famous speeches 21st century uk

• US election 2024
• US Politics
• UK Politics
• News Videos
• Rugby Union
• Sports Videos
• Photography
• Theatre & Dance
• Culture Videos
• Food & Drink
• Health & Families
• Royal Family
• Electric Vehicles
• Lifestyle Videos
• News & Advice
• Simon Calder
• Inspiration
• City Guides
• Sustainable Travel
• Politics Explained
• News Analysis
• Home & Garden
• Fashion & Beauty
• Travel & Outdoors
• Sports & Fitness
• Sustainable Living
• Climate Videos
• Electric vehicles
• Behind The Headlines
• On The Ground
• Decomplicated
• You Ask The Questions
• Binge Watch
• Travel Smart
• Watch on your TV
• Crosswords & Puzzles
• Most Commented
• Newsletters
• Ask Me Anything
• Virtual Events

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

The Top 10 best known paragraphs of British political speeches since the war

The most famous whole passages of persuasive argument since 1945.

Article bookmarked

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox

Get our free view from westminster email.

This list started when Sam Freedman asked: “What is the best known paragraph of a UK political speech from the last 40 years?” We agreed it was Neil Kinnock’s (No 6), and I extended the qualifying period to 1945. In the old days, before The Independent went digital-only in 2016, and before Twitter increased its character limit the following year, Top 10s usually consisted of items no longer than 140 characters. But now there are no limits, so I asked for whole paragraphs, making an argument, not just pithy sentences.

1. Winston Churchill , Conservative leader, University of Zurich, 1946. “Yet all the while there is a remedy which, if it were generally and spontaneously adopted by the great majority of people in many lands, would as by a miracle transform the whole scene and would in a few years make all Europe, or the greater part of it, as free and happy as Switzerland is today. What is this sovereign remedy? It is to recreate the European family, or as much of it as we can, and to provide it with a structure under which it can dwell in peace, safety and freedom. We must build a kind of United States of Europe . In this way only will hundreds of millions of toilers be able to regain the simple joys and hopes which make life worth living. The process is simple. All that is needed is the resolve of hundreds of millions of men and women to do right instead of wrong and to gain as their reward blessing instead of cursing.” Nominated by Paul T Horgan.

2. Harold Macmillan , prime minister, Cape Town, 1960. “In the twentieth century, and especially since the end of the war, the processes which gave birth to the nation states of Europe have been repeated all over the world. We have seen the awakening of national consciousness in peoples who have for centuries lived in dependence upon some other power. Fifteen years ago this movement spread through Asia. Many countries there of different races and civilisations pressed their claim to an independent national life. Today the same thing is happening in Africa, and the most striking of all the impressions I have formed since I left London a month ago is of the strength of this African national consciousness. In different places it takes different forms, but it is happening everywhere. The wind of change is blowing through this continent, and, whether we like it or not, this growth of national consciousness is a political fact. We must all accept it as a fact, and our national policies must take account of it.” Thanks to Ryan Flack.

3. Hugh Gaitskell , Labour leader, Brighton, 1962. “If you are going to have a democratic Europe, if you are going to control the running of Europe democratically, you’ve got to move towards some form of federalism and if anyone says different to that they’re really misleading the public. That’s one in the eye for Mr Bonham Carter [Mark, Liberal former MP who denied his party advocated federalism]. Now we must be clear about this, it does mean, if this is the idea, the end of Britain as an independent nation-state. I make no apology for repeating it, the end of a thousand years of history . You may say: ‘All right, let it end.’ But, my goodness, it’s a decision that needs a little care and thought. And it does mean the end of the Commonwealth; how can one really seriously suppose that if the mother country, the centre of the Commonwealth, is a province of Europe, which is what federation means, it could continue to exist as the mother country of a series of independent nations; it is sheer nonsense.” Another from Ryan Flack.

4. James Callaghan , prime minister, Blackpool, 1976. “We used to think that you could spend your way out of a recession, and increase employ­ment by cutting taxes and boosting government spending. I tell you in all candour that that option no longer exists, and that in so far as it ever did exist, it only worked on each occasion since the war by injecting a bigger dose of infla­tion into the economy, followed by a higher level of unemployment as the next step. Higher inflation followed by higher unemployment. We have just escaped from the highest rate of inflation this country has known; we have not yet escaped from the consequences: high unemployment.”

5. Michael Foot , Labour employment spokesperson and candidate for party leadership, House of Commons, 1980. “In my youth, quite a time ago, when I lived in Plymouth, every Saturday night I used to go to the Palace theatre. My favourite act was a magician-conjuror who used to have sitting at the back of the audience a man dressed as a prominent alderman. The magician-conjuror used to say that he wanted a beautiful watch from a member of the audience. He would go up to the alderman and eventually take from him a marvellous gold watch. He would bring it back to the stage, enfold it in a beautiful red handkerchief, place it on the table in front of us, take out his mallet, hit the watch and smash it to smithereens. Then on his countenance would come exactly the puzzled look of the secretary of state for industry [Keith Joseph]. He would step to the front of the stage and say: ‘I am very sorry. I have forgotten the rest of the trick.’ That is the situation of the government. They have forgotten the rest of the trick . It does not work.” Thanks to Jonathan Allan.

6. Neil Kinnock , Labour leader, Bournemouth, 1985. “I’ll tell you what happens with impossible promises. You start with far-fetched resolutions. They are then pickled into a rigid dogma, a code, and you go through the years sticking to that, outdated, misplaced, irrelevant to the real needs, and you end in the grotesque chaos of a Labour council – a Labour council – hiring taxis to scuttle round a city handing out redundancy notices to its own workers. I am telling you, no matter how entertaining, how fulfilling to short-term egos – I’ll tell you, and you’ll listen. I’m telling you: you can’t play politics with people’s jobs and with people’s services or with their homes.”

7. Margaret Thatcher , prime minister, House of Commons, 1990. “Leon Brittan is a loyal member of the Commission. Yes, the Commission wants to increase its powers. Yes, it is a non-elected body and I do not want the Commission to increase its powers at the expense of the House, so of course we differ. The president of the Commission, Mr Delors, said at a press conference the other day that he wanted the European parliament to be the democratic body of the Community, he wanted the commission to be the executive and he wanted the council of ministers to be the senate. No. No. No .” Thanks to Martin Koder.

8. Geoffrey Howe , resigning as deputy prime minister, House of Commons, 1990. “The conflict of loyalty, of loyalty to my right hon friend the prime minister – and, after all, in two decades together that instinct of loyalty is still very real – and of loyalty to what I perceive to be the true interests of the nation, has become all too great. I no longer believe it possible to resolve that conflict from within this government. That is why I have resigned. In doing so, I have done what I believe to be right for my party and my country. The time has come for others to consider their own response to the tragic conflict of loyalties with which I have myself wrestled for perhaps too long .” Nominated by Declan Ryan and Clifford Williamson.

9. Tony Blair , prime minister, House of Commons, 2007. “Some may belittle politics but we know it is where people stand tall. And although I know it has its many harsh contentions, it is still the arena which sets the heart beating fast. It may sometimes be a place of low skullduggery but it is more often a place for more noble causes. I wish everyone, friend or foe, well and that is that, the end .” Thanks to Ben Ullmann.

10. Theresa May , prime minister, Downing Street, 2016. “If you’re from an ordinary working class family, life is much harder than many people in Westminster realise. You have a job but you don’t always have job security. You have your own home, but you worry about paying a mortgage. You can just about manage but you worry about the cost of living and getting your kids into a good school. If you’re one of those families, if you’re just managing, I want to address you directly. I know you’re working around the clock, I know you’re doing your best, and I know that sometimes life can be a struggle. The government I lead will be driven not by the interests of the privileged few, but by yours.”

Neil Kinnock can’t have two entries, because otherwise he would feature again with “I warn you not to get old” in 1983, nominated by Declan Ryan and Alan Paxton.

Next week: Business jargon taxonomies, such as buckets, pillars, strands, rafts and planks.

Coming soon: Cheery utopias, such as Narnia (after the defeat of the White Witch), Redwall Abbey, the Shire and the Culture.

Your suggestions please, and ideas for future Top 10s, to me on Twitter, or by email to top10 @independent.co.uk

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

55 Speeches by Influential People of the 21st Century

From Sir Ken Robinson to Steve Jobs

Revealing the World's Most Famous Speeches

Discover the world's most popular speeches from the 21st century. find out how our linguist experts ranked and revealed the secrets behind a good speech..

Speeches can unite the world, there’s no doubt about it. Be they delivered by activists, educators, a political leader, or the world’s best entertainers—one clear message by an individual has the power to connect so many.

Here at Babbel, we know a thing or two about how words and language can connect people. And that’s why we’ve set out to discover the most popular speeches shaping the world we live in today and take a look at what exactly makes a good speech.

With the help of our expert linguists, we'll discover the most popular speeches given by modern-day legends. Finding out why these speeches resonate with so many, our linguists reveal the secret of delivering a memorable speech.

So, how did we rank the famous speeches?

Looking at the world’s most famous modern-day speeches, we gathered YouTube views, TedTalk views and search data to understand which speeches are truly the most popular.

Comparing speeches across the topics of activism, business, creativity, language learning, LGBT+, Oscars, parenting, and politics, we were able to compare the figures to give an average score. You can see our full findings here .

Top 10 most famous speeches of the 21st century

We looked at some of the most viewed and searched speeches in recent history—be they short or long—to figure out which ones are the most popular.

Looking at YouTube and TedTalk views alongside search volume data, we were able to compile a list of the most popular speeches. How many of the world’s most famous speeches have you watched or listened to?

Were there any surprises? Interestingly, Simon Sinek appears twice on the list—a public speaker whose delivery and messages clearly resonate with many.

While you might not be surprised to see Hollywood star Leonardo Di Caprio at the top of the list, the reason he’s at the top may surprise you—if you didn’t already know, he’s super into environmentalism.

Using his platform at the Oscars to shine a light on global warming, an issue which affects us all, his speech left us with an unforgettable, and now famous, quote: “Climate change… is the most urgent threat facing our entire species… let us not take this planet for granted—I do not take tonight for granted.”

Our linguistic expert tells us why Leonardo Di Caprio’s speech resonated with so many of us and why it finds itself positioned as the most popular speech in recent years.

Taylor Hermerding (she/her), Editor in Didactics at Babbel, said:

"What Leo does really cleverly is link his award win, which was for his blockbuster hit, The Revenant, to the topic of climate change. He explains that the film is all about “man’s relationship to the natural world” and that during the time of its making - in 2015 - it was the hottest year on record. The film crew actually had to travel to the most southerly tip of the planet just to find snow to film in. Leo’s use of impactful language and intonation, in addition to his quick and controlled speech, allows him to deliver all of his points both purposefully and with a sense of urgency. It’s hard not to be moved by his words and jump on board with his climate change message. This speech was viewed by 43 million viewers (and counting)."

Top 10 speeches on learning a language

Of course, we also looked at the most popular speeches on learning a language. By speaking another language, we open ourselves up to learning about new cultures and understanding others.

While we know how rewarding learning a new language is, we all still need motivation to get there. So, who are the thought leaders inspiring us to learn a new language?

Looking at the most popular speeches for learning a language, we noticed search interest was relatively low and excluded that metric from the evaluation. However, the views speak for themselves. The YouTube views on some videos are so popular that it ranks top spot!

Revealing the secrets behind a good speech

So we now know what the most popular speeches from the 21st century are, but what topics grab the most attention? And who delivered them?

From our findings of ranked famous speeches we found out:

The professions with the most viewed speeches are writers, artists and poets

The great creatives of the world—our writers, artists and poets—deliver the most popular speeches.

The USA has the most watched speeches

Thought leaders in business, culture and politics—speakers from the USA take the trophy for the most popular public speakers in the English language.

Speeches related to the topic of business are the most popular

Our work day isn’t over at 5pm—it seems we love to think about how to improve our business and be the best at what we do, no matter the time of day.

Female public speakers are listened to the most often

The world is listening to famous speeches by women most often, as compared to their male and nonbinary counterparts.

With the scores now on the doors, were there any surprises? Did you expect an Oscars speech to be the most watched speech in recent history?

The truth is that famous speeches start a conversation, or contribute to one, and allow us to connect with each other and potentially even change the world.

Your checklist to deliver a memorable speech

The world’s most popular speeches give us insight into what messages resonate, and crucially how those messages are delivered. But how could you deliver a memorable speech of your own?

Our expert linguists reveal the speech techniques and strategies used, and which you could try when writing and delivering your next speech.

Embrace emotion - The most powerful speeches are delivered from the heart. Take Matthew McConaughey’s 2014 Oscar acceptance speech, where he is seen to be overcome with emotion, with visibly watery eyes. Don’t be afraid to tear up a bit if the occasion calls for it, like a best friend’s wedding speech for example—it’s a great way to show someone you love them.

Tell a story - Take the audience on a journey with you, telling the story as naturally as possible.The story can be personal, but it doesn’t need to be. It should, however, be engaging and clear.

Slow down your speech - Barack Obama is a great example of a speaker who slows his speech, allowing space and time for the audience to follow the speech and absorb the message. If you’re nervous, it’s natural to want to speed up your speech, but as the old saying goes—practice makes perfect. Rehearse at home and practice by timing or recording yourself.

Use research - Depending on what your speech is about, of course, another important factor of public speaking is researching well and presenting original thought.

