the Bermuda Triangle
Evolution of Video Games: A Walk Through History
Decoding the Art of Brewing the Perfect Coffee
The Fascinating Science Behind Dreams
The Adventurous Journey of Space Exploration
Impressive Architectural Wonders of the Ancient World
The Secret World of Animal Communication
Unlocking the Powers of Mindfulness and Meditation
Exploring the Underwater Kingdom: Marine Life and Its Wonders
Demystifying the Intriguing World of Magic Tricks
A Glimpse into the Mysterious Lives of Spies
Chocolates and Happiness: A Delicious Connection
Journey Through the Genres of Music: An Auditory Delight
The Enthralling Evolution of Animation in the Film Industry
Unearthing the Secrets of the Egyptian Pyramids
Robots and Their Influence on Future Society
The Thrilling World of Extreme Sports: Not for the Faint-Hearted
The Peculiarities and Beauty of Bioluminescent Creatures
The Influence of Comic Books on Popular Culture
Discover the Intriguing Origins of Internet Memes
The Art and Science Behind Making Perfect Sushi
Dive Into the History of the World’s Most Famous Landmarks

Academic Level Difference

Academic level differences in informative speech topics reflect varying degrees of complexity, depth, and scope required at different stages of education. At a high school level, common informative speech ideas focus on foundational subjects and general concepts, with an emphasis on clear, accessible explanations (Palmquist & Wallraff, 2020). Basically, these informative speech themes are broader and aim to introduce students to essential ideas, encouraging a basic research and comprehension. In contrast, at an undergraduate level, diverse informative speech subjects become more specialized, requiring students to explore more detailed aspects of a theme while demonstrating critical thinking skills (Descy, 2021). As such, research becomes more rigorous, and students are expected to present more sophisticated arguments supported by credible sources. At graduate and postgraduate levels, informative speech topics become highly focused and may require advanced knowledge in a specific field (Sherman, 2020). In principle, academic levels demand increasing levels of critical analysis, synthesis of information, and mastery of complex concepts. Therefore, an entire progression from general to specialized informative speech topics ensures that students develop necessary skills for academic and professional success at each stage of their education.

Informative Speech Topics for High School

Artificial Intelligence and Its Impact on Society
Climate Change: Causes, Consequences, and Solutions
The Importance of Mental Health Awareness
Renewable Energy Sources: Exploring Sustainable Options
Effective Study Techniques for College Students
Exploring the Benefits of Yoga and Meditation
Cybersecurity: Safeguarding Personal Information Online
The Role of Women in Leadership Positions
Sustainable Agriculture: Promoting Food Security
The Influence of Music on Mood and Emotions
Exploring Different Cultural Perspectives on Marriage
The Health Benefits of Regular Exercise and Fitness
The Future of Space Exploration and Colonization
Strategies for Stress Management in School Life
The Evolution and Impact of Social Networking Sites
Understanding and Addressing Food Waste in Society
Artificial Intelligence: Enhancing Healthcare Innovations
The Psychology of Persuasion: Understanding Influential Techniques
Exploring Alternative Medicine and Its Efficacy
The Role of Robotics in Manufacturing Industries
Sustainable Tourism: Preserving Natural Resources and Cultures
The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership

Informative Speech Topics for College Students

Renewable Energy Sources: Harnessing the Power of the Sun, Wind, and Water
Genetic Engineering: Advancements in Agriculture and Medicine
Artificial Intelligence: Exploring the Future of Technology
Climate Change: Understanding the Impact on Our Planet
Space Exploration: Journeying Into the Unknown
Mental Health Awareness: Breaking the Stigma and Seeking Help
Sustainable Living: Eco-Friendly Practices for a Better Future
The Importance of Voting: Exercising Your Civic Duty
Human Rights: Advocating for Equality and Justice
The Influence of Social Media: Impacts on Communication and Society
Healthy Eating Habits: Nourishing Your Body and Mind
Renewable Energy: Transitioning to a Greener World
Effects of Bullying: Building a Safe and Inclusive Community
Robotics and Automation: Transforming Industries and the Workforce
Animal Conservation: Preserving Biodiversity for Future Generations
Mental Resilience: Strategies for Coping With Life’s Challenges
The History and Impact of the Internet: Connecting the World
Financial Literacy: Managing Money and Building a Secure Future
Climate Action: Individual and Collective Efforts for a Sustainable Planet
The Significance of Cultural Diversity: Celebrating Differences
Drug Abuse Prevention: Educating for a Drug-Free Society
Gender Equality: Promoting Fairness and Empowerment

Informative Speech Topics for University

Cybersecurity: Safeguarding Digital Assets in the Modern Era
Renewable Energy: Harnessing Sustainable Power Sources
Genetic Engineering: Advancements and Ethical Considerations
Artificial Intelligence: Revolutionizing Industries and Human Lives
Climate Change: Understanding the Impact and Solutions
Space Exploration: Unveiling the Mysteries of the Universe
The Human Brain: Unlocking Its Potential and Limitations
Sustainable Agriculture: Feeding the World While Protecting the Environment
Blockchain Technology: Revolutionizing Industries and Enhancing Security
Virtual Reality: Expanding Possibilities in Entertainment and Beyond
Mental Health Awareness: Breaking Stigma and Promoting Well-Being
Autonomous Vehicles: Transforming Transportation and Road Safety
The Power of Social Media: Impact on Communication and Society
Globalization: Effects on Economics, Culture, and Politics
Robotics: Advancements and Applications in Various Industries
The Importance of Financial Literacy in the Modern World
Sustainable Fashion: Balancing Style and Environmental Responsibility
Biotechnology: Innovations and Contributions to Health and Agriculture
Green Building: Designing Sustainable Structures for a Greener Future
The History and Impact of Feminism on Society
Ocean Conservation: Preserving Marine Ecosystems and Biodiversity
The Future of Work: Automation, AI, and Job Market Trends
Food Security: Addressing Hunger and Nutrition Challenges
The Psychology of Motivation: Understanding Drivers of Human Behavior

Informative Speech Topics for Master’s and Ph.D.