Keep it simple - in an age of diminishing concentration , speeches which are delivered clearly help the audience to stay engaged. To stay on track, consider what the one message you want your audience to take away actually is.

Babbel means more...

Why We Use Fillers When We Speak

You should say what’s on your mind. But sometimes you’ve got to stop and find it first.

11 US Presidents Who Spoke Another Language

A comprehensive list of American presidents who could speak other languages.

What Are The Parts Of Speech?

It’s time for a refresher on the difference between adjectives and adverbs.

Leo’s use of impactful language and intonation, in addition to his quick and controlled speech

Taylor Hermerding (she/her), Editor in Didactics at Babbel

Leo also uses body language and hand movements to deliver his most prominent points, which become more exaggerated as he talks passionately about the threat facing our “entire species”. This, plus again the fast pace at which he delivers his speech, captures the audience’s attention. His choice of vocabulary is also notedly elevated and emotional, with phrases like ‘politics of greed’ and “Let us not take the world for granted, I do not take this night for granted” which resonated hugely with his Hollywood co-stars and viewers worldwide. DiCaprio also inserts short breaths into his sentences when stopping to thank certain people, or to levy emphasis in places, in this holy grail of unforgettable speeches.

Which language do you want to learn?

Choose a course.

• Learn French
• Learn Spanish
• Learn German
• Learn Italian
• Learn Turkish
• Learn Norwegian
• Learn Dutch
• Learn Russian
• Learn Danish
• Learn Portuguese
• Learn Polish
• Learn Indonesian
• Learn Swedish

Explore our languages

• Babbel App Review
• How to speak Spanish
• How to speak French
• Discriminatory language
• How will the next generation talk?
• Be proud of your accent
• How people speak?

Discover all Babbel products

• Babbel Live
• Babbel Podcasts
• Babbel for Business
• Babbel For Students
• Babbel as a Gift
• Babbel Magazine
• Inside Babbel
• Refer a Friend

About Babbel

• The Babbel Method
• Customer Service
• Affiliate platform
• Partnerships

• Biographical

Consult Chambers 21st Century Dictionary, The Chambers Thesaurus (1996) or Chambers Biographical Dictionary (1997 edition with amendments). Enter your search and choose your title from the drop-down menu.

A wildcard is a special character you can use to replace one or more characters in a word. There are two types of wildcard. The first is a question mark ?, which matches a single character. The second is an asterisk *, which matches zero or more characters. The two kinds of wildcard can be mixed in a single search.

View More Search Tips

50 Speeches That Made the Modern World

A celebration of the most influential and thought-provoking speeches that have shaped the world we live in. With comprehensive, chronological coverage of speeches from the 20th and 21st centuries, taken from all corners of the globe, entries all feature photo headshots of the speakers plus an introduction explaining the background behind every speech and biographical details of each of the speakers as well as analysis of each speech throughout including buzzwords, memorable phrases and marginal notes.

A collection of 50 of the most significant speeches from around the globe that demonstrably changed the modern world and analysis into the impact they had.

Throughout history, great speeches have produced great change. From inciting violence and asserting control to restoring peace and securing freedom, nothing has the raw emotional power of a speech delivered at the right moment, in the right place, with the right content, and the right delivery.

50 Speeches That Made The Modern World is a celebration of the most influential and thought-provoking speeches that have shaped the world we live in. With comprehensive, chronological coverage of speeches from the 20th and 21st centuries, taken from all corners of the globe, it covers Emmeline Pankhurst’s patiently reasoned condemnation of men’s failure to improve ordinary women’s lives in 1908 through speeches by Vladimir Lenin, Mahatma Gandhi, David Ben-Gurion, Albert Einstein, Fidel Castro, Nikita Khrushchev, Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela, Benazir Bhutto, Osama Bin Laden and Aung San Suu Kyi, right up to the most compelling oratory surrounding the 2016 US Presidential elections.

Through the rallying propaganda speeches during World War II to the cautious rhetoric of the Cold War period, through challenging the status quo on issues of race, gender and politics to public addresses to the masses on the issues of AIDS and terrorism, through apologies, complaints, warmongering, scaremongering and passionate pleas, this book delivers the most important speeches of the modern era and why they still remain so significant.

Speeches are printed in full and chronologically arranged in a smart, open design. Featuring photo headshots of the speakers, each speech has an introduction explaining the background behind every speech and biographical details of each of the speakers as well as analysis of each speech throughout including buzzwords, memorable phrases and marginal notes.

Chambers Word Lovers

Join the Chambers email newsletter

The regular update for word lovers.

Praise for The Chambers Dictionary

“To look up a word in Chambers is to be able to unpack its meaning and also to marvel at its compactness . . . . Chambers is an open door to words at their wittiest, most rooted, most revealing, and most powerful” - Ali Smith

“This fossicking for undiscovered jewels is, of course, one of the chief pleasures of a dictionary . . . A page a day keeps the doddypolls at bay” - Jeremy Paxman

“It is good to see that the latest edition of Chambers Dictionary has lost none of its wit” - Mark Sanderson

• Australia edition
• International edition
• Europe edition

Greatest speeches in parliament of the past 100 years

W hat were the greatest parliamentary speeches of the past 100 years? Lloyd George battling for the People's Budget of 1909? Churchill defiant in 1940? Nye Bevan championing his blueprint for the NHS? Geoffrey Howe 's unexpectedly lethal dispatch of Margaret Thatcher in his resignation speech – in a deadly bit of jargon, his "personal statement" – on 13 November 1990?

It's a game anyone who is politically minded can play and Hansard – which is celebrating its centenary as the in-house (as distinct from 19th century-contracted-out) official report – has been doing just that to mark the occasion.

It's full of events and speeches you remember, vaguely or because you watched them on TV. Most involve war and peace, economic crisis, basic liberties or divisive social issues.

But there are also great issues which are now in cobwebs and less famous names forgotten. Who now recalls that Labour's first leader, Keir Hardie , made a moving, prescient speech against denying the vote to black South Africans when the country got its post-Boer war independence in 1909?

And what does the once-celebrated name ED Morel mean today? He was the Liverpool shipping clerk who led the brilliant campaign against the enslavement of the Congo by Leopold, King of the Belgians (Sir Roger Casement was Morel's doomed ally). Morel became a pacifist, later a Labour MP, albeit too much of a troublemaker to achieve office under Ramsay MacDonald.

The volume contains Morel's heartfelt Commons maiden speech in 1922, warning against the punitive reparations imposed on beaten Germany. It is poignant, but so is Sir Edward Grey 's report to MPs on the plunge into war in August 1914.

The links in this article all come from Hansard 's still not completed archive, a treasure that I knew was there, but had not previously dipped into. I shall be back.

Hansard asked 46 distinguished figures, mostly living peers and MPs, plus a few officials and observers, to choose their favourite from 1909 to 2009. It has now published the results in a £25 volume the size of an old-fashioned telephone directory.

Gordon Brown picked Edward Heath 's "forensic" destruction of the Tory case for restoring hanging in 1981, David Cameron his own distant relative Duff Cooper 's anti-appeasement speech on resigning from the Chamberlain government in 1938. Another of those deadly "personal statements" that litter the grey pages of Hansard.

Nick Clegg opted for the pro-Europe speech of his then-party leader, the later disgraced Jeremy Thorpe , in May 1967 – after de Gaulle's veto on British membership. Mischievous and far-sighted, Clegg calls it.

"A speech for the ages," Brown says of Heath on hanging, the then-new Labour MP attracted to it as an ethical issue. Not all the speeches are immediately obvious in the Hansard format; for anyone interested, Heath spoke at 4.45pm.

Each contributor gets a page to explain their choice.

All the speeches I mentioned above were picked, though the charm lies in the detail. For instance, no less than four senior Tories picked the Howe speech – Ken Clarke, Michael Heseltine and John Major, its chief beneficiary.

So did Nigel Lawson, who was told that three was enough and asked to pick another. So he perversely chose Neil Kinnock 's disappointing speech on the Westland row of 1986, which nearly toppled Thatcher, but didn't, thanks to the Labour leader's misjudged contribution.

It was Kinnock who chose his hero Bevan's speech, moving the second reading of the NHS bill on 30 April 1946 . Tony Benn also selected a Bevan legend: the speech Nye made on resigning from the government over NHS charges and military spending on the Korean war in April 1951 . It is a pretty good speech, but also the death knell of the 1945 Labour government. Lessons there still for both pragmatists and purists.

Less predictably, Bevan's scornful speech on Anglo-French deception during the Suez crisis of 1956 was picked by the late Jim Callaghan, no Bevanite he. And the late former Tory cabinet minister and Fleet Street editor William ("Dear Bill") Deedes also selected a Bevan speech, this time closing a defence debate in February 1951 .

Here we catch the minister of labour, backbench scourge of Churchill during the second world war, boldly crossing swords on defence matters with the ex-and-future premier – the miner v the aristocrat – and warning against excessive rearmament, the issue over which he would shortly resign. Do not fear the Soviets too much when they produce 25m tons of steel a year and the west can manage 140m tons, he said.

That is a pretty impressive basic argument which Bevan (no softie on the Russians) often used against cold war excesses. It is striking how well speeches in this volume stand up when they are rooted in firm principle, not transient fashion, and marry principle with practical politics.

By my imperfect maths Bevan wins the non-contest for most selections with four entries to Churchill's three. Roy Hattersley picks Lloyd George's four-and-a-half hour 1909 budget speech – one of the century's great dramas – and Elfyn Llwyd, the Plaid Cymru leader, Lloyd George's 1911 speech introducing national insurance – a godsend for millions.

The trio of LG, Churchill and Bevan – one from each main party – were, by general consent, I think, the most important parliamentary orators of the century, their words and weight combined.

But due recognition is given to others. Michael Foot's Falklands war speech of April 3 1982 was picked by ex-MP Robert Kilroy-Silk, who recalls being keen at the time that the Labour leader leader, speaking immediately after the humiliated Margaret Thatcher, should back the reconquest in the name of freedom and international law.

That was how they saw it. Time sometimes changes perspectives on these events.

Foot's defiant performance, winding up a debate he knew would be lost, as Labour fell on a confidence vote in 1979 (the first such defeat since 1841) was picked by Ian Paisley. "The greatest speeches do not always end in the greatest victories," the Ulsterman notes.

Enoch Powell , Foot's friend and rival in eloquence, is cited for his speech proposing a law against embryo research by Ann Widdecombe; but also by Denis Healey, no less, for the powerful ("worthy of Demosthenes") attack Powell made in 1959 against covered-up British imperial brutality at the Hola camp in Kenya during the Mau Mau emergency .

He was speaking at 1.15am in company with a bunch of lefties, "far from being the racist bigot" he was later labelled, Lord Healey dryly notes.

Geoffrey Howe himself chooses Harold Macmillan's 1961 declaration of intent to join the future EU , the issue on which he broke a Tory prime minister 29 years later. But Mrs T's first chancellor gets a second selection for his 1981 budget speech – the crucial turning point for Thatcherite economics. The Sun's Trevor Kavanagh, who picked it, is more confident than I am in 2009 that they got it all right.

Robin Cook's resignation speech over the government's decision to go to war with Iraq in 2003 is picked by Shirley Williams ("an extraordinary prophecy," she calls it), as is his forensic dissection of the 1996 Scott report on covert arms UK sales to Iraq in the 1980s, picked by the Speaker, Michael Martin, no less.

Barbara Castle , another powerful voice in a small frame (another redhead too), is selected by Patricia Hewitt for her second reading speech on the equal pay bill in 1970. Few women feature in this volume, but Margaret Thatcher 's magnificent last speech as PM is rightly picked as memorable by both Norman Tebbit and the BBC's dancing pundit John Sergeant. It was Labour's revenge for 1979 and much else – but it did not feel like that on the day.

I was present on that occasion, as on many others in this engrossing volume. Its lack of a decent index is maddening, but I am unexpectedly fascinated by it – and by the choices made.

What would I have made if asked? Probably one of the above, though it would have been better to have dug up a lost gem.

David Blunkett selected the incisive contribution of Oswald Mosley – yes, that Sir Oswald – to the economic crisis in 1930, before he went off the political rails. Lloyd George spoke next, followed by several ex-current-and future PMs. Those were the days!

Alastair Campbell has offered up the late John Smith , always a witty, lawyerly speaker, in an economic attack on John Major's government in 1993, a year before his death. Dennis Skinner has picked one of his own speeches, a brilliant Friday morning filibuster designed to thwart opponents of stem cell research by talking for hours about a byelection writ. It was an important tactical manoeuvre at the time, now forgotten (and probably banned by "modernisation" reforms), so we forgive him the egocentricity.

There is melancholy as well as glory in these dusty digital pages, heroism and intrigue buried among the routine questions about sewage, country bypasses, colonies and war. The past, the issues and the orators, seems larger than the present.

It need not be; it may not be again. But no one currently operating in the Commons makes the cut; none of them probably made the longlist either. Alas, the comparisons are not comforting. Weighty debates today are few. The Commons chamber is not what it was.

Official Report, Centenary Volume 1909-2009, Great Speeches from 100 Years, edited by Ian Church. The Stationary Office, £25.

Contents may be reproduced under click-use licence from the Office of Public Sector Information .

• House of Commons
• Politics past

History's Most Influential Speeches

‘The power of the word is mightier than the sword.’ That may not be the precise saying, but in these cases it is very much true. Here are the speeches that have had a huge impact on the world, long after they were given. Some will be very well-known to most people, and others, while less known, have helped to shape the world as we know it today. Here are some of the speeches that changed the world’s history. Did you know you can now travel with Culture Trip? Book now and join one of our premium small-group tours to discover the world like never before.