Renewable Energy’s Roles in Shaping Future Power Grids
Biodiversity Loss and Its Long-Term Environmental Consequences
Cultural Heritage Preservation in a Globalized World
Virtual Reality’s Impact on Contemporary Education Techniques
Advanced Materials in Aerospace Engineering Innovations
Artificial Neural Networks and Their Influence on Modern Computing
Gene Therapy’s Potential in Treating Inherited Disorders
Impacts of Automation on Employment in Emerging Economies
Digital Ethics in the Age of Machine Learning and Data Privacy
Space Tourism: Economic and Environmental Considerations
Human Longevity and the Science Behind Age Reversal
Political Instability and Its Effects on Global Migration Patterns
Roles of Quantum Entanglement in Advancing Secure Communications
Urban Green Spaces and Their Influence on Mental Health
Global Impacts of Antibiotic Resistance on Public Health
Relationships Between Food Security and Global Population Growth
Ethical Dilemmas in the Use of Autonomous Drones in Conflict Zones
The Development of Wearable Technology in Modern Healthcare
Biodegradable Plastics and Their Roles in Reducing Environmental Waste
Advances in Biotechnology for Environmental Conservation

Presentation Informative Speech Topics

Artificial Intelligence: Revolutionizing Modern Industries
Climate Change: The Global Challenge We Must Address
Renewable Energy: Powering a Sustainable Future
Space Exploration: Unlocking the Mysteries of the Universe
Cybersecurity: Protecting Data in the Digital Age
Blockchain Technology: Transforming Business and Finance
Mental Health Awareness: Breaking the Stigma
Genetic Engineering: Advancements in Biotechnology
The Importance of Early Childhood Education
Sustainable Agriculture: Feeding the World Responsibly
The Future of Work: Automation and Job Market Trends
Alternative Medicine: Holistic Approaches to Health
Ocean Conservation: Preserving Marine Ecosystems
Robotics: Enhancing Efficiency and Productivity
The Art of Public Speaking: Effective Communication Skills
Urbanization: Challenges and Opportunities in Cities
The Power of Storytelling: Connecting People and Ideas
Financial Literacy: Building a Strong Foundation
The Science Behind Meditation and Mindfulness
Exploring Cultural Diversity: Celebrating Differences
The Evolution of Transportation: From Horse Carriages to Electric Vehicles
The Impact of Advertising on Consumer Behavior

Informative Speech Topics for Public Speaking

The Power of Positive Thinking in Achieving Personal Success
Understanding the Influence of Advertising on Consumer Behavior
Analyzing the Impact of Social Media Influencers on Youth Culture
Exploring the Science of Happiness and Well-Being
Investigating the History and Significance of Human Rights Movements
Unveiling the Mysteries of the Universe: Black Holes and Dark Matter
Examining the Effects of Climate Change on Wildlife and Biodiversity
Discovering the Benefits of Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Techniques
Evaluating the Role of Education in Empowering Individuals and Communities
Unraveling the Secrets of Effective Public Speaking and Presentation Skills
Investigating the Evolution and Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Robotics
Analyzing the Psychological Effects of Social Isolation and Loneliness
Exploring the Benefits of Meditation and Yoga for Mental and Physical Health
Understanding the Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Personal and Professional Life
Delving into the History and Influence of Ancient Civilizations
Examining the Implications of Genetic Engineering on Agriculture and Food Production
Investigating the Role of Mass Media in Shaping Political Discourse
Discovering the Health Benefits of Regular Exercise and Physical Activity
Unveiling the History and Cultural Significance of Traditional Festivals
Exploring the Impact of Technology on Work-Life Balance

Informative Speech Topics on Important Days & Events

World Environment Day: Preserving Our Planet’s Future
International Women’s Day: Celebrating Achievements and Empowering Women
World AIDS Day: Promoting Awareness and Support for Those Affected
World Mental Health Day: Breaking the Stigma and Promoting Well-Being
International Day of Peace: Building a Harmonious Global Society
World Water Day: Ensuring Access to Clean Water for All
International Day of Education: Empowering Individuals Through Learning
World Cancer Day: Spreading Awareness and Supporting Research
World Refugee Day: Understanding the Plight and Supporting Refugees
International Day of Forests: Preserving and Restoring Our Woodlands
World Humanitarian Day: Recognizing and Honoring Humanitarian Work
International Day of Happiness: Promoting Well-Being and Joy
World Food Day: Addressing Hunger and Promoting Sustainable Agriculture
World Diabetes Day: Raising Awareness and Encouraging Healthy Lifestyles
World Wildlife Day: Protecting Biodiversity and Endangered Species
World Hepatitis Day: Promoting Prevention and Treatment of Hepatitis
International Day of Families: Celebrating the Importance of Family Bonds
World Autism Awareness Day: Increasing Understanding and Acceptance
International Day of Older Persons: Honoring the Contributions and Challenges of Seniors
World Blood Donor Day: Encouraging Life-Saving Blood Donations
International Day of Democracy: Nurturing Democratic Values and Participation
World Tuberculosis Day: Combating Tuberculosis and Promoting Treatment

Science & Technology Informative Speech Topics

Augmented Reality Technology: Advantages and Challenges
Genetic Editing: The Potential for Disease Cures
Cybersecurity and Data Privacy: The Science Behind
Machine Learning in Personalized Medicine
Evolution of Smartphones and Mobile Technology
Energy Storage and Batteries: Future Innovations
Virtual Assistants and Natural Language Processing: The Science Behind
Gene Therapy: Benefits and Risks
Quantum Cryptography: Ensuring Data Security
Brain-Computer Interfaces: Advancements in Communication and Control
Innovations in Sustainable Energy: Harnessing Renewable Resources
The Role of Robotics in Healthcare and Medicine
Ethics of Gene Editing and Genetic Manipulation
Breakthroughs in Quantum Computing: Unleashing Computing Power
The Evolution of Cybersecurity: Protecting Digital Assets
Biometrics in Modern Society: Balancing Convenience and Privacy
Cloud Computing: Transforming Business Operations
The Science of Nanomaterials and Their Applications
Advancements in Virtual Reality Gaming and Entertainment
The Power of Data Analytics in Business Decision Making

Informative Speech Topics About Animals

The Evolution of Primates: A Journey Through Time
Endangered Species Conservation Efforts: Making a Difference
Incredible Adaptations: How Do Animals Survive in Extreme Environments?
The Mysterious World of Marine Life: Exploring the Depths
Animal Intelligence: Unveiling the Secrets of the Animal Mind
The Role of Bees in Pollination: Nature’s Unsung Heroes
Wildlife Trafficking: Combating Illegal Trade and Protecting Species
The Importance of Conservation: Preserving Biodiversity for Future Generations
Animal-Assisted Therapy: The Healing Power of Animals
Animal Camouflage: Nature’s Master Disguises
The Plight of Sea Turtles: Challenges and Conservation Efforts
Animal Migration: A Phenomenon of Epic Proportions
The Fascinating World of Insects: Diversity and Adaptations
Animal Agriculture: Balancing Food Production and Animal Welfare
Endangered Big Cats: Protecting Lions, Tigers, and Leopards
The Incredible Journey of Monarch Butterflies: Migration and Conservation
Animal Communication: Unlocking the Language of the Wild
The Wonders of the Great Barrier Reef: A World Heritage Site Under Threat
The Surprising Social Lives of Elephants: Complex Family Structures
The Intricate Web of Coral Reefs: Sustaining Marine Ecosystems

Informative Speech Topics for Sports

The Evolution of Basketball: From Naismith to the NBA
The Impact of Sports on Promoting Gender Equality
Sports Nutrition: Fueling Your Performance
Exploring the Science of Sports Injuries and Recovery
The History and Cultural Significance of Soccer
Mental Toughness in Sports: Strategies for Success
The Importance of Teamwork in Competitive Sports
Exploring the Psychology of Sports Fandom
The Role of Technology in Enhancing Sports Performance
Sports and Social Media: A Powerful Partnership
The Economics of Professional Sports: Money and Beyond
The Olympic Games: A Symbol of Unity and Excellence
Sports and Youth Development: Building Character and Skills
The Health Benefits of Regular Physical Activity
Sports Diplomacy: Building Bridges Through Athletics
The Rise of E-Sports: A New Frontier in Competitive Gaming
The History and Traditions of American Football
Exploring the Psychology of Winning and Losing in Sports
The Evolution of Sports Broadcasting: From Radio to Live Streaming
Sports and Ethical Dilemmas: Fair Play and Sportsmanship
The Rise of Extreme Sports: Pushing the Limits of Human Potential

Health Informative Speech Topics

The Role of Nutrition in Promoting Heart Health
Preventing Chronic Diseases Through Healthy Lifestyle Choices
Exploring Alternative Medicine: Benefits and Risks
Understanding the Effects of Stress on the Immune System
Managing and Preventing Obesity in Modern Society
Promoting Mental Wellness: Strategies for Stress Reduction
The Benefits of Regular Physical Activity for Aging Adults
Improving Digestive Health through Diet and Lifestyle Modifications
Unveiling the Truth About Popular Diets and Weight Loss Programs
Exploring the Dangers of Sedentary Lifestyles
Effects of Smoking on Respiratory Health
Understanding and Managing Food Allergies and Intolerances
Mental Health Stigma: Breaking the Silence and Seeking Support
The Importance of Regular Health Check-Ups and Screenings
Promoting Healthy Habits for Children and Adolescents
Understanding the Connection between Gut Health and the Immune System
The Impact of Technology on Sleep Quality and Sleep Disorders
Exploring the Link between Nutrition and Brain Function
The Benefits of Regular Physical Activity for Mental Health
Preventing Burnout: Strategies for Maintaining Work-Life Balance

Informative Speech Topics for Literature & History

The Impact of Shakespeare’s Tragedies on Modern Theater
The Influence of Charles Dickens on Social Reform
The Symbolism of Colors in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s “The Great Gatsby”
Analyzing the Historical Accuracy of the Arthurian Legends
The Evolution of the Hero’s Journey in Literature
Examining the Themes of War in Ernest Hemingway’s Novels
The Significance of the Harlem Renaissance in African American Literature
The Origins and Legacy of the Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer
Unraveling the Secrets of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa”
Exploring the Mythology and Folklore of Native American Tribes
The Influence of Ancient Greek Philosophy on Western Literature
Analyzing the Historical Context of Jane Austen’s Novels
The Power of Satire in Jonathan Swift’s “Gulliver’s Travels”
Investigating the Historical Events Behind William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies”
The Evolution of Gothic Literature From Horace Walpole to Edgar Allan Poe
Understanding the Political Allegories in George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”
Examining the Historical Significance of the Renaissance Period
The Influence of Greek Tragedies on Modern Drama
The Symbolism of Nature in William Wordsworth’s Romantic Poetry
The Cultural Impact of Miguel de Cervantes’ “Don Quixote”
Analyzing the Historical Accuracy of Shakespeare’s Historical Plays
The Role of Religion in Colonial American Literature

Music Informative Speech Topics

The Impact of Classical Music on Brain Development
Exploring the Influence of Hip-Hop Culture on Contemporary Society
The Rise of Electronic Dance Music and its Global Phenomenon
Unveiling the Power of Music Therapy for Mental Health
How Music Shapes Cultural Identity: A Comparative Study
Examining the Life and Legacy of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
The Role of Music in Historical Movements: Protest Songs and Social Change
The Science Behind Musical Instruments: Acoustics and Engineering
Decoding the Secrets of Film Scores: Enhancing Emotion in Cinema
The Cultural Significance of Indigenous Music Traditions
The Art of Musical Improvisation: Techniques and Styles
Exploring the World of Opera: From Aria to Libretto
The Revolutionary Sound of Rock and Roll: Icons and Innovations
The Healing Power of Rhythm: Drumming and Percussion Therapy
Impacts of Music Streaming Services on the Music Industry
The Intersection of Music and Fashion: Styles and Subcultures
Examining the Legacy of Ludwig van Beethoven: Genius and Innovation
The Psychology of Music: How Does Sound Affect Human Emotion and Behavior?
The Power of Lyrics: Poetry and Storytelling in Songwriting
Uncovering the Origins of Blues Music: African Roots and American Heritage
Music and Memory: Exploring the Relationship Between Sound and Recall

Environment Informative Speech Topics

Advancements in Renewable Energy Technologies
Protecting Endangered Species: Conservation Efforts and Success Stories
The Role of Wetlands in Ecosystem Health
Sustainable Agriculture: Methods for Preserving Soil Quality
Ocean Acidification: Threats to Marine Life
The Importance of Recycling: Reducing Waste and Environmental Impact
Climate Change and Its Effects on Global Weather Patterns
Water Scarcity: Challenges and Solutions for a Thirsty Planet
Urbanization and Its Impact on Natural Habitats
Sustainable Fishing Practices: Balancing Human Needs and Marine Ecosystems
Ecotourism: Promoting Conservation and Local Economies
Natural Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Strategies
The Significance of National Parks: Preserving Natural Beauty
Restoring Degraded Landscapes: Reforestation and Ecological Rehabilitation
The Benefits of Green Spaces in Urban Environments
Renewable Energy Sources: Exploring Solar, Wind, and Hydroelectric Power
The Effects of Pesticides on Wildlife and Ecosystems
Sustainable Transportation: Promoting Alternatives to Reduce Carbon Footprint
The Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Environmental Stewardship
Coral Reef Conservation: Protecting Biodiversity Hotspots

Informative Speech Topics on Education

Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills in the Classroom
Implementing Technology in Education: Trends and Benefits
Promoting Inclusive Education for Students With Disabilities
Addressing the Achievement Gap in Education
Effective Strategies for Classroom Management
Understanding Different Learning Styles and Tailoring Instruction
The Role of Arts Education in Developing Well-Rounded Individuals
Advantages of Bilingual Education in a Globalized World
Fostering Creativity and Innovation in Education
Exploring Project-Based Learning: Engaging Students in Real-World Applications
Teaching Financial Literacy: Preparing Students for Economic Independence
Benefits of Outdoor Education and Experiential Learning
Cultivating Emotional Intelligence in Schools
Assessing the Impact of Standardized Curriculum on Education Quality
The Role of School Counseling in Supporting Students’ Mental Health
Examining the Effects of Homework on Student Achievement
The Power of Teacher-Student Relationships in Academic Success
Promoting Gender Equality in Education: Breaking Stereotypes and Barriers
The Importance of Multicultural Education in a Diverse Society
Examining the Benefits and Challenges of Online Education