Abolition speech, william wilberforce.

Never take the freedom that you have for granted. The slave trade is a black mark on Western history, and it can come as somewhat of a shock that it wasn’t until the early 19th century that slavery was abolished in Britain . In a speech to the British Parliament in May 1789, William Wilberforce gave an impassioned account on why the trade needed to cease and was morally reprehensible. His calls fell largely on deaf ears for several decades, but the Slave Trade Act was finally passed in 1807. Wilberforce believed that it was a call from God for him to become an abolitionist, and thankfully this belief gave him the resolve to continue to fight for his cause.

‘Freedom or Death’, Emmeline Pankhurst

As Suffragette has just been released in theatres, it only seems appropriate to include Emmeline Pankhurst ‘s ‘Freedom or Death’ speech in our list (and it happens to follow quite nicely from our previous speech on freedom). The speech was delivered in Hartford, Connecticut in 1913 as part of Pankhurst’s tour of the US. It was an impassioned statement on the importance of women’s suffrage, and her strong declaration that the suffragettes would fight to the death – and indeed they did during the violent movement in Britain – in order to gain the right to vote. The movement was reviled by many, but without this brutal commitment to the cause, women’s history, and indeed their present position, would look very different.

Brevity is the soul of wit, or, in this case, of inspiration. At just 272 words and three minutes in length, The Gettysburg Address is irrefutably one of the most historically significant speeches. The Battle of Gettysburg left over 8000 men dead. Lincoln’s speech followed a powerful, solemn speech by Edward Everett, which came in at around two hours long. Markedly shorter, Lincoln managed to memorialize the fallen soldiers at Gettysburg and transform the whole view and meaning of the Civil War. This speech led to the eventual end of the war and the abolition movement in the United States, making it arguably the most important 272 words to have been spoken.

Become a Culture Tripper!

Sign up to our newsletter to save up to 500$ on our unique trips..

See privacy policy .

‘Give Me Blood and I Will Give You Freedom’, Subhas Chandra Bose

As a freedom fighter in the Indian independence movement, Subhas Chandra Bose became widely respected and hailed as a patriot and national hero against the British colonial forces, although his legacy is not without its controversies. ‘Give me blood and I will give you freedom’ was to become his most famous quote, and it was regularly uttered to the Indian National Armies in order to motivate them. His strong will did indeed lead to India’s liberation from the British. His methods may be quite contrary to India’s other great orator, but its motivational power is quite undeniable.

‘Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death’, Patrick Henry

At the time Patrick Henry gave this dramatic speech, revolutionary sentiments had been brewing across the United States for well over a decade. Like a pressure cooker, the anger and resentment towards the British government – quite a theme in many of the great speeches in history – saw the tensions boil and evidently bubble over in 1775. Patriots geared up for war, and Henry made his speech. The speech, which took place in a church, was a call to arms: a call for the patriotic duties of the American citizens which stressed the urgency of the situation. A rousing speech which a stirring climax.

‘I Am Prepared To Die’, Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela is one of the most controversial, loved and important figures of the 20th century, and someone who will surely go down as one of the greats in history. The three-hour-long ‘I Am Prepared To Die,’ speech, sometimes called ‘I am the first accused’ was to become a key moment in the history of South African democracy. The country’s politics and social policies during the period were contentious at best, and this was something that Mandela was compelled to speak up against, even though it led to his 27-year imprisonment. The speech, which was made during Mandela’s trial, was met with an emotional sigh from Mandela’s side of the court room, a sigh that they would have to hold for over a quarter of a century. Freedom was to come in time, and the brazen nature of the speech is arguably what saved Mandela from death.

‘I Have A Dream’, Martin Luther King

The ‘I Have A Dream’ speech will surely go down as one of the most famous speech of all time; certainly, you can’t make a list of the most influential speeches in history and not include it. Martin Luther King ‘s speech came a century after the abolition of slavery, at a time when African-American citizens were still without equality, faced fear and persecution on a daily basis, and were denied many of their basic human rights. Laws may change, but perceptions take much longer to catch up. The speech was delivered to over 250,000 civil rights supporters, and was the defining moment in the American Civil Rights Movement, as well as cementing King’s place as one of history’s great orators. The speech shaped modern America thereafter, but watching the news it is disheartening to see that there is still much work to be done for his dream to be fully realised.

‘Quit India’, Mahatma Gandhi

The second of the Indian orators on our list, this time vying for peace over violence. The speech could not be more different to Bose’s ‘Give Me Blood and I Will Give You Freedom.’ but it goes to show that there is more than one way to influence a nation. Gandhi and the National Indian Congress implored Britain to ‘Quit India’ with a wholly non-violent message on August 8th, 1942. The same day saw the passing of the Quit India Resolution , demanding complete independence from British rule. This was a revolutionary part of the non-violent movement, and a famous case for the word being mightier than the sword, influencing many discussions and decisions thereafter.

‘Speech at Clermont’, Pope Urban II

Otherwise known as the speech calling for the First Crusade . The speech at the Council of Clermont, delivered in 1095 by Pope Urban II , saw so much interest among bishops, nobles and other people of power, that it had to be held in the open air. The Pope urged the Western church to go to the aid of the Greeks against the Seljuq Turks, and to recover Palestine from the rule of the Muslims. There is no official transcript of the speech, but it was the triggering factor for this first crusade and the thinking of all crusades after it. Influential speeches may not necessarily have a positive outcome, but they demonstrate the power of the well-delivered word.

‘The Third Philippic’, Demosthenes

The oldest of the speeches on our list by quite some margin. The famed Greek statesman Demosthenes is regarded as one of the finest orators of all time. The ‘Third Philippic’ was delivered as a call to arms against Philip II of Macedon , and was the most successful single speech in his long campaign against the contentious king, who had instigated widespread fighting throughout Ancient Greece. While the Athenians had been largely apathetic towards Philip, following Demosthenes’ speech in 341 BC, cries of ‘To arms! To arms!’ could be heard ringing through the streets. One man can indeed overthrow a tyrant.

‘We Shall Fight on the Beaches’, Winston Churchill

Winston Churchill is now widely regarded as one of the finest orators, and indeed politicians, of the 20th century. Interestingly, like Demosthenes and other noted speakers from history, Churchill was born with a speech impediment that he worked hard at correcting. How different history would be if he hadn’t. This speech, given at the House of Commons on the 4th of June 1940, declared that the British troops ‘shall go on to the end’ in spite of the seemingly devastating results of the Battle of France . Deliverance was achieved, and his words inspired a revitalized spirit among troops and politicians without which history would have been very different.

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.

Guides & Tips

The best private trips you can book with your family.

The Best Setjetting Trips You Can Take with Culture Trip

Sleeper Trains Worth Experiencing on Your Travels

How to Make the Most of Your Holiday Time if You're in the UK

See & Do

A quintessential english countryside experience at bovey castle.

Places to Stay

Why where i stay is becoming a more important part of my travel experience.

Swapping Rush Hour for the Ultimate Slow Commute

Film & TV

Aaand action explore the uk's top film spots with google street view.

The Yorkshire Dales, But Make it Luxury

Creating Gotham in Liverpool and Glasgow for ‘The Batman’

Top TRIPS by Culture Trip in the UK

The Best Group Tours in the UK

Winter sale offers on our trips, incredible savings.

• Post ID: 431238
• Sponsored? No
• View Payload

Accessibility links

• Skip to content
• Accessibility Help
• Movies With Ali Plumb

The 21 Most Iconic 21st Century Movie Quotes

As picked by radio 1's ali plumb.

Over the past 21 years, some big movies have hit cinemas, and some big lines along with them. This is a celebration of the most memorable, the most quotable movie moments from the century so far, and let me say straight away: limiting this list to just 21 quotes was a very tall order.

Some I got around through technicalities, such as Frozen’s ‘Let it go!’ being a lyric and not a spoken line of dialogue, whilst others were just a bit too expletive-led for the BBC homepage - see Training Day and Argo, for example - or much more on the “memey” side of things rather than actually being memorable in of themselves, such as much of the last two Star Wars prequels (“Hello there!”).

Some were hard to lose though, like “Call it friendo” from No Country For Old Men, or “D’ya like dags?” from Snatch - or even family favourites like “Squirrel!” from Up, or cult classics like “Oh hi Mark!” from the terri-brilliant The Room. But cut the long list down I did, and these are the results - that said, do let me know what I missed out (I know there’s a whole host of worthy ones I’ve forgotten), but remember: Fight Club and The Matrix came out in 1999. I was as astonished to realise that as you are, trust me.

"Are you not entertained?"

Film : Gladiator (2000) Spoken by : Maximus Decimus Meridius (Russell Crowe)

See also : “Brothers, what we do in life... echoes in eternity”, “Strength and honor”, “I will see you again... but not yet, not yet”, “AM I NOT MERCIFUL?!”, “My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius, commander of the armies of the north…”

Watch Ali's 2020 interview with Russell Crowe

Russell reveals exactly what not to say to him in the street, and chats 2020 film Unhinged.

"You shall not pass!"

Film : The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) Spoken by: Gandalf (Ian McKellen)

See also (including the rest of the LOTR trilogy) : "My precious...", “Fly you fools!”, “Po-tay-toes! Boil em, mash em, stick em in a stew”, “The hobbits are going to Isengard!”, “There’s some good in this world Mr Frodo, and it’s worth fighting for”, “I am no man”, “I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you”

“THIS IS SPARTA!”

Film : 300 (2007) Spoken by : Leonidas (Gerard Butler)

See also : “Tonight, we dine in hell!”, “Come back with your shield… or on it”

"You're a wizard, Harry."

Film : Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) Spoken by : Hagrid (Robbie Coltrane)

See also (including the rest of the Harry Potter series) : “Not my daughter, you…”, "Did you put your name in the goblet of fire?", “I solemnly swear that I am up to no good”, “Mischief managed”

• Listen to Ali's brand new interview special with Daniel Radcliffe, on the Screen Time podcast

Watch: Harry Potter & Fantastic Beasts - The Secret of The Wizarding World

Eddie Redmayne and Daniel Radcliffe help Radio 1’s film critic Ali Plumb discover the secret behind JK Rowling's world, in interviews from 2016.

“What I do have are a very particular set of skills...”

Film : Taken (2008) Spoken by : Bryan Mills (Liam Neeson)

“Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming. Just keep swimming, swimming..."

Film : Finding Nemo (2003) Spoken by : Dory (Ellen DeGeneres)

“Why so serious?”

Film : The Dark Knight (2008) Spoken by: The Joker (Heath Ledger)

See also (including the rest of the Dark Knight trilogy) : "I'm Batman", "He's the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now", "Why do we fall, sir? So that we can learn to pick ourselves up", "You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become the villain", "Some men just want to watch the world burn", "You think darkness is your ally", “It would be extremely painful… for you.”

"I love... lamp!"

Film : Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy (2004) Spoken by : Brick (Steve Carell)

See also : “I'm in a glass case of emotion!”, “You're so wise. You're like a miniature Buddha covered in hair”, “60% of the time, it works every time”, “Milk was a bad choice”, “Agree to disagree”

Watch: Steve Carell - Movies That Made Me

Steve Carell runs through his biggest films with Radio 1's movie critic Ali Plumb with hilarious tales from Anchorman and 40-Year-Old Virgin to Despicable Me and Welcome to Marwen.

"Wakanda forever!"

Film : Black Panther (2018) Spoken by : Everyone!

Watch: Becoming... Black Panther

In an interview from 2018, the late Chadwick Boseman reveals how he became Marvel's iconic Black Panther.

“Stop trying to make fetch happen!”

Film : Mean Girls (2004) Spoken by : Regina George (Rachel McAdams)

See also : “You go, Glen Coco!”, “YOU CAN’T SIT WITH US!”, “On Wednesdays, we wear pink”, “She doesn’t even go here!, “Get in loser, we’re going shopping”

Watch: Rachel McAdams - Movies That Made Me

The star of Mean Girls, The Notebook & more looks back on her career in a special interview, from 2016.

“Jagshemash!”

Film : Borat (2006) Spoken by : Borat (Sacha Baron Cohen)

See also : “Very nice”, “I like!”, “My name-a Borat!”

"Not quite my tempo."

Film : Whiplash (2014) Spoken by : Terence Fletcher (J.K. Simmons)

• Watch Whiplash on BBC iPlayer (available until 12 April 2021)

“You’ve got red on you.”

Film : Shaun Of The Dead (2004) Spoken by : Various

See also (from the rest of the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy) : “The greater good”, “Yarp”, “No luck catching them swans then?”, “How’s that for a slice of fried gold?”, "Let's go to the Winchester, have a nice cold pint, and wait for this all to blow over", "Let's Boo-Boo!", “Want anything from the shop?”, “Yeah boy-yee”

Watch: Simon Pegg - Movies That Made Me

From Shaun Of The Dead, through Mission: Impossible to Star Trek Beyond; Simon takes Ali Plumb through his career, in an interview from 2016.

"I wish I knew how to quit you."

Film : Brokeback Mountain (2005) Spoken by : Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal)

Watch: Jake Gyllenhaal - Movies That Made Me

Jake recalls career highlights from his best movies, including Donnie Darko, The Day After Tomorrow, Brokeback Mountain, Zodiac and End of Watch.

"With great power comes great responsibility."