Informative Speech Topics About Society & Sociology

The Role of Gender Stereotypes in Society
Exploring the Effects of Income Inequality on Social Mobility
Analyzing the Influence of Media on Body Image Perception
Understanding the Rise of Online Activism in Modern Society
Examining the Causes and Consequences of Bullying in Schools
The Evolution of Family Structures and Its Impact on Society
Unraveling the Psychological Effects of Loneliness in the Digital Age
Investigating the Relationship between Education and Social Equality
The Power of Language: Exploring the Impact of Rhetoric on Society
Analyzing the Socioeconomic Factors Contributing to Crime Rates
The Significance of Cultural Diversity in Building Stronger Communities
Exploring the Effects of Social Class on Access to Healthcare
Understanding the Impact of Mass Incarceration on Communities
Examining the Relationship Between Religion and Society
Analyzing the Factors Contributing to Political Polarization
The Impact of Technology on Socialization and Human Interaction
Unveiling the Dynamics of Power and Authority in Societies
Investigating the Roots and Consequences of Prejudice and Discrimination
The Role of Social Movements in Promoting Social Change
Analyzing the Impact of Globalization on Cultural Identity
Understanding the Psychology of Social Conformity in Groups
Effects of Urbanization on Social Structures and Quality of Life

Business & Finance Informative Speech Topics

Global Economic Trends: Opportunities and Challenges
Sustainable Business Practices: Enhancing Profitability and Environmental Responsibility
The Rise of E-Commerce: Transforming the Retail Industry
Effective Strategies for Personal Financial Management
Entrepreneurship: Navigating Risks and Achieving Success
Mergers and Acquisitions: Examining the Impacts on Companies and the Economy
Financial Literacy: Empowering Individuals for a Secure Future
The Gig Economy: Adapting to the Changing Nature of Work
The Importance of Business Ethics in Today’s Corporate World
The Role of Central Banks in Managing Monetary Policy
Green Investments: Promoting Environmental and Financial Returns
Innovation and Disruption: Key Drivers of Business Growth
Understanding the Stock Market: Basics and Investment Strategies
The Future of Banking: Digital Transformation and Fintech Innovations
Corporate Governance: Ensuring Accountability and Transparency
The Impact of Global Trade Policies on Businesses and Economies
Financial Planning for Retirement: Building a Secure Future
Effective Marketing Strategies for Small Businesses
Women in Leadership: Breaking Barriers and Driving Change in Business
The Economics of Climate Change: Addressing Environmental Challenges Through Business Initiatives

Informative Speech Topics on Banking & Economics

The Role of Central Banks in Economic Stability
Investment Strategies for Wealth Accumulation
The Evolution of Online Banking and Its Benefits
Analyzing the Causes and Consequences of Economic Recessions
Understanding the Stock Market: Key Concepts and Terminology
Exploring the Effects of Global Trade on Local Economies
The Importance of Financial Literacy in Personal Finance
The Influence of Government Policies on Economic Growth
Exploring Cryptocurrencies: Advantages and Risks
Analyzing the Impact of Interest Rates on Borrowing and Saving
The Economic Effects of Taxation Policies
Exploring the Concept of Supply and Demand in Economics
The Rise of Fintech: Disruption and Innovation in Banking
Understanding the Role of Credit Rating Agencies in Financial Markets
Exploring the Relationship Between Unemployment and Economic Growth
The Impact of Economic Inequality on Society
Analyzing the Causes and Consequences of Stock Market Crashes
Exploring the Principles of Microeconomics and Macroeconomics
The Influence of Economic Factors on Consumer Behavior
Analyzing the Role of Banks in Financing Small Businesses

Family Informative Speech Topics

Importance of Communication Within the Family
Benefits of Shared Family Meals
Roles of Parenting Styles in Child Development
Significance of Family Traditions and Rituals
Impacts of Technology on Family Dynamics
Strategies for Resolving Family Conflicts
Effects of Divorce on Children’s Well-Being
Exploring the Concept of Unconditional Love in Families
Understanding Sibling Relationships and Their Influence
Promoting Emotional Intelligence Within the Family
Exploring Multigenerational Family Dynamics
Nurturing a Healthy and Supportive Family Environment
Challenges and Rewards of Blended Families
Exploring Cultural Diversity within Families
Impacts of Social Media on Family Relationships
Exploring the Benefits of Family Therapy
Balancing Work and Family Life
Importance of Family Bonding Activities
Strategies for Building Strong Family Connections
Exploring the Role of Extended Family in Childrearing
Understanding the Effects of Substance Abuse on Family Units

Informative Speech Topics on Politics

The Importance of Media in Political Communication
Gender Equality in Politics: Breaking Barriers and Shifting Paradigms
The Art of Diplomacy: Negotiating Peace in Conflict Zones
The Impact of Globalization on Political Structures
Political Corruption: Unveiling the Dark Side of Governance
Environmental Policies: Balancing Economic Growth and Sustainability
Populism in Politics: Understanding Its Rise and Implications
Human Rights: Striving for Equality and Justice in Political Systems
The Role of Non-Governmental Organizations in Shaping Political Agendas
Political Leadership: Characteristics and Challenges in a Changing World
The Importance of Education in Fostering Political Engagement
Immigration Policies: Balancing National Security and Humanitarianism
Technological Advancements: Transforming Political Landscapes
The Role of Lobbying in Influencing Political Decision-Making
Political Ideologies: From Conservatism to Liberalism and Beyond
Nationalism and Patriotism: Navigating the Boundaries in Politics
Political Violence: Understanding Its Causes and Consequences
The Role of Religion in Politics: Examining the Intersection
Freedom of Speech: Protecting Democracy’s Fundamental Right

Informative Speech Topics for History & Culture

The Renaissance Era: Artistic Revival and Cultural Transformation
Industrial Revolution: Societal and Economic Evolution
Ancient Civilizations: Egypt, Greece, and Mesopotamia
American Revolution: Birth of a Nation’s Independence
Harlem Renaissance: Cultural Resurgence and African-American Contributions
World War II: Global Conflict and Its Lasting Impacts
Maya Civilization: Achievements, Culture, and Ancient Mysteries
French Revolution: From Monarchy to Republic
Civil Rights Movement: Striving for Equality and Social Justice
Ancient China: Dynasties, Inventions, and Cultural Heritage
Age of Exploration: Discovery, Trade, and New Horizons
Aztec Empire: Society, Religion, and Military Power
Russian Revolution: Overthrowing the Tsar and Soviet Union’s Formation
Roaring Twenties: Jazz Age, Cultural Shifts, and Prohibition
Civil War: Divided Nation, Abolition of Slavery, and Reconstruction
Vikings: Exploration, Conquests, and Norse Culture
Cultural Revolution in China: Mao’s Socio-Political Movement
Inca Empire: Engineering Feats, Social Organization, and Andean Civilization
Holocaust: Genocide, Nazi Regime, and Lessons From History
Age of Enlightenment: Intellectual Awakening and Philosophical Ideas