Film : Spider-Man (2002) Spoken by : Ben Parker (Cliff Robertson)

“I drink your milkshake. I drink it up!”

Film : There Will Be Blood (2007) Spoken by : Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis)

“I am Iron Man”

Films : Iron Man (2008) and Avengers: Endgame (2019) Spoken by : Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.)

See also (throughout the rest of the Marvel Cinematic Universe): “I can do this all day”, “On your left”, “Avengers… assemble”, “I love you 3000”, “Puny god”, “Hulk - smash”, “I am inevitable”, “That does put a smile on my face”, “I am Groot”, “Is it though?”, “That's my secret Cap - I'm always angry"

Watch: Becoming... The Avengers

The story of The Avengers characters so far, featuring all the stars from the franchise, including Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans and more

"Oh what a day. What a lovely day!"

Film : Mad Max Fury Road (2015) Spoken by: Nux (Nicholas Hoult)

See also : “If I'm going to die, I'm going to die historic, on the fury road!”, “I live, I die, I live again!”, “Witness me”

"That's a bingo!"

Film : Inglourious Basterds (2009) Spoken by : Hans Landa (Christoph Waltz)

See also : “Y'know what, Uttivich? I think this might just be my masterpiece”, “Gorlami”

Watch: Quentin Tarantino – Movies That Made Me

Legendary director Quentin Tarantino talks to Ali Plumb about his iconic films, from Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill to 2019 movie Once Upon A Time In Hollywood.

"Wilson!"

Film : Castaway (2000) Spoken by : Chuck Noland (Tom Hanks)

Watch: Becoming... Woody

Tom Hanks talks to Radio 1 movie critic Ali Plumb about two decades and more of playing Pixar's iconic cowboy Woody.

“May the odds be ever in your favour”

Film : The Hunger Games (2012) Spoken by : Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks)

See also : “I volunteer as tribute!”

Header photo ©: New Line Cinema / Walt Disney Studios / Village Roadshow Pictures / Warner Bros. / Lionsgate.

Still wondering what else to watch.

Radio 1's film critic Ali Plumb has put together his top 21st century films and there is something for everyone's mood.

• Underseen thrillers
• 21 feel-good films
• Time travel sci-fi
• 10 best indie films
• Underseen comedies
• Top 5 rom coms
• Action films
• Underseen gangster movies
• Top 5 heist movies

Listen to Radio 1's Movie Mixtapes

Ali Plumb has been given the very difficult job of having to curate a mixtape of the very best songs from greatest movies. Listen to his picks here!

Subscribe to Radio 1's Screen Time

Ali Plumb reviews all the biggest releases and goes behind the scenes with Hollywood stars.

Related Content

Similar programmes.

• Factual > Arts, Culture & the Media > Arts

10 Famous Speeches To Ignite The Feminist Fire Within You

Be inspired by the words of these powerful women

Throughout history, so many of the people to make us stop and take note with their famous speeches have been women. From the women's suffrage movement in the 1800s and feminism's second wave in the 1970s to the global Women's March in 2017, the words and actions of famous figures such as Emmeline Pankhurst, Virginia Woolf, Maya Angelou and Gloria Steinhem (to name just a few) have transformed society.

It might explain then why the theme of International Women's Day 2021 was #ChooseToChallenge. We can learn so much from the powerful actions and inspiring words of the women who came before us – but, also, there's still so much work we have to do. It's our duty to carry on their work, challenging and changing and speaking up for equality .

And so here, we've rounded up the most famous speeches from a new era of women, who are continuing the task of transforming opinions, breaking boundaries and inspiring us all to keep choosing to challenge. Listen, learn and take note.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Will Not Accept Your Apology

After Florida Representative Ted Yoho reportedly called Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez 'a f*cking b*tch' on the steps of the Capitol in July 2020, he tried to excuse his behaviour by saying he has a wife and daughters. In response, AOC (as she's commonly referred to) took to the House floor with what has since been hailed 'the most important feminist speech of a generation' – fluently and passionately detailing why his 'apology' was, simply, not good enough.

Quotes of note:

'I am someone's daughter too. My father, thankfully, is not alive to see how Mr Yoho treated his daughter. My mother got to see Mr. Yoho's disrespect on the floor of this House towards me on television, and I am here because I have to show my parents that I am their daughter and that they did not raise me to accept abuse from men.

'What I believe is that having a daughter does not make a man decent. Having a wife does not make a decent man. Treating people with dignity and respect makes a decent man, and when a decent man messes up, as we all are bound to do, he tries his best and does apologise.'

Natalie Portman On Dismantling The Patriarchy

From her smart quip of 'here are all the male nominees' at the 2018 Golden Globes , calling out the women directors snubbed for the category, to her rousing 'f*ck up and thrive, sisters' speech at the ELLE Women In Hollywood event in 2019, Portman consistently calls out inequality in the film industry. And the actor's address at Variety's Women of Power event in 2019 was no different. In what is now referred to as 'Natalie Portman's Step-by-Step Guide to Toppling the Patriarchy', she made a strong case for all the ways in which we, as individuals, can make a difference.

'Be embarrassed if everyone in your workplace looks like you. Pay attention to physical ability, age, race, sexual orientation, gender identity and make sure you've got all kinds of experiences represented.

'Stop the rhetoric that a woman is crazy or difficult. If a man says a woman is crazy or difficult, ask him: What bad thing did you do to her? It's code that he is trying to discredit her reputation. Make efforts to hire people who've had their reputations smeared in retaliation.'

Michelle Obama On The Inequality Of Failure

Let's be honest: there are so many Michelle Obama speeches to choose from – the former FLOTUS is renowned for her passion for equality and her ability to uplift others with her words. But in a poignant keynote conversation with Tracee Ellis Ross at the United State of Women Summit in 2018, Obama spoke openly about the often-overlooked inequality of failure, and the disparities in repercussions for men and women.

Quote of note:

'I wish that girls could fail as bad as men do and be OK. Because let me tell you, watching men fail up, it is frustrating. It's frustrating to see a lot of men blow it and win. And we hold ourselves to these crazy, crazy standards.

'Start with what you can control. You start there. Because thinking about changing your workplace and changing the way the world thinks – that's big; that's daunting. And then you shrink from that. So start with what you can control. And that's you, first. And those questions start within. First, we must ask ourselves, "Are we using our voices? And when are we not? When are we playing it safe?" And at least be cognisant of that and understand, "These are the times that I shrunk away from doing more than I could, and let me think about why that was."'

Gina Martin On Misogyny, The Power Of Anger And How She Changed The Law

As she tells us in this refreshing TEDx talk from 2020, Gina Martin is not the kind of woman you'd expect to change the law. And yet, she did. The activist discusses the moment in 2017 when a stranger took a picture of her crotch at a festival without her consent – and how, after years of relentless campaigning, she succeeded in making upskirting a criminal offence. Martin makes it clear that anyone can make a change, no matter who they are or where they're from. And that's a lesson we all need to hear.

'Anger is a very normal response to having your human rights compromised. That's important to say. We have to stop using it to delegitimise people, with "angry feminist" or "angry Black woman" – all of these stereotypes. People are allowed to be angry about this stuff. And we have to hold space for them there. We have to realise it's not about us.

'Think about where you hold privilege – it might be in your job, as a parent, as a teacher, or just in the colour of your skin – and start this work now. Stop laughing at the jokes, buy the book, go to the event, diversify your social feeds, ask the questions. Sympathy is soothing, but it doesn't go far enough. Action does. And listen, you'll get things wrong. We all do, I've had some clangers. But it's not about perfection, it's about progress, it's about doing it because it's the right thing to do. We are so done with waiting for society to "change things" for us. We literally are society.'

Lady Gaga On Reclaiming Your Power

When Lady Gaga accepted her ELLE Women In Hollywood award in 2018, her career appeared to be at an all-time high, with Oscar buzz for her role in A Star Is Born , and her song 'Shallow' at number one in the US. But, as she explained, what people perceive a woman, especially in Hollywood, isn't always the reality.

Gaga may have made this moving speech several years ago, but it feels particularly poignant to revisit it during a period in which violence towards women is a more devastating and pressing topic than ever. In it, Gaga recounts how being sexually assaulted caused her to 'shut down' and 'hide'. She explores the debilitating effect of shame on her mental health and also the power of kindness and support in overcoming it.

Importantly, Gaga explains that she eventually found her power within herself – and how, once she took it back, she was able to use it to move beyond the prescribed expectations society puts upon women.

'What does it really mean to be a woman in Hollywood? We are not just objects to entertain the world. We are not simply images to bring smiles or grimaces to people's faces. We are not members of a giant beauty pageant meant to be pit against one another for the pleasure of the public. We women in Hollywood, we are voices. We have deep thoughts and ideas and beliefs and values about the world and we have the power to speak and be heard and fight back when we are silenced.'

'I decided today I wanted to take the power back. Today I wear the pants... I had a revelation that I had to be empowered to be myself today more than ever. To resist the standards of Hollywood, whatever that means. To resist the standards of dressing to impress. To use what really matters: my voice.'

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie On Redefining Feminism

You may not have knowingly heard to author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's speech before, but there's a good chance you will have listened to her words without realising – Beyoncé actually weaved a key part of Adichie's feminist manifesto into her track '***Flawless'. In her speech, Adichie reflects on the gender disparities still evident our society, with a focus on those in her native Africa, and dissects the meaning of 'feminist' – both the connotations and myths it carries – and how she came to define the term for herself.

'We teach girls to shrink themselves, to make themselves smaller, we say to girls, "You can have ambition, but not too much. You should aim to be successful, but not too successful, otherwise you would threaten the man." ...But what if we question the premise itself? Why should a woman's success be a threat to a man?

'I want to be respected in all of my femaleness because I deserve to be. Gender is not an easy conversation to have. For both men and women, to bring up gender is sometimes to encounter almost immediate resistance... Some of the men here might be thinking, "OK, all of this is interesting, but I don't think like that." And that is part of the problem – that many men do not actively think about gender or notice gender is part of the problem.'

Kamala Harris On Setting A New Standard For The Next Generation

On November 7 2020, Vice President-elect Kamala Harris delivered her first national address after Joe Biden 's position as President was secured. As the first woman to hold the position and the first person of colour to do so, Harris' presence alone was enough to break boundaries. But then came her words. In the speech, she reflected on triumph of democracy and credited the work of the women who came before us, plus that of 'a new generation of women in... who cast their ballots and continued the fight for their fundamental right to vote and be heard'.

'While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last, because every little girl watching tonight sees that this is a country of possibilities. And to the children of our country, regardless of your gender, our country has sent you a clear message: Dream with ambition, lead with conviction, and see yourselves in a way that others may not, simply because they've never seen it before, but know that we will applaud you every step of the way.'

Amanda Gorman On Finding Your Voice

If you didn't know Amanda Gorman before this year, you'll definitely know her now, thanks to her reading at US President Joe Biden's swearing-in ceremony. The United States' first-ever youth poet laureate's powerful, rhythmic poem 'The Hill We Climb' made the world stop and listen, highlighting the many inequalities in our society and reminding us that we need to work together to overcome them.

While 2021 was the year that catapulted Gorman into the spotlight, it wasn't the first time she'd spoken out about the world around her. In her 2018 TED Talk, she discusses the power of speech, learning to find her voice and how 'poetry is actually at the centre of our most political questions about what it means to be a democracy'.

'I had a moment of realisation, where I thought, "If I choose not to speak out of fear, then there's no one that my silence is standing for."'

'When someone asks me to write a poem that's not political, what they're really asking me is to not ask charged and challenging questions in my poetic work. And that does not work, because poetry is always at the pulse of the most dangerous and most daring questions that a nation or a world might face.'

'If I choose, not out of fear, but out of courage, to speak, then there's something unique that my words can become... It might feel like every story has been told before, but the truth is, no one's ever told my story in the way I would tell it.'

Frances McDormand Demands Inclusion In Hollywood

It's one thing to make a great acceptance speech at the Oscars. But to share that honour with your fellow nominees and use it as a platform to highlight where your industry needs to do better? That's a whole other story, and one told by McDormand in a speech that got everybody on their feet as she accepted the Oscar for Best Actress at the 2018 Academy Awards.

'I want to get some perspective. If I may be so honoured to have all the female nominees in every category stand with me in this room tonight, the actors... the filmmakers, the producers, the directors, the writers, the cinematographers, the composers, the songwriters, the designers... We all have stories to tell and projects we need financed. Don't talk to us about it at the parties tonight. Invite us into your office in a couple days, or you can come to ours, whatever suits you best, and we'll tell you all about them. I have two words to leave with you tonight, ladies and gentlemen: "inclusion rider".'

Meghan Markle On Realising The Magnitude Of Individual Action

Long before she made headlines as the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle had already made the world take notice. At the UN Women Conference back in 2015, she spoke about 'accidentally' becoming a female advocate when at just 11 years old, when she convinced a dish soap company to change their sexist tagline from 'Women all over America are fighting greasy pots and pans' to 'People all over America…' instead. Here, she discusses the power of individual action, and why we need to remind women that 'their involvement matters'.

'It is just imperative: women need a seat at the table, they need an invitation to be seated there, and in some cases, where this is not available, well then, you know what, they need to create their own table. We need a global understanding that we cannot implement change effectively without women's political participation.

'It is said that girls with dreams become women with vision. May we empower each other to carry out such vision – because it isn't enough to simply talk about equality. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to simply believe in it. One must work at it. Let us work at it. Together. Starting now.