Law Informative Speech Topics

Analyzing the Effects of Mandatory Sentencing Laws
Exploring the Complexities of Intellectual Property Rights
Implications of Privacy Laws in the Age of Technology
Evaluating the Role of International Law in Global Governance
Unveiling the Truth Behind Wrongful Convictions
Understanding the Dynamics of Family Law and Child Custody
Investigating the Impact of Hate Crime Legislation
The Influence of Media on Public Perception of Legal Issues
Delving Into the Controversies of Capital Punishment
Analyzing the Impacts of Immigration Laws on Society
Possible Challenges and Benefits of Alternative Dispute Resolution
Exploring the Legal Framework of Environmental Protection
Unraveling the Intricacies of Corporate Law and Ethics
The Rights and Limitations of Free Speech in the Digital Era
Examining the Intersection of Technology and Privacy Laws
The Consequences of Drug Policy on Public Health
Analyzing the Role of Criminal Profiling in Investigations
Understanding the Implications of Gun Control Laws
The Rights and Protections of Workers in Employment Law
The Challenges of Intellectual Property Theft in the Digital Age

Short Informative Speech Topics

Climate Change and Its Impact on Biodiversity
Sustainable Fashion: Reducing the Environmental Footprint
Exploring the Importance of Financial Literacy
Renewable Energy Sources and Their Advantages
Understanding the Benefits of Meditation for Mental Health
Delving into the World of Virtual Reality
The Rise of Electric Vehicles in Transportation
The Science Behind Vaccinations and Their Importance
Examining the Impact of Plastic Pollution on Marine Life
The Evolution and Advancements in Video Games
Harnessing the Power of Solar Energy for Sustainability
Emphasizing the Significance of Early Childhood Education
The Growing Trend of Remote Work and Its Implications
The Influence of Technology on Modern Communication Channels
Analyzing the Effects of Globalization on Culture and Society
Promoting Mental Health Awareness and its Importance
Embracing Sustainable Tourism for a Greener Future
Enhancing Education with the Integration of Artificial Intelligence
The Role of Nonprofits in Addressing Social Issues
Exploring the Future of Robotics and Automation
History and Significance of Human Rights
The Role of Technology in Enhancing Education
Exploring the Wonders of the Deep Sea
Benefits of Meditation for Stress Reduction

1-3 Minutes Informative Speech Topics

Exploring the Mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle
Understanding the Intricacies of Quantum Physics
Debunking Myths About the Human Brain
Unveiling the Truth about Genetically Modified Organisms
Dissecting the Impact of Climate Change on Wildlife
Analyzing the Causes and Effects of Cyberbullying
Discovering the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
Encountering the Benefits of Renewable Energy Sources
Navigating the History of the Silk Road
Appreciating the Beauty of the Fibonacci Sequence in Nature
Grasping the Concept of Blockchain and Cryptocurrency
Probing the Influence of Social Media on Youth
Observing the Evolution of Feminism Through History
Pursuing the Concept of Dark Matter in Cosmology
Revealing the Truth about Animal Testing in Cosmetics Industry
Contemplating the Impact of Meditation on Mental Health
Recognizing the Role of Microplastics in Ocean Pollution
Investigating the Science Behind Aeroponics and Hydroponics
Unraveling the Power of Vaccination in Disease Prevention
Delving into the Mysteries of Black Holes
Comprehending the Functioning of Autonomous Vehicles
Admiring the Wonders of Bio-Luminescence in Deep Sea Creatures

4-6 Minutes Informative Speech Topics

Benefits of Mindfulness for Mental Health
The Influence of Social Media on Society’s Perception of Beauty
Financial Literacy and its Importance for Young Adults
The History and Advancement of Electric Vehicles
Effects of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Functioning
The Significance of Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Future
Women’s Empowerment in Business Leadership
Psychological Benefits of Exercise and Physical Activity
Understanding Climate Change and Global Warming
The Power of Storytelling in Effective Communication
Exploring Virtual Reality and Its Various Applications
The Influence of Advertising on Consumer Decision-Making
Early Childhood Education and its Impact on Cognitive Development
The Role of Technology in Transforming Education
Effects of Social Media on Mental Well-Being
The Value of Volunteerism for Building Stronger Communities
Overcoming Addiction: The Path to Recovery and Healing
Science Behind Human Nutrition and Its Impact on Health
Emotional Intelligence: A Key to Personal and Professional Success
Harnessing Renewable Energy Sources for a Sustainable Future
The Evolution and Cultural Significance of Music
Mass Media and Its Influence on Shaping Public Opinion
Early Detection and Prevention of Chronic Diseases

7-10 Minutes Informative Speech Topics

Renewable Energy Sources: A Sustainable Future
Artificial Intelligence and Its Role in Modern Industries
Benefits of Exercise for Overall Well-Being
Exploring the Evolution of Technology in Education
Understanding Space Exploration and Its Wonders
The Significance of Cultural Diversity in a Globalized World
Exploring the History and Impact of the Civil Rights Movement
Understanding Climate Change and its Consequences
Women in Leadership Positions: Their Role and Significance
The Power of Effective Communication in Relationships
Exploring the Influence of Media on Body Image Perception
The Pros and Cons of Online Shopping
Exploring the World of Virtual Reality
The Significance of Financial Literacy in Personal Finance
Understanding the Importance of Cybersecurity in the Digital Age
Exploring the History and Significance of Human Rights Movements
The Impact of Globalization on Local Economies
Education’s Roles in Empowering Individuals and Societies
Understanding the Science Behind Climate Change
Exploring the Influence of Advertising on Consumer Behavior
The Evolution of Transportation Technology

Descy, D. E. (2021). Behind the bullet points: The surprising secrets of powerful presentations . Amazon Digital Services LLC.

Grieve, R., Woodley, J., Hunt, S. E., & McKay, A. (2021). Student fears of oral presentations and public speaking in higher education: A qualitative survey. Journal of Further and Higher Education , 45 (9), 1281–1293. https://doi.org/10.1080/0309877x.2021.1948509

Heideman, P. D., & Laury, J. E. (2021). Ultra-short presentations with immediate in-class public feedback to enhance skill development with low class time and instructor time. College Teaching , 70 (2), 196–205. https://doi.org/10.1080/87567555.2021.1913395

Palmquist, M., & Wallraff, B. (2020). Joining the conversation: A guide for writers . Macmillan Higher Education.