Women's History Month

Female Fashion Designers Share Inspirations

27 Famous Feminists Who Speak The Truth

Interview: Alex Scott On Change And Women In Sport

Team ELLE on Their Very Best Lipstick Shades

Hearst Employees Celebrate #SeatAtTheTable

Have a #SeatAtTheTable To Close The Equality Gap

Has Covid-19 Affected The Time's Up Movement?

How It Feels To Be Related To Emmeline Pankhurst

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan On Everyday Sexism

Beauty Truths With Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

The British Beauty Council Deliver Its Manifesto

The 15 greatest speeches of all time, by 15 inspirational women

We celebrate the greatest speeches of all time, spoken by women who have changed the world for the better

• Sign-up to our newsletter

Let these greatest speeches of all time empower you as a woman and unite us all in a quest for positive change. Words can be incredibly powerful, as is shown in these insightful, spine-tingling and, at times, revolution-inspiring speeches, spoken by great women throughout history, such as Maya Angelo and Emmeline Pankhurst, as well as modern change-makers like Amanda Gorman and Emma Watson . 

It's easy for women's voices to get lost in a sea of historical rhetoric. The most quoted speeches of all time are often those delivered by men, the words of many great women swept under the carpet. Swimming against the current, women have had to speak louder to get their voices heard. In the words of Virginia Woolf, they've had to create a room of their own. So we've rounded up fifteen inspirational women to celebrate those who found a room and encouraged others to do the same. 

Many of these speeches remain relevant for women fighting for equality in a social and political landscape where women are still under-represented. Take for example, Emma Watson's UN "He For She" speech— a decade later, we are still fighting for  equal pay . Or Hillary Clinton's impassioned delivery of "women's rights are human rights"—a quote that feels more relevant than ever considering the overturning of  Roe Vs Wade  in the US and ongoing regressive and oppressive policies worldwide. 

Now more than ever, women must support other women and not only allow their voices to be heard but help amplify the message they share. To inspire you to do the same, these are fifteen of the greatest speeches of all time. 

The greatest speeches of all time by women

1. virginia woolf, "a room of one's own" (1928).

"My belief is that if we live another century or so—I am talking of the common life which is the real life and not of the little separate lives which we live as individuals—and have five hundred a year each of us and rooms of our own; if we have the habit of freedom and the courage to write exactly what we think..."

Based on a series of lectures Woolf delivered in October 1928, A Room Of One's Own has since been heralded as a feminist manifesto. Her words continue to inspire women in 2015 nearly a century after she first spoke them. 

The speech strikes at the heart of patriarchy and argues that without financial independence and access to education—ideological, social and creative freedom is out of reach. Virginia knew this truth all too well: her own father believed only boys profited from schooling. As a result, she didn't go. Her strength of spirit defied even her own father: "Lock up your libraries if you like", she said, "but there is no gate, no lock, no bolt that you can set upon the freedom of my mind."

Marie Claire Newsletter

Celebrity news, beauty, fashion advice, and fascinating features, delivered straight to your inbox!

2. Emma Watson, "Gender equality is your issue too" (2014)

"I am from Britain and think it is right that as a woman I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body. I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and decision-making of my country. I think it is right that socially I am afforded the same respect as men. But sadly I can say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to receive these rights."

In 2014, Emma Watson partnered with UN Women to launch their HeForShe campaign fighting to end gender inequality and it's still relevant nearly a decade later.

"In 1995, Hilary Clinton made a famous speech in Beijing about women’s rights. Sadly many of the things she wanted to change are still a reality today." Watson continues, and speaking of Clinton... 

3. Hillary Clinton, "Women's Rights Are Human Rights" (1995)

"If there is one message that echoes forth from this conference, let it be that human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights once and for all. Let us not forget that among those rights are the right to speak freely—and the right to be heard."

Five words that said it all: "Women's rights are human rights".

In 1995, Hillary Clinton's speech at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing marked a watershed moment for women's rights. What makes this speech so inspirational isn't just the words she spoke but where she spoke them. Defying both US administration and Chinese pressure to dilute her remarks, she went for the jugular. It was a full-blown attack against policies abusing "unheard" women around the globe—not just China.

4.  Malala Yousafzai's "I am here to stand up for their rights, to raise their voice" (2014)

"I am those 66 million girls who are deprived of education. And today I am not raising my voice, it is the voice of those 66 million girls. Sometimes people like to ask me why should girls go to school, why is it important for them. But I think the more important question is why shouldn’t they? Why shouldn’t they have this right to go to school?"

At the age of 17 Malala Yousafzai was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for her work fighting for every child to receive an education. As the youngest winner of the prize,  the activist's powerful acceptance speech is not one to be forgotten. 

"Let us become the first generation that decides to be the last that sees empty classrooms, lost childhoods and wasted potentials. Let this be the last time that a girl or a boy spends their childhood in a factory. Let this be the last time that a girl is forced into early child marriage.

"Let this end with us. Let’s begin this ending . . . together . . . today . . . right here, right now. Let’s begin this ending now."

5. Sojourner Truth, "Ain't I A Woman" (1851)

'I have as much muscle as any man, and can do as much work as any man. I have plowed and reaped and husked and chopped and mowed, and can any man do more than that?'  

Named Isabella Baumfree , it says a great deal about Sojourner that she called herself Truth. She spoke it. An African-American abolitionist and women's rights activist, Truth was born into slavery in New York, sold at auction with a flock of sheep for $100 in 1806, escaping with her baby daughter in 1826. 

Oprah Winfrey has recited Truth's inspirational speech many times since.

6. Nora Ephron, "Commencement Address To Wellesley Class Of 1996" (1996)

"Whatever you choose, however many roads you travel, I hope that you choose not to be a lady. I hope you will find some way to break the rules and make a little trouble out there. And I also hope that you will choose to make some of that trouble on behalf of women."

Nora also spiked her speech with words of caution: "Understand: every attack on Hillary Clinton for not knowing her place is an attack on you," she rallied. Her words still echo today and one sentence rings eternally true: "Above all, be the heroine of your life, not the victim."

7. Aung San Suu Kyi, "Freedom From Fear" (1990)

"Fearlessness may be a gift but perhaps more precious is the courage acquired through endeavour, courage that comes from cultivating the habit of refusing to let fear dictate one's actions, courage that could be described as 'grace under pressure'—grace which is renewed repeatedly in the face of harsh, unremitting pressure."

Burma's "woman of destiny" has inspired millions during her lifetime of political activism and captivity, held under house arrest for 15 of the past 21 years in Burma. Receiving the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought in 1990, this now-famous speech followed in acceptance appeals to the spirituality of human nature: it's bravery, compassion and conviction.

8. Gloria Steinem, "Address to the Women of America" (1971)

"This is no simple reform. It really is a revolution. Sex and race, because they are easy, visible differences, have been the primary ways of organizing human beings into superior and inferior groups, and into the cheap labour on which this system still depends. We are talking about a society in which there will be no roles other than those chosen, or those earned. We are really talking about humanism."

In 1971 Gloria Steinem delivered an inspiring Address to the Women of America . It would soon be regarded as one of the most memorable speeches of the second-wave feminist era. What made her speech so powerful wasn't just its attack on sexism, but its focus on the intersectional issues of racism and class.

9. Greta Thunberg, "We'll be watching you" (2019)

"I shouldn’t be up here. I should be back in school on the other side of the ocean. Yet you all come to us young people for hope. How dare you? You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words, and yet I’m one of the lucky ones. People are suffering, people are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction and all you can talk about is money and fairytales of eternal economic growth."

Greta Thunberg was only a teenager when she gave one of the most powerful speeches on climate change . Thunberg's United Nations speech in 2019 is the one everyone remembers when the name Greta Thunberg comes to mind. Albeit only a teenager, she has made many a powerful speech since, including asking world leaders to stop delivering ‘empty promises’. 

10. Maya Angelou, "On the Pulse of Morning" (1993)

'"Here on the pulse of this new day, you may have the grace to look up and out And into your sister's eyes, Into your brother's face, your country And say simply Very simply With hope Good morning."

Maya Angelou was only the second poet in history to read a poem at a presidential inauguration, and the first African American and woman. Touching upon the themes of change, inclusion and responsibility, it has since been called Angelou's "autobiographical poem".

Maya Angelou was an extraordinarily wise woman . One of her most inspiring quotes to live by? 

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude."

11. Ruth Bader Ginsberg, "The Value of Diversity" (2009)

"As you leave here and proceed along life’s paths, try to leave tracks. Use the education you have received to help repair tears in your communities. Take part in efforts to move those communities, your Nation, and our world closer to the conditions needed to ensure the health and well-being of your generation and generations following your own."

Ruth Bader Ginsberg delivered this passionate keynote speech to graduates at Sciences Po in 2009. Nicknamed the 'notorious RBG' for her fighting spirit and tireless pursuit towards equality, in terms of both gender and race, this speech emphasises the importance of 'repairing the tears' in communities and coming together to build a stronger world for the generations after us. 

She explains earlier in the speech: "We will all profit from a more diverse, inclusive society, understanding, accommodating, even celebrating our differences, while pulling together for the common good."

After her passing in 2020, former President of the United States Barack Obama published a statement that read: “She was someone who believed that equal justice under law only had meaning if it applied to every single [individual].”

12. Julia Gillard "Misogyny speech" (2012)

"I rise to oppose the motion moved by the Leader of the Opposition, and in so doing I say to the Leader of the Opposition: I will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man. I will not. The government will not be lectured about sexism and misogyny by this man—not now, not ever.

"I hope the Leader of the Opposition has a piece of paper and he is writing out his resignation, because if he wants to know what misogyny looks like in modern Australia he does not need a motion in the House of Representatives; he needs a mirror. That is what he needs."

In an iconic moment in feminist history, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard gave an impassioned speech on misogyny that has continued to hold its power to this day. Julia's speech was in response to opposition leader Tony Abbott accusing her of sexism, calling for her to sack Speaker Peter Slipper following an accusation of misogynistic text messages. 

Julia later said of the speech : "After every sexist thing directed at me that I’d bitten my lip on, now I was going to be accused of sexism – the unfairness of that. That anger propelled it.”

13. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie "We should all be feminists" (2011)

“Why the word feminist? Why not just say you are a believer in human rights, or something like that?” Because that would be dishonest. Feminism is, of course, part of human rights in general - but to choose to use the vague expression human rights is to deny the specific and particular problem of gender. It would be a way of pretending that it was not women who have, for centuries, been excluded. It would be a way of denying that the problem of gender targets women. That the problem was not about being human, but specifically about being a female human. For centuries, the world divided human beings into two groups and then proceeded to exclude and oppress one group. It is only fair that the solution to the problem acknowledge that.”

Award-winning Nigerian author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TedTalks is widely regarded as one of the platform’s best-ever speeches. So much so, that it’s been published as a book and translated into 32 languages. 

In the thirty-minute talk address, she argued for women’s rights and inclusivity and drew on her own experiences. Oh, and Beyonce sampled the speech in her song Flawless .

14. Amanda Gorman "The Hill We Climb" (2021)

“We are striving to forge our union with purpose.

To compose a country committed to all cultures, colours, characters, and conditions of man.

And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us, but what stands before us.”

The first person ever to be named National Youth Poet Laureate, Amanda Gorman — then only 22 — was catapulted to fame after she performed her poem “The Hill We Climb” at the 2021 inauguration of Joe Biden. Her work addresses sustainability, feminism, racism, and inequality. 

15. Michelle Obama "The 2018 United State of Women Summit" (2018)

“I wish that girls could fail as bad as men do and be OK. Because let me tell you, watching men fail up, it is frustrating. It’s frustrating to see a lot of men blow it and win. And we hold ourselves to these crazy, crazy standards.”

Speaking to Tracee Ellis Ross at the 2018 United State of Women Summit in Los Angeles, Michelle Obama called on the need for girls to be believed in, invested in, and nurtured the way that boys and men are. “If we want our daughters to dream bigger than we did, then we have more work to do,” she said. The speech launched a global petition calling lawmakers to #LeveltheLaw to “empower girls and women around the world”. 

If you're searching for more inspiration on the themes in these speeches, we've rounded up all the best feminist books to add to your reading list and four feminist petitions to sign. 

• Dionne Brighton
• Lauren Hughes

By Jenny Proudfoot

• Site Archive
• Contact Future's experts
• Terms and conditions
• Advertise with us
• Privacy policy
• Cookies policy

Marie Claire UK is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site . © Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. All rights reserved. England and Wales company registration number 2008885.

26 Inspiring Famous Speeches: What Makes Them Great? 😇

I like building and growing simple yet powerful products for the world and the worldwide web.

Published Date : November 19, 2021

Reading Time :

Presenting a speech is a great way to make a mark on an audience. However, it’s not always so simple. Throughout time, famous speeches have always captured our hearts and minds, and many famous people have used their skills to inspire others with their words.

“ Speech is power: Speech is to persuade, convert, and compel.”

The quote was popularized by Ralph Waldo Emerson , an American poet and essayist. A speech is compelling if written and done right.

His quote wonderfully encapsulates the impact of a well-crafted speech . There is no shortage of legendary speeches that have indelibly impacted humanity and history.

Later, I’ll share famous speeches that will make a lasting impression on you. The speeches might amaze you, so if you’re ready, read on!

Moreover, as a special treat, I’ll give some tips and tricks on delivering famous speeches. Maybe one day, you’ll end up on one of our lists!