Ray, A. B., Torres, C., & Cao, Y. (2023). Improving informative writing in inclusive and linguistically-diverse elementary classes through self-regulated strategy development. Exceptionality , 31 (5), 319–343. https://doi.org/10.1080/09362835.2023.2174119

Sherman, C. K. (2020). The FIX strategy for informative essay writing . Write Turn.

To Learn More, Read Relevant Articles

265 Controversial Research Paper Topics & Ideas

Icon Calendar 30 May 2023
Icon Page 3100 words

430 Controversial Debate Topics & Good Ideas

Icon Calendar 29 May 2023
Icon Page 4171 words

History News Network puts current events into historical perspective. Subscribe to our newsletter for new perspectives on the ways history continues to resonate in the present. Explore our archive of thousands of original op-eds and curated stories from around the web. Join us to learn more about the past, now.

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!”

Sign Up Today

Start your 14 day free trial today

"Saving South" - with Dan Snow in association with BFI

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.

What Really Happened at Agincourt?

Gladiators Mini Series Coming to Dan Snow’s History Hit

How European Artists Shaped the Image of the Witch

Why Chillingham Is Known as Britain’s Most Haunted Castle

Jack O’Lanterns: Why Do We Carve Pumpkins for Halloween?

The Origins of Halloween: Celtic Roots, Evil Spirits and Pagan Rituals

The First Ever Documentary Feature was an Antarctic Survival Story

The Adventures of Mrs. Chippy, Shackleton’s Seafaring Cat

New 3D Images Reveal the Antarctic Wreck of Ernest Shackleton’s Ship

Frank Hurley’s Photographs of Shackleton’s Disastrous Endurance Expedition

Roaming Historical East Sussex on the 1066 Country Walk

‘By Endurance We Conquer’: Who Was Ernest Shackleton?

My Speech Class

Public Speaking Tips & Speech Topics

259 Interesting Speech Topics [Examples + Outlines]

Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.

The most asked question I get almost every day from students is this:

What makes a topic interesting?

Well, the answer is simple. You have to like it yourself, the subject has to be appropriate to the rules of the assignment, to the audience and the setting of the meeting:

In this article:

How To Find An Interesting Topic

Best interesting speech topics, interesting persuasive speech topics, interesting informative speech topics, topics with outline.

1 – Look in magazines, journals, and newspapers for events.

Can We Write Your Speech?

Get your audience blown away with help from a professional speechwriter. Free proofreading and copy-editing included.

Current or historical, that does not matter at this point, both are okay – and recent engaging and exciting facts, and perhaps valuable information that attracts the attention.

Articles about subjects that interests you and that are comfortable for you to talk about are good indications.

2 – Jot down any possible idea that comes up for interesting speech topics. I always draft a short list for myself of candidate issues if I am contracted for a public speaking engagement.

And then I skip the ones that are too difficult and too complex to prepare and master in 8 to 10 minutes time.

3 – Review some online books on the subject for more detailed current information about your topic. Or go to a library and ask for books and reference articles about your subject.

Without exception, all librarians I know will help you sorting out the speechwriter subject with their advice and recommendations. For example you choose for an alluring pleasure physical activity or farming and countryside topic.

Try to understand how the author has covered it. What’s his structure? What points, information or arguments are the strongest? What examples and illustrations has she or he used?

4 – Peerless reliable statistics and new discoveries can help writing and refining.

Look for controversies, rare and strange opinions. What do you think of it? What do you want your audience to think of it?

5 – Think about related engaging interpretive hints to talk about. When you view your rough list, try to find new points, different angles of view or just turn your thoughts upside down. Look at the special aspects that surprise the listeners.

>>> For example try these 2 more detailed summary outlines with main points and subpoints. Use my sample structure to add or otherwise wipe steps and stages you do not need.

>>> In addition to these patterns, you find more ideas for outlined main points in my Minute Section (in the navigation menu bar right on your left of this portal page). Or move straight to sixty plus lineups for speechwriters.

That can be very enlighting for enhancing public discernment. They also can see , feel, or even taste and smell what you try to explain or demonstrate in a couple of minutes.

6 – Look for supporting and also for opposing opinions, plus interesting speech topics statements. Add visual aids where you want to emphasize or to give some prominence to an unimaginable point in your interesting topic idea.

7 – Watch news shows, history documentaries and debating programs – for example, the morning shows and the evening news. They are especially helpful for developing a rough list of wheedling brainstorms.

Interesting Speech Topic Examples

Don’t have time to read our full list of 200+ topic ideas? Here is our list of 10 interesting speech topics.

Beauty is not only in the eye of the beholder
Children don’t play enough
Animal testing is necessary
Girls are too mean to each other
Men should get paternity leave
Tattoos are an addiction
If I had a year to do what I want
Butterflies: deadly creatures
How to ruin a date in the first minute
The meaning of dreams

Here is our list of top interesting persuasive speech topics.

Beauty is not only in the eye of the beholder.
Hyper active kids don’t need medication.
Books are always better than the movie.
Pick up lines do work.
Televise all court proceedings.
Suspend referees that are found to show too much bias.
There is no place for monarchs any more.
It is false that no one is above the law.
You tube needs to monitor comments.
Online friends show more compassion.
Cross cultural couples respect each other more.
Graffiti must be recognised as art.
You can loose weight without exercising.
Children don’t play enough.
Carpets are harmful and shouldn’t be in homes.
Sex education doesn’t work.
Ban smoking in all public places.
Women cheat just as much as men.
Prohibit destruction of rainforests.
Global warming is a myth.
Justice is never the same for all.
Video games are not the blame of violence at school.
Financial rewards is the only way employees stay loyal.
The world isn’t only black and white.
Give girls over 16 contraceptives without parents consent.
Calories should be included in restaurant menus.
Sugar tax won’t reduce obesity.
Pregnancy as a result of rape should be terminated.
All couples must live together before getting married.
Animal testing is necessary.
Children’s beauty pageants are wrong.
There are not enough cameras in public spaces.
Freedom of speech rights needs to be rewritten.
Random DUI test should be done on parents picking up children after school.
Atheists are more peaceful than religious people.
Heterosexual men and women can be just friends.
Adoptive parents need maternity leave too.
Print advertisements don’t work.
Click bate headlines are the cause of less followers.
Don’t give children allowances.
Stop checking in on social media.
There would be more divorces if couples didn’t have children.
Compensate organ donors.
Celebrities are not role models.
Do drug tests on welfare recipients.
Stem cell research is murder.
People should be considered adults at 21.
Religion is the cause of war.
Life was not easier a century ago.
Men are better forgivers.
Making substances illegal only makes people want them more.
Parenting classes must be compulsory.
Helicopter parents are damaging their children.
Give working moms special privileges.
Social media fame is a scam.
Make paparazzi photographing children a criminal offence.
Food should never be seen as a reward.
6 hours is not enough sleep for an adult.
People can live without eating meat.
Curfews do not keep teens out of trouble.
Electronic textbooks don’t have the same impact as the printed version.
This generation cannot fix anything.
Boredom always leads to trouble.
Girls are too mean to each other.
Affirmative action isn’t right.
School system is responsible for low test scores.
Men should get paternity leave.
Fast food needs to come with more warnings.
Killing a murderer is immoral.
Famous people must stay away from politics.
Long distance relationships do work.
Men are the stronger sex.
Jobs shouldn’t be gender specific.
Religion won’t die away.
Women shouldn’t give birth after 40.
Abortion is murder.
Tattoos are an addiction.
Drug addiction is a choice.
Social media will run it’s course and die out.
Caesarian sections are safer than normal births.
There is a connection between science and religion.
Never pay children for good grades.
People in open marriages are not happy.
The soul does exist.
People’s salaries should reflect their performances.
English will always be the business language of the world.
Why you should always put yourself first.
Earth has not been explored properly.
Women are more intelligent than they give away.
Alternatives to evolution exist.
Prisons create criminals.
Sick building syndromes exist.
Strategic defense and ethics do not match.
The War on Terror is based on a hidden agenda.
Aging is a threat to pension funding.
Airline safety restrictions won’t stop terrorists.
Alcohol advertising stimulates underage alcohol use.
All humans are spiritual in one way or another.
Arts express the level of quality in different cultures.
Atheists do care about Christmas.
Australian aboriginal tattooing is art.
Ban the filibuster from Congress.
Body piercings can cause serious complications.
Books are outdated.
Censorship is a violation of freedom of speech.
Charities must minimize the organizational and overhead costs.
Child testimonies in abuse cases are not credible.
Corporal punishment could be ethical, provided that it is proportional.
Creative expression and creativity are not the same.
Electronic baby timeshare does help to prevent teen pregnancy.
English and Spanish should be the only languages in the world.
Establishing democracy in Iraq is mission impossible.
Fashion gurus have good reasons to promote skinny girls.
Female genital mutilation is not unethical when done by cosmetic surgery doctors.
Feminism will help improve the position of females in Africa.
Fill in a country … should be condemned as human rights violator.
Future generations have to keep their jobs until they drop.
George Orwell was just right when he wrote his novel ‘1984’ … Big Brother is watching us all the time.
Governments should not own news broadcasting corporations.
Granting amnesty perpetuates immigration and makes border patrols fruitless.
Harry Potter books are more popular among elderly persons.
Hollywood movies have a bad influence on the world.
Homelessness in rural areas is substantially undercounted compared to metropolitan and suburban areas.
Hospitality is a valuable instrument to better foreign relationships.
Houses affected by natural disasters should not be rebuilt.
International satellite news broadcasting poses a threat to indigenous cultures.
It is possible to be pro-life and pro-choice.
It’s a myth that bottled water is better than tap water.
Journalism codes are no longer respected by journalists.
Limiting immigration is limiting opportunities.
Link debt relief of developing countries to carbon emission reduction.
Local aid to African communities is more effective than national aid.
Mentally disabled people cannot be executed.
Motivation courses only have one objective: to fund the instructor’s bank account.
MP3 music belongs in the free public domain for educational institutions and the general public.
News programs must be interesting rather than important.
Open source software is better than Microsoft.
Parental advisory labels hinder the freedom of speech of artists.
People have the right to decide about their own life and death.
Political correctness kills freedom of speech.
Poverty can be cut by half in this century.
Princess Diana’s death was not a tragic accident.
Public insults should be considered as hate speech and should not be protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution.
Right to work laws are useless.
Robin Hood was a not a hero.
Sex and sexuality are from different hemispheres.
Telling lies is a justifiable instrument.
The local council elections in Cuba are no elections at all.
The right to privacy is not absolute.
There is no secure protection of property rights in developing countries.
There should be cultural content quotas in broadcasting.
Tobacco and alcohol billboards litter the streets.
United Nations will never truly exist in Europe.
Vegetarians would not eat vegetables if they were born in rural Africa.
We should have a king instead of a president.
Weblogs are intellectual property and therefore must be legally protected.
With the current economic situation, we will all be working until we are old and grey.
Zero tolerance is a useful instrument to prevent violence.

Here is our list of top interesting informative speech topics.

A comparison of the official definition of terrorism in different parts of the world.
A week of monastery life.
Abu Sayyaf links to global terror organizations.
Architectural movements in the late nineteenth century.
Armed conflicts in Africa.
Artificial intelligence opportunities.
Biochemical weapons explained.
Bioethics versus human rights.
Combatting modern slavery.
Debunking weight loss myths.
Development goals of the United Nations.
Everything we can find in our Solar System.
Five ways to give and donate to charity funds.
Forms of public diplomacy.
Fraud detection systems explained.
How giant sea aquariums are constructed.
How nepotisms started in the Middle Ages.
How the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is structured.
How the American Civil War began.
How the application for immigration and naturalization works.
How the CIA can track terrorists.
How to apply Feng Shui to your bedroom.
How to outlaw reactionary conservative groups and individuals.
Is it possible to clone humans?
Major incidents and consequences in the first decade of this millennium.
Middle East roadmap for peace.
Migration trends.
Offshore installation accidents over the years.
Racism and cultural diversity in mass media.
Refugees and forced displacement.
Result on foreign aid funding in the long term.
Scientific explanations for the mysteries of the Bermuda Triangle.
State sponsored tyranny explained.
The 9/11 Commission assignment and its main conclusions.
The best consumer electronics innovations to date.
The chain of cargo and freight services at international airports.
The difference between soft and hard drugs.
The effect of counter terrorism legislation on ordinary people.
The European convention on human rights explained.
The flying fortress called Air Force One.
The four general goals of the Homeland Security Department.
The functions of Samurai warriors in Ancient Japan.
The future of fashion.
The Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners of war.
The governing system of rules during the Middle Ages.
The history of Amtrak.
The innovative and unique styling of Dodge trucks.
The long term complications of sunburn.
The philosophical doctrine of Nihilism.
The pros and cons of pacifism.
The relations between federal budget deficit, national debt and trade balance.
The role of Emperor Akihito in Japan.
The secrets of crop circles revealed.
The short history of the second man on the Moon, Buzz Aldrin.
The struggle to patent computer software.
The war costs in Iraq and Afghanistan
Two party system compared multiple party systems.
What is acne and what are its causes.
Why the NASA shuttle program was stopped.
Why the Romans built huge aqueducts in France.
Venezuela and the constitutional power crisis.
A diamond exploration certification system will not prevent conflict-diamonds trade.
Handwriting analysis and how it reveals aspects of your personality.
Hindu Cinema: not just Bollywood movies.
How many disasters always happen at Christmas time.
How sleepwalkers perform the most unusual things while asleep.
Different lifestyles of generations.
Importance of sleeping
What makes me happy
My ideal trip to Asia
What would it be like to live with a famous person?
If I were a volcano
If l could the queen
Benefits of being a vegetarian
How girls worldwide are treated differently
History of Mainamati in Bangladesh
Broccoli flavored Oreos
The Importance of public speaking
A world without boundaries
Stars and shooting stars
How I came to school for the first time
Conspiracy theories
The pros and cons of being dead
Confusing grammar
When my birthday was there
Importance of languages
How to study effectively
If I walked backwards
The power of a lie
Power of words
If I was invisible
Why I smile
Fear of the unknown
Fashion trends I hate
Why do we have toes?
Why I want to be a lawyer (or whatever job u pick)
How colours affect your mood