Key Traits of Famous Speeches

Great rhetoric isn’t the only aspect of famous speeches. You’ll need the correct time, a compelling message, structure, and key elements. 

How to Become an Effective Public Speaker

What do Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, and Mother Teresa have in common? Why did their speeches become so powerful and famous?

The key characteristics of these famous speeches will help you deliver an impactful speech . Thus, here are some of the main attributes of a great public speaker:

What Not to Do When Giving Famous Speeches?

Many things could go wrong with a speech , but the best way to prevent them is to rehearse. You should practice at least ten times before finalizing. Generally, a simple, straightforward speech that keeps your audience awake and engaged will make any event memorable.

Here are some of the things you avoid doing during a speech .

1. Not rehearsing

The most effective presenters practice. Furthermore, rehearsing optimizes your audience’s perception of you and helps achieve the desired outcome of a presentation.

2. Dumping too much data

Sometimes, when we address an audience, we concentrate almost entirely on Logos or the reasoning part of the speech . 

We tend to talk too long when we rely too heavily on statistics and data. We also completely ignore the most important element of all: the listeners.

3. No pauses

Numerous individuals make the mistake of rushing through their speeches. They tend to talk fast, like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. However, a good speech needs pauses and stops. You will appear more confident when you intentionally use pauses as a rhetorical device.

4. More or little humor

Adding humor to your speech can be a tricky one. Knowing how much humor you can put in is difficult, especially if you don’t know your audience.

However, you don’t want your presentation to be boring. A good rule of thumb is to be yourself, with a dash of humor thrown in for good measure.

5. Reading instead of talking

Do not read your speech off your slides or a piece of paper. It makes you unsure what you’re saying, and people tend to get bored. Instead, memorize and talk to the audience, and explain the information you wish to deliver.

Start inspiring people with your speech , and start practicing with Orai

What Makes Famous Speeches Famous?

What constitutes a famous speech ? Mostly, it’s a sense of humor or a strong call to action. In most cases, it’s simply the speaker’s presence and energy that the audience finds attractive.

Whatever the case, famous speeches all have a few things in common. They have a story that connects with their audience. Moreover, famous speeches have a strong beginning and a strong ending and aren’t drawn out.

Top 10 Most Influential Famous Speeches in History

There are more than a handful of famous speeches in history. But the ones below are the best of the best because they’re:

• Highly compelling
• Revolutionary

1. William Wilberforce – Abolition Speech

In May 1789, William Wilberforce gave one of the most famous speeches in history. He had the chance to talk about the slave trade. Wilberforce’s speech about why the trade needed to be stopped lasted three hours. He added that such an act was morally repugnant. Although he made his case, it was not until 1807 that the Slave Trade Act was passed.

2. Abraham Lincoln – ‘The Gettysburg Address’

The Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln is undeniably one of the most famous speeches in history. At only 272 words and three minutes in length, he touched on three main points:

• The Declaration of Independence’s principles of human equality
• Linked the Civil War sacrifices to the desire for “a new birth of freedom.”
• Preservation of the Union was formed in 1776, and its ideal of self-government

3. Subhas Chandra Bose – ‘Give Me Blood and I Will Give You Freedom’

Subhas Chandra Bose gave one of the most famous speeches in history. His speech immortalized him when he said, ‘Give me blood, and I will give you freedom.’ He was widely regarded and lauded as a patriot and national hero in the face of British colonial forces. Subhas’ unwavering determination resulted in India’s liberation from the British.

4. Patrick Henry – ‘Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death’

Next in the lineup of famous speeches in history is Patrick Henry’s Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death . Henry gave the speech at the Second Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775. He was sure that war was imminent. His speech aimed to persuade his fellow delegates to take a defensive stance against Britain.

5. Nelson Mandela – ‘I Am Prepared To Die’

On April 20th, 1964, Nelson Mandela gave one of the most famous speeches in history. During his trial, he gave a three-hour-long speech outlining his political grievances and explaining his ideas. His speech was considered a monumental move in the history of South African democracy.

The speech remained one of the most influential pieces in the 20th century. Different scholars have analyzed and studied the speech up to this day.

6. Martin Luther King Jr. – ‘I Have A Dream’

Surely, everyone has heard about one of the famous speeches in history by Martin Luther King Jr. His speech to over 250,000 eager civil rights supporters. It was a historic moment in the American Civil Rights Movement, cementing King’s place as one of history’s great orators.

7. Mahatma Gandhi – ‘Quit India’

The second Indian on our list of famous speeches in history and one of the greatest personalities in the world. Mahatma Gandhi made a bold statement that led to the end of British rule in India. What made Gandhi’s speech famous was its nature of being non-violent. It was the embodiment of the phrase “the pen is mightier than the sword.”

8. Pope Urban II – ‘Speech at Clermont’

Most famous speeches may not always result in a positive outcome. However, they do demonstrate the power of the well-spoken word. For example, Pope Urban II’s speech at Clermont. It has no official transcript, but it was the catalyst for the first crusade and the thinking behind subsequent ones.

9. Demosthenes – ‘The Third Philippic’

The oldest of the famous speeches in history, Demosthenes delivered a powerful message to Greeks about Philip II of Macedon. He asked his fellow countrymen to raise arms against him, responsible for widespread fighting throughout Ancient Greece.

10. Winston Churchill – ‘We Shall Fight on the Beaches’

Heralded as the person to successfully lead Britain through the second world war, he’s also known for his famous speeches. One of which is the ‘We Shall Fight on the Beaches.’ The speech was the second of three powerful speeches delivered during the Battle of France. This was his attempt to persuade the British people to rise to the occasion and not lose hope.

Famous Speeches by Women

When people contemplate the most famous speeches ever delivered, the list almost typically includes only men. With few, if any, addresses delivered by women. However, women are stealing the limelight and giving clear declamation.

As the great Maxine Waters once said, “ reclaiming my time ,” and yes, women are doing it right now. Here are some of the famous speeches by women:

1. Emmeline Pankhurst – ‘Freedom or Death’

Emmeline Pankhurst gave one of the most famous speeches in the 20th century. The speech was made as a result of the state’s denial of women’s voting rights. Pankhurst also stressed the need for resistance against the American and British governments. She portrayed the suffragist movement’s actions due to gender inequity and the necessity to defend women’s rights as human rights.

2. Oprah Winfrey – ‘Being a Free Woman’

One of the famous speeches by women was delivered by no other than the queen of all media, Oprah Winfrey. In her speech , she spoke about making decisions in the face of criticism. When she was accused of betraying women by voting for Barack Obama, she explained that she was always a free woman with the freedom of expression.

3. Hillary Clinton – ‘Human Rights as Gay Rights’

December 6, 2011, marked one of the great examples of famous speeches by women. Hillary Clinton delivered a speech on International Human Rights Day in Geneva, Switzerland. She stated, “gay rights are human rights.” Her statement came after the Obama administration declared that US government agencies need to consider gay rights.

4. Sojourner Truth – “Ain’t I A Woman?”

Born as Isabella Baumfree, Sojourner Truth was born into slavery and became an anti-slavery speaker after winning her freedom. At the Women’s Convention in Akron, Ohio, she delivered one of the most famous speeches by women in history. She began, “And how came Jesus into the world? Through God who created him and the woman who bore him.” After that, she dared men by saying, “Man, where was your part?”

5. Greta Thunberg – Climate Action Summit

Undeniably, she is the youngest woman on our list, but her speech was very powerful. Greta Thunberg was sensationalized in 2019 when she urged world leaders to address the effects of climate change. She said, “You all come to us young people for hope. How dare you?” However, people had mixed reactions to her speech at the 2019 Climate Action Summit.

6. Amanda Gorman – The Hill We Climb

Even months after Joe Biden’s inauguration, we are still relishing the great speech given by Amanda Gorman. Gorman’s spoken word poetry brought the language to life, touching on hope, unity, and America’s joint mission. The declaration will go down in history as one of the most famous speeches.

7. Queen Elizabeth I – Speech to the Troops at Tilbury

With the invasion by the Spanish Armada looming, English forces gathered in Tilbury, Essex, near the shore. Queen Elizabeth I was dressed in full military attire with them. She gave a moving speech to her troops. Her pep talk worked, and defeating the Spanish Armada became one of England’s greatest military triumphs.

Short Famous Speeches

Famous speeches come in different lengths. Some are very long, but a few are brief yet equally powerful. Here are a fair few of those famous short speeches:

1. Ronald Reagan – Speech Following the Challenger Disaster

Ronald Reagan, the 40th President, delivered one of the most iconic famous speeches on national television. His public address resulted from the tragic explosion of the Challenger Space Shuttle on January 26, 1986.

The space shuttle broke apart barely 73 seconds into its voyage, killing all seven crew members. Its crew included a classroom teacher, who NASA had chosen to be the first non-astronaut to fly into space.

He was an expert in communicating but found himself in a difficult situation. Nonetheless, he persevered. By carefully addressing each segment, his state address met the emotional needs of five different audiences:

• Families of the crew members
• Collective mourners
• School children
• Soviet Union

2. King George VI – Address to Britain

On September 3, 1939, King George VI gave his first address, declaring that the United Kingdom was at war again. People knew that the king had a speech impediment, a stutter . But it didn’t stop him from delivering one of the most impactful and strong short famous speeches ever.

The four hundred-and-seven-word speech persuaded a nation into action. It even sparked the creation of the 2010 blockbuster film The King’s Speech .

3. Richard Nixon – Resignation Speech

Besides delivering one of history’s most famous short speeches, Richard Nixon was the first US president to resign. He delivered his speech live through television from the White House in Washington, DC, on August 9, 1974. With his resignation, he hoped to “hasten the commencement of that process of healing which is sorely required in America.”

4. William Faulkner – Nobel Prize Acceptance Speech

William Faulkner earned his keep when he won the 1949 Nobel Prize in Literature. His acceptance speech entitled “The Writer’s Duty” was meticulously structured to demonstrate his goal effectively. He began his speech by introducing his topic and writing and reminding his audience that writing is time-consuming.

His “work – a life’s labor in the sorrow and sweat of the human soul,” he said. Faulkner then referred to writing as “anguish and struggle.”

Famous speeches in the 21st century

The collection of famous speeches in the 21st century highlights several individuals who have significantly impacted society. These people have impacted various fields and industries, from technology to education and politics. They have introduced new ways of thinking and living.

1. Steve Jobs – Loving What You Do

Steve Jobs presented one of the most famous speeches of the 21st century. It is an inspiring story of his journey divided into three sections: birth, life, and death.

His commencement address at the graduation of the class of 2005 retells the story of his path to success. It includes dropping out of college and being fired from Apple. The whole path freed him from the constraints of success and made him a beginner again.

2. Mark Zuckerberg – ‘Creating Innovation in the Office’

The list of famous speeches in the 21st century would be incomplete without mentioning Mark Zuckerberg. He completely transformed the way people connect and share content on the Internet.

With technology and social media defining much of the twenty-first century, his brief presentation discusses innovation. He contends that change entails more than just developing a new idea. He demonstrates to the audience how these methods are implemented at Facebook’s headquarters and applies this approach to their businesses.

3. Barack Obama – ‘The Audacity of Hope’

The Audacity of Hope is a rare blend of autobiography and policy analysis. It deviates from the boilerplate, frequently ghostwritten memoirs released by many politicians.

Obama describes his unusual childhood and insights into his racially mixed heritage. He also told his experience of living in an exotic location instilled in him. The 44th US President also delves deeply into nearly every major political issue confronting the American voter today.

4. Steve Jobs – ‘The Anatomy of Technology’

One of the most famous speeches from Steve Jobs compares computer technology to the structure of the human body. In his speech , he said that the brain of a computer is its hardware. He added that operating systems must keep up with the brain’s rapid development and growth.

5. Bill Gates – ‘The Future of Innovation’

Bill Gates’ optimistic innovation speech focuses entirely on humanity’s historical success and future progress in the invention. He believes breakthroughs will come from various sources because of the world’s vast intellect and abundance of innovators. These sources will range from the United States to some developing countries.

What literary devices and techniques were used in these speeches?

Powerful speeches often utilize repeated key phrases, like “I have a dream,” to drive home core ideas. Tools like parallelism and alliteration also make them flow beautifully and captivate listeners. References to historical documents further strengthen arguments and connect the past to the present, making the message impactful and persuasive.

What are some top quotes from these influential speeches?

Some of the top quotes from these influential speeches include powerful declarations about equality and justice, reflecting on the nation’s promise to uphold the rights of all its citizens. The speeches address the failure to fulfill this promise and the determination to continue fighting for what is just and right.

What are some speeches that changed the world and their backgrounds?

This excerpt highlights ten influential speeches that have shaped history. From William Wilberforce’s fight against slavery to Nelson Mandela’s call for racial equality, these speeches, delivered with passion and eloquence, inspired movements, ignited revolutions, and continue to resonate today as testaments to the enduring power of words to incite change.

Key Takeaways

“Eloquent speech is not from lip to ear, but rather from heart to heart,” said William Jennings Bryan . Famous speeches have been and always will stand the test of time. That’s how powerful they are.

Words are weapons, but with great orators, they become even more powerful. The individuals who belted the most famous speeches resonate throughout the world. We value their work because their ideas, efforts, and activities have resulted in life-changing occurrences.

Inspired? Get started with your speech and start practicing with Orai

You might also like

How Many Words is a 5-Minute Speech

Good Attention Getters for Speeches with 10+ Examples!

Quick links.

• Presentation Topics

Useful Links

• Start free trial
• The art of public speaking
• improve public speaking
• mastering public speaking
• public speaking coach
• professional speaking
• public speaking classes - Courses
• public speaking anxiety
• © Orai 2023

5 Powerful speeches by women in the 21st century

This women's equality day, join us in celebrating some of the most powerful speeches by women..

We may only be two decades in, but the 21st century has seen monumental shifts regarding gender equality. Movements such as #metoo, global fights for abortion rights, and the Saudi Arabian women's driving ban are a few that have highlighted the issue.

When you think of great speeches in history, images of Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King, and Barack Obama may spring forth. Due to ingrained biases, women have always needed to 'speak louder to have their voices heard'. Women's Equality Day, often referred to as Gender Equality Day, commemorates when Secretary of State Bainbridge Colby signed the proclamation granting American women the right to vote . On this Women's Equality Day (26th August 2021), we celebrate powerful speeches by women on the world stage fighting for equal rights. 

Oprah Winfrey

While receiving an award for 'Outstanding Contributions to the World of Entertainment' at the 2018 Golden Globes, Oprah Winfrey gave one of the most moving speeches by a woman at the awards. 

As someone born into poverty to a single mother who overcame discrimination with race and gender to succeed, she gave a rousing speech addressing the evolution of women's equality. Even more fitting, she was the first black woman to have received that award.

Key points of interest

[00:05:20] 

'In 1944, Recy Taylor was a young wife and a mother. She was just walking home from a church service she attended in Abbeville, Alabama, when she was abducted by six armed white men raped and left blindfolded by the side of the road coming home from church. They threatened to kill her if she ever told anyone. But her story was reported to the NAACP, where a young worker by the name of Rosa Parks became the lead investigator on her case'

[00:08:21] 

'So I want all the girls watching here now to know that a new day is on the horizon. And when that new day finally dawns. It will be because of a lot of magnificent women, many of whom are right here in this room tonight, and some pretty phenomenal men fighting hard to make sure that they become the leaders who take us to the time when nobody ever has to say me too again.'

Read the entire transcript here .

Frances McDormand

Upon receiving her 2nd Oscar in 2018, Frances McDormand's speech received a standing ovation after highlighting the integral role women have in Hollywood - both in front of and behind the camera. 

The 'mic drop' moment was the mention of the ' inclusion rider .' An inclusion rider is a clause actors and filmmakers can insert into their contracts to ensure an appropriate level of diversity in a cast, from women to people of color, the LGBTQ+ community, and people with disabilities.

Key points of interest: 

[00:03:16] 

'And now I want to get some perspective. If I may be so honored to have all the female nominees in every category stand with me in this room tonight. [...] OK, look around, everybody, look around, ladies and gentlemen, because we all have stories to tell and projects we need financed'

[00:04:15] 

'I have two words to leave with you tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, Inclusion Rider.'

Read the whole speech here .

Emma Watson

From actress to activist, Emma Watson is an outspoken supporter of gender equality. In a passionate women's rights speech at the UN in 2014, she declared gender equality an issue for both males and females to advocate. She asserted that 'feminism' has almost become a dirty word and that it is down to the inadvertent feminists to strengthen the movement. 

She also talked about gender equality from a male perspective, highlighting mental health and gender stereotypes, demonstrating that men do not have gender equality either. 

Key points of interest:

[00:01:51] 

'The more I've spoken about feminism, the more I have realized that fighting for women's rights has too often become synonymous with man-hating. If there is one thing I know for certain. It is that this has to stop. For the record, feminism, by definition, is the belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities.'

[00:04:05] 

'I am from Britain. And I think it is right that I am paid the same as my male counterparts. I think it is right that I should be able to make decisions about my own body. I think. I think it is right that women be involved on my behalf in the policies and the decisions that will affect my life. I think it is right that socially I am afforded the same respect as men. But sadly, I can say that there is no one country in the world where all women can expect to receive these rights. No country in the world can yet say that they have achieved gender equality.'

[00:08:35] 

'If men don't have to be aggressive in order to be accepted, women won't feel compelled to be submissive. If men don't have to control, women won't have to be controlled. Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive, both men and women should feel free to be strong. It is time that we all perceive gender on a spectrum instead of two sets of opposing ideals.'

The entire transcript can be found here .

Malala Yousafzai

Malala Yousafzai is one of the leading women's rights activists globally and the youngest person (and first Pakistani) to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014. In her acceptance speech, she delivered a heartfelt message advocating a women's right to education. She sheds light on women's rights from a unique cultural point of view.

[00:03:39] 

'I have found that people describe me in many different ways. Some people call me the girl who was shot by the Taliban and some the girl who fought for her rights. [...] As far as I know, I'm just a committed and even stubborn person who wants to see every child getting quality education. Who wants to see women having equal rights and who wants peace in every corner of the world.'

Read the transcript in Trint .

Greta Thunberg

The youngest on our list, Greta Thunberg, is a name synonymous with activism. This is more of an honorable mention as her speech at the UN Climate Action Summit in 2019 focused on climate change rather than gender equality. However, even at the age of 16, and speaking in her non-native tongue, Thunburg faced gender-based bias following the speech. There was online backlash due to her emotional tone and age, proving that women's rights have a long way to go before equality is reached. 

Key point of interest:

[00:00:54] 

'You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words, yet I'm one of the lucky ones. People are suffering. People are dying. Entire ecosystems are collapsing. We are in the beginning of a mass extinction and all you can talk about is the money and fairy tales of his time of economic growth. How dare you?'

The speech transcript is here for you to read .

What's next for women's equality?

Thanks to these speeches by women, the topic of gender equality remains at the forefront of the public's mind. Having said that, there is still some way to go in the case of equal pay and gender stereotypes and other global issues. However, these speeches have given women a platform in which to make their voices heard. 

Trint is an employer committed to equality for both genders with a number of initiatives like our Women in Tech and Diversity and Inclusion groups. We are committed to providing equal opportunities to our employees. 

We used Trint to transcribe the MP4 files of these speeches, try it out for yourself .

Your free trial awaits, learn more about trint for enterprise.

Headquarters

Suite 4, 1-6 Huguenot Place 17 Heneage Street London E1 5LN United Kingdom

North America

Suite 101 180 John St. Toronto ON M5T 1X5 Canada

• Infographics
• Inspired Source
• Visions of Human Rights
• Our Spotlights
• British Institute of Human Rights (BIHR) Guest Blog
• Our funders
• How to pitch to us
• Contact EachOther
• Support Everyone, Support EachOther

What we write about

• Discrimination
• Environment
• Immigration
• Institutions
• Young People
• Black Lives Matter
• Fighting Hate with Rights
• Hostile Environment
• Reforming the Gender Recognition Act
• School Exclusions
• Sex Workers Rights
• The History Of Rights – HIV And AIDs In The UK
• Uncovering Period Poverty
• Why the Human Rights Act is crucial for the UK
• Young People and Mental Health

More than news

• EachOther's Comics
• EachOther's Videos

Explore EachOther

• About EachOther
• Commission EachOther
• Pitch to EachOther
• Our social media house rules

• Corrections & Complaints
• Privacy Policy
• Using Our Content

6 Human Rights Speeches That Changed The World

Words are powerful things. Put in the hands of skilful orators they have the ability to inspire, heal and rally vast swathes of people. And what could be more worth rallying for than the inherent dignity and equal rights of ‘ all members of the human family’ (AKA, our human rights) ? 

These six speakers advocate for equality, freedom, and dignity. But above all, what connects them is their belief in the power of free speech, and that their own voice can make a difference – and they did.

• Hundreds of inspirational human rights quotes

1. Eleanor Roosevelt, The Struggle for Human Rights, 1948

Let’s start off with the first lady of human rights – Eleanor Roosevelt with her famous 1948 speech ‘The Struggle for Human Rights’

We must not be confused about what freedom is. Basic human rights are simple and easily understood: freedom of speech and a free press; freedom of religion and worship; freedom of assembly and the right of petition; the right of men to be secure in their homes and free from unreasonable search and seizure and from arbitrary arrest and punishment.

Check her out in action here:

2. Martin Luther King, I Have A Dream, 1963

Moving on to one of the most recognisable speeches of the 20 th Century – Martin Luther King Jnr in 1963 ‘I Have A Dream.’

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.

His delivery brings his words off the page:

3. Emmeline Pankhurst, Freedom or Death, 1913

Great speeches have a habit of connecting to times of strife. The struggle for women’s suffrage is littered with powerful speeches denouncing inequality – here is one of the most famous from Emmeline Pankhurst in 1913, ‘Freedom or Death,’

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.

If you want to listen to it, check out this reading of it:

4. Harold Macmillan, The Wind of Change, 1960

Sometimes the location of a speech underlines its impact. Here Harold Macmillan is addressing the South African Parliament about racial discrimination and slavery in his 1960 ‘The Wind of Change’ speech.

The wind of change is blowing through this continent, and whether we like it or not, this growth of national consciousness is a political fact. We must all accept it as a fact, and our national policies must take account of it.

Check out Harold in full flow here:

5. Nelson Mandela, I Am Prepared To Die, 1964

Four years later in 1964 in the same country, Nelson Mandela was on trial on charges of sabotage and made the following speech from the dock:

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.

Here is Mr Mandela using the court room as his megaphone:

6. Elie Wiesel, The Perils of Indifference

We’ll end with a personal favourite. Here is Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor addressing President Clinton in 1999 talking about ‘The Perils of Indifference.’

Indifference elicits no response. Indifference is not a response. Indifference is not a beginning; it is an end. And, therefore, indifference is always the friend of the enemy, for it benefits the aggressor — never his victim, whose pain is magnified when he or she feels forgotten. The political prisoner in his cell, the hungry children, the homeless refugees — not to respond to their plight, not to relieve their solitude by offering them a spark of hope is to exile them from human memory. And in denying their humanity, we betray our own.

Watch the full 20 minutes here:

These are just a small selection of powerful speeches, which speeches would you put in your top ten?

• Check out our guest post on ‘Free Speech and Why it Matters’ 
• For more on freedom of expression and why it matters, read our Explainer here. 
• To read about why we should continue to fight for our freedoms, read RightsInfo’s director’s opinion post, ‘ Evil Progresses Cunningly ‘. 

Harold Macmillan image ©  Chetham’s Library , and Wikimedia used under Creative Commons  Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 2.0 Generic Licence.

About the author.

Anna Dannreuther is a barrister at Field Court Chambers practising in public, employment, and commercial law. She is a trans ally and has worked extensively on human rights issues, including at the European Court of Human Rights and with NGO partners.

Latest News

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. Learn more

Find a speaker

Find a speaker, 5 famous speeches with a timeless impact.

Throughout history, speeches have been utilised by influential figures and pioneering individuals for a memorable impact. From their captivating content to their punchy delivery, certain speeches have become famous for their incredible power to create change and unity amongst audiences.

What unites the speakers behind the influential speeches is their bravery, passion, and expertise, ensuring every audience member is captivated.

Covering topics such as sustainability and racial equality, the speeches of the past have a timeless quality. Many current speakers are influenced by such inspirational figures, carrying forward their transformative methods into eloquent and powerful addresses of the current day.

Take a look at our pick of famous speeches with themes that remain relevant today.

Greta Thunberg - Sustainability & Environment

Martin luther king jr - racial equality, alex borstine - inspirational females, winston churchill - mental resilience, rami malek - diversity & inclusion.

One of the youngest and most recent speakers to surface on the global circuit, Greta Thunberg made history when she spoke at the United Nations Climate Action Summit 2019. Bravely, the then 16-year-old addressed country leaders with her impassioned speech on the climate change crisis.

Outlining her fury at the responsibility being left to young people to save the planet, Greta not only gained the respect of all in attendance but started an international wave of campaigns, which has now been coined ‘The Greta Effect’.

With Greta’s words ringing louder than ever, her concern for the environment is one of the biggest challenges' countries will face in the next decade. Many businesses and individuals are striving to be more environmentally efficient, and contribute to the solution, not the problem, through initiatives like the bike to work schemes and reducing travel.

At Champions Speakers, we have an array of environment and sustainability speakers , that can support you in your corporate and personal sustainability goals, with their first-hand experience and passion for the planet.

Perhaps the most famous speech in history came from none other than Martin Luther King Jr on August 28th 1963. Repeating the phrase ‘I Have a Dream’ to over 250,000 people in Washington, the Civil Rights activist spoke about his ambitions for a fair society, where race no longer created division, and black people held equal rights to white people.

Over 50 years later, King’s vision has helped to pass progressive laws, saw him awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and inspired global movements to improve race relations.

Generations have passed since Martin Luther King Jr took a stand, but his message continues to motivate others in creating racial equality.

With the Black Lives Matter movement hugely prevalent today, there is no better time to get educated and act. In a corporate environment, striving for racial equality is essential, and supporting your employees from different backgrounds is not only good for your staff success but your business success too. 

Taking her moment on the stage of the Emmy’s 2019, Alex Borstine decided to dedicate her win of the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series to all the women in the world. In a nod to female empowerment, Borstine mentioned her Grandmother, an inspiration to the actress, whose brave and bold move saw her survive the holocaust.

Encouraging other women to ‘step out of line’, similarly to her ancestors, Borstine’s message was clear, women can and will achieve anything.

The road to gender equality has spanned centuries and involved hundreds of inspirational females, that have broken down barriers and fought for their fellow women’s rights.