Need a topic for your speech about an interesting persuasion statement?

Here are some of the best speech ideas and two easy informative subjects you can alter into a firm convincing claim.

Need other attracting ideas?

Check the navbar on the left and you will find thousands of special hints and tips for your public presentation 🙂

1. Whistleblower Protection Is Not Effective

Whistleblower laws don’t protect against reprisals, disciplinary measures and spin from superiors.
Huge companies have enough money to buy legal advice for a long period, laws offer employees no financial shield.
Legislation often doesn’t address the issue itself, the problem, the allegations often are not investigated.

Another topic for your speech on business could be on fair trade:

2. Is Fair Trade Really Fair?

Protectionism and markets are often stronger than fair trade appointments.
Buying products is subsidizing poor farmers and manufacturers in developing countries. It isn’t helping them to make them stronger.
It is anti-competitive and it undermines the economy in Third World nations.

And what do you think of this explosive persuasive topic for your speech?

3. Nuclear Power Is Dangerous Stuff

An accident could cause thousands of fatalities and for billions of dollars property damage.
There is no proper technology to handle radioactive waste material.
Health risks for people working in the plant and for those who are living nearby could not be foreseen in advance and certainly not at the long term.
Costs of nuclear plant safety measurements are very high.

And now two informative suggestions for a topic for your speech. But you easily transform them into some of the best speech ideas for persuasion speeches:

4. Checklist Before Taking A New Job

A bigger company means more interesting job and task opportunities.
It makes it possible to extend your existing network of trusted contacts.
Like to travel abroad? Is it a Yes or No?
How about the probability that you will keep your job – in other words what about the job security? What are the hidden clues?
Is there a chance you can make you professional dreams and personal goals come true?
How about the pay? Get all salary information, and decide on how much you want to earn from the start.
Are there other requirements? Some personal wishes you would like to fulfill?

5. The Advantages Of Working In The Night

No disturbing by telephone.
No traffic jam.
Not being awakened by the alarm clock in early morning hours …

You can think about the disadvantages too … Approach this subject from different sides and you double your opportunities!

89 Medical Speech Topic Ideas [Persuasive, Informative, Nursing]

292 Sports Speech Topics [Persuasive, Informative]

10 thoughts on “259 Interesting Speech Topics [Examples + Outlines]”

Are you in the Now?

Renewable energy pros and cons.

I want to learn the most detailed writing. Am a New student and i need to improve my own My subject is an informative one : Ivorians women teaching in Abidjan universites.

I need more topics to choose from for my oral presentation

Hello, I’d appreciate it if you’d stop perpetuating falseties about global warming and climate change. They are very much real, and putting them on a list like this only further pushes the myth that they are false. These topics are not up for debate.

Some of these are really creative.

#184 made me laugh. As someone who grew up with Harry Potter, perhaps students these days will consider me an older person ha.

Regards, Chris

thaaaank you very much this is help me a lot

Thanks for the ideas!

A lot of these “creative” topics are not only offensive but help push distructive rhetoric.

this helped me out so much.was just sitting there lost about what to speak at the academic decathlon.thanks

I accept the Privacy Policy

Reach out to us for sponsorship opportunities

Vivamus integer non suscipit taciti mus etiam at primis tempor sagittis euismod libero facilisi.

IMAGES

16 Famous Speeches That Shaped The History Of The World
History's Greatest Speeches
16 Famous Speeches In History
Top 16 Famous Speeches by the Famous Personalities
Greatest Speeches in the History
The Greatest Speech in History

VIDEO

Motivational Speech #youtubeshort
The Winner's Academy Student best speech presentation Mr Junaid
SPEECH ON DRUG ABUSE AMONG STUDENTS
Top 10 Famous Speeches in History #shorts #speech
9AS Types of Speech, Selecting Topics, Purposes and Central Ideas, Academic Speaking
Best Speech Topics

COMMENTS

120 History Speech Topics [and Cultural Artifact Speech]
Information speech topics about working out history topics for verbal or essay writing. Historical figures, events, periods and movements, and timelines are very good sources for authentic talks. Most informative public speaking speech examples aren’t easy to move to your speech class.
50+ Captivating History Topics for Speech and Presentation
Study the lives of famous historical figures. e.g. Abraham Lincoln, Cleopatra, or Leonardo da Vinci. Understand their impact and the context of their time. Feel free to choose any of these topics for your informative speech, and remember to engage your audience with captivating visuals or anecdotes.
Cool History Topics: 151 Great Historical Events & Ideas
Looking for interesting history topics and events to learn and write about? 🤔 Need an idea for historical research? Then check our cool history topics!
200 Interesting Historical Events to Write About [New Tips]
Abraham Lincoln against slavery as one of the most interesting history informative speech topics. History’s definition and concept. The Great War’s history.
The 15 Most Inspiring Presidential Speeches in American History
Over the centuries, millions upon millions of words have been used by U.S. presidents to motivate, caution, reassure, and guide the American people. Join HeinOnline in rediscovering some of the greatest presidential speeches in American history.
40 Most Famous Speeches In History | HighSpark
We’ve chosen 40 of the most impactful speeches we managed to find from agents of change all over the world - a diversity of political campaigns, genders, positionalities and periods of history.
650 Informative Speech Topics & Unique Ideas – Wr1ter
28 min read. Informative speech topics cover diverse subjects meant to educate the audience by providing relevant data and unique insights. They can range from scientific informative themes to historical subjects.
These 11 Speeches from the Last Two ... - History News Network
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 ...
6 of the Most Important Speeches in History
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?
259 Interesting Speech Topics [Examples + Outlines]
Last Updated: August 5, 2022. Written By Jim Peterson. Jim Peterson has over 20 years experience on speech writing. He wrote over 300 free speech topic ideas and how-to guides for any kind of public speaking and speech writing assignments at My Speech Class.