Whilst there is still a way to go, there are plenty of women that are inspiring positive change, with their achievements, and when booked for speaking engagements ignite motivation in their audiences, both male and female, to reach for success no matter the barriers. Browse our selection of inspirational female speakers , to transform your event.

One of the greatest ever leaders, Winston Churchill is renowned for the strength of his speeches, the voice that guided Britain through the Second World War.

The Prime Minister gave the now iconic speech, which gained the title ‘We Shall Fight on the Beaches’ in June 1940 in response to the Battle of France. Reiterating the resilience of himself and the country, Churchill instilled the mental strength in his people to continue the fight, a beacon of hope in a dark hour.

Resilience is an essential quality for success, both individually and corporate-wide, no achievement is without its hurdles, it’s how hurdles are responded to which defines the outcome. Since Churchill’s unwavering resilience at war, plenty of inspirational people have harnessed the quality of mental resilience, to overcome setbacks and reach success.

Available to book via Champions Speakers are our expert speakers in mental resilience , who can support your audience to achieve the attribute in their personal and professional lives.

Not only did Rami Malek portray Freddie Mercury, the openly bisexual and AIDS positive singer with aplomb, but he went on the win the Best Actor Oscar for his performance. In an acceptance speech that will be remembered as a key moment in awards history, Malek made no mistake of dedicating his accolade to the diversity the industry is striving for.

Having struggled with his own identity as a first-generation American with Egyptian immigrant parents, Malek has redefined the role of a Hollywood actor and paved the way for inclusion in a historically narrow career path, an inspiration to many.

Diversity and inclusion in professional industries have come a long way in recent years, but with 67% of job seekers considering it an important factor in their career, it’s vital to get it right.

There are endless benefits in a corporate environment to an inclusive culture, from happier and therefore more productive employees to extensive ideas input, businesses that champion diversity are thriving compared to those that aren’t.

Become a market leader in every aspect when you book one of our diversity and inclusion speakers , who will offer implementable advice to your team.

Book a Timeless Speaker

The right speakers with the right content are guaranteed to leave a lasting impression, meaning that when you book a speaker, you’re investing in not only the present but the future of your audience.

At Champions Speakers we offer only the best on the circuit: experienced, professional, and impactful, our speakers are available for all manner of occasions and topics.

Get in touch with one of our agents on 02071010553 or fill in our contact form to book today.

Kali Dennett

A newbie to the Champions family, Kali joined the company in late 2019 as the newest member of our SEO team. Hitting the ground running, she has since worked on a number of different projects and is well on her way to achieving her final qualifi... Read more

Related news: General News

Make an Enquiry

Champions speakers.

Barrington House

Leake Rd Costock

Loughborough

Call: 0207 1010 553

London Office

17 Hanover Square

Mayfair, London

Latest News

Footer disclaimer.

Champions does not speak for or claim to represent all the individuals listed on this website as the exclusive booking agent or agency unless specifically stated. Acts listed on this site are for informational purposes only.

Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy

Copyright © 2024 Champions (UK) plc. All rights reserved.

Uncategorized

40 famous persuasive speeches you need to hear.

Written by Kai Xin Koh

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

You may also like….

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 *
• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Top 10 Activism Speeches of the 21ST Century (so far) Revealed

Most powerful talks by social + environmental activists to get inspired.

If you thought a single person can’t make a difference, we’re here to prove you actually can. Here’s a selection of the most uplifting activism speeches of this century so far that stand right next to your basic human & environmental rights!

“How dare you?” – The words of a teenage girl that shook the world when she condemned world leaders for their disregard of the younger generations and kickstarted people to have conversations about the climate crisis that they might once have ignored.   

But why was Greta Thunberg’s speech so captivating? Is it because her generation, Gen Z, are emerging as the sustainability generation ? Or did she shock her elders into considering the future of our planet with her passion? Or perhaps, is she simply a great public speaker?   

With activists making up just 3.01% of the world’s most popular speeches, Babbel wants to draw attention to the speeches made to change the world. And it’s not just Greta Thunberg the world is listening to when it comes to activism. Back in 2016, when Leonardo DiCaprio finally won his Oscar, he used his platform to shine a light on global warming. Unless you didn’t already know, he’s super into environmentalism.

Documentaries

Despite activism speeches making up such a small percentage of Babbel’s results, this certainly does not take away from the gravitas that they hold. These speeches lifted hearts in dark times, gave courage to the weary, drew attention to that which otherwise might be ignored and even changed the course of history. These masterfully constructed, passion-filled speeches potentially make impacts on millions, if not billions of people. The ranked findings are part of data analysis carried out by language experts to unearth the most popular speeches given by modern-day legends.  

The top ten most popular activism speeches of the 21 st century (so far), are:

1. Amanda Gorman ‘The Hill We Climb’ (2021)

Amanda Gorman, the US’ first Youth Poet Laureate, has featured at the top of the leaderboard of the 21st century’s most popular activism speeches . Gorman recited her poem, ‘The Hill We Climb’, at President Joe Biden’s Inauguration in January of this year.   

Despite only delivering the speech mere months ago, Gorman’s powerful recital of her original poem ranks first on Babbel’s list of activism speeches. The Los Angeles-born poet and activist made history when she became the youngest person ever to perform at a presidential inauguration.   

Gorman captured hearts and minds as she called the US public “diverse and beautiful”. Her poem poignantly celebrates that the US is not a “perfect union”. She notes that the metaphorical climb of the “hill” of justice that the country must take isn’t easy. Gorman acknowledges that it is a painful process but is one that must be done for a better future for all.

2. Greta Thunberg ‘How Dare You’ (2019)

Second on the leaderboard is Swedish teenage activist, Greta Thunberg , who, in 2019, grabbed the world’s attention when she condemned world leaders for their disregard of younger generations and kickstarted people to have conversations about the climate crisis that they might have once ignored.  

Thunberg stole the show when she took centre stage at the UN Climate Change COP24 Conference in New York. At the time of her speech, Thunberg was only 16 years old, but she’s gone on to champion various environmental issues, as well as heading her very own climate organisation, Fridays for Future . Here are some original posters in the year of Greta .   

3. Megan Phelps-Roper ‘I grew up in the Westboro Baptist Church. Here’s why I left’ (2017)

In this 2017 speech, Megan Phelps-Roper describes what it was like to grow up in America’s most controversial church: Westboro Baptist Church. The church, which has appeared in numerous television programmes and documentaries, is known for its homophobic, transphobic and hate speech pickets.   

In the speech, she shares her experiences of extreme polarisation. She shares her personal experience of finding solace from Twitter in particular. She shares ways in which others who might be facing the same challenges she once was can engage in conversations with ‘outsiders’ to widen their understanding of the wider world and potentially leave the version of reality they are in. 

4. Justin Baldoni ‘Why I’m done trying to be ‘man enough’’ (2018)

Justin Baldoni might have won our hearts as Rafael on Jane the Virgin , but in 2018 he did it again with his TEDtalk ‘Why I’m done trying to be ‘man enough’’. In his speech, Baldoni tells the audience how he wants to start a dialogue with men about redefining their masculinity, breaking down the toxic masculinity norms that riddle society.  

Boys will be boys: a phrase once used all the time, is now slowly but surely becoming less of an appropriate justification to how boys, and men, behave. In his personal and endearing talk, Baldoni shares his efforts to escape the boundaries of who the world tells him he should be as a man and, in doing so, aids in breaking down centuries-old norms for a future where men can express their emotions without stigma.  

5. Emma Watson ‘HeForShe’ (2014)

Emma Watson offers a lot more than just being top of her class at Hogwarts. Back in 2014, Watson co-hosted a special event for the UN’s HeForShe campaign. In her speech as a UN Women Goodwill Ambassador, Watson expresses her concern about the need for gender equality and how we must change long-held stereotypes.

Watson cleverly creates a strong emotional connection to her audience and calls on everyone in the fight for equality – not just those affected by inequality. She shows that if gender equality is ever to be achieved, then we as a collective society must break down the harmful and destructive stereotypes of masculinity and the behavioural expectations of boys and men. This is a topic which still resonates seven years later, showing this change certainly isn’t something that will happen overnight.   

6. Malala Yousafzai ‘United Nations Youth Assembly’ (2013)

Malala Yousafzai, who became famous for her childhood activism against the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan’s restrictions on education for girls, and when she survived a gunshot to the head in 2012 and survived, also features in our list. Malala’s speech at the United Nation’s Youth Assembly in 2013 captivated listeners across the globe when she made her first public statement since the attack.   

Since then, Malala has gone on to become a household name in her fight for girls and women’s rights across the globe. She also holds the title of the world’s youngest Nobel Peace Prize laureate.  

7. Baratunde Thurston ‘How to deconstruct racism, one headline at a time’ (2019)

A phenomenon we have seen play out for centuries, but even more so on social media, is that of white Americans calling law enforcement on Black Americans who have committed ‘crimes’. These ‘crimes’ often being eating, walking, or as Baratunde Thurston puts it in his TEDtalk, “living while Black”. 

One of the most infamous examples of this is ‘ Central Park Karen ’: who went viral for calling the police on an innocent Black man, resulting in her being fired from her job. Thurston explores this phenomenon in a thought-provoking way and uses humour to share the power of language and how this can change these situations into an experience of healing for those affected, rather than an upsetting one. He also challenges others to level up in the fight against racism. 

8. Stacey Abrams ‘3 questions to aks yourself about everything you do’ (2018)

Stacey Abrams made history in 2018 when she became the first Black woman in the history of the USA to be nominated by a major party for governor, becoming the Georgia House Democratic Leader.  

Her TEDtalk from the same year explores how you should respond to setbacks in life and how these will ultimately define your character. She shares her own life lessons, in particular the ones she learned from her campaign in the lead up to earning her place as governor for Georgia. She tells the audience that to achieve your desired outcome, whatever you do in life, you must “be aggressive about your ambition”.  

Abrams’ electrifying speech undoubtedly leaves her audience, and those who view to this day, with a sense of urgency and inspiration to achieve everything they set out to – even that which they might perceive to be their wildest of dreams.  

9. John Boyega ‘George Floyd protest’ (2020)

The BLM protests that happened in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd by US law enforcement caused outrage in every corner of the globe and many celebrities used their platform and voice to share their experiences and outrage with their audiences.  

John Boyega is best known for his role as Finn in Star Wars, but last year he became one of the voices championing the BLM movement, thanks to his powerful speech at Hyde Park. Boyega expressed his outrage at the institutional and outright racism that goes on within society. His speech resonated with millions, showing that some of the best speeches truly are unscripted.  

To learn more about the Black Lives Matter movement, see here .

10. Gina Martin ‘They told me to change my clothes. I changed the law instead.’ (2020)

Gina Martin is a British political activist and author. Last year, Martin took to the stage to tell her experience of assault and how she took that experience to create a petition which ultimately changed the law.  

Back in 2017, a man placed a phone between Martin’s legs, took inappropriate images and proceeded to share these images with his peers. Martin tells the audience how angered she was by a lack of response from authorities, so she took to social media to share her experience and petition.  

Martin’s petition ultimately led to her becoming a leading figure in the fight against sexual misconduct and assault that led to successfully adding upskirting to the Sexual Offences Act 2003 .  

Buy Me a Coffee

Ourgoodbrands

Related articles.

Boost your health with these natural plant-based foods

One year. 4,490 plastic items: uncovering the recycling smokescreen

This tech accelerator supports low-income students with talent

A green and sustainable search engine alternative

One comment.

Thanks a lot for sharing such an inspiring list of speeches. I am now binge watching each one of them! There is a spelling mistake in your 8th title

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

OUR MISSION

Breaking eco-taboos & making consumption sustainably easy. This is your one-stop magazine to find ethical brands, sustainable products, eco-living tips, zero waste, vegan & organic "everything" to live a healthy & meaningful life! Featuring social + eco enterprises worldwide. Contact us!

© 2024 Ourgoodbrands

About Ourgoodbrands

• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions
• Listen Podcast
• Watch Videos

NEWSLETTER SIGN UP

Powered by Fourppineapples

R heto r ical L iterac y : 50 Important Speeches in 21st Century America

To the World Forum on the Future of Democracy

Speech Marking African-American History Month

Commencement Address at Knox College

"A More Perfect Union"

Ryne Sandberg

Baseball Hall of Fame Induction Address

© Copyright 2001-2023. American Rhetoric by Michael E. Eidenmuller All rights reserved.

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

• International
• Foreign affairs

Diplomatic Excellence in the 21st Century

Foreign Secretary William Hague gave a speech about the importance of diplomacy at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 9 July.

CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY

It is a great pleasure to be here. When Your Foreign Minister recently invited me to come to The Hague, I gladly accepted his invitation. We consider ourselves lucky to have such a strong and like-minded friend in the Netherlands. Our countries work extremely closely together in foreign policy. In the EU our countries are consistent champions of free trade, a deeper Single Market, and the fiscal discipline and structural reform which will be essential to future growth, and from Burma and the Western Balkans to Syria and Zimbabwe we work side by side.

I also like to think that the Dutch and the British have much in common, in the way in which we look at the world and in the way we do business: we are direct, we want to see decisions and action rather than process for its own sake, and we are outward-looking. We understand each other’s sense of humour, and I am told by our Ambassador that British television comedies such as Yes Minister are very popular here. I visited Unilever and Shell this morning: two of our most successful multinationals and shining examples of how well we work together in business.

I also believe that we share many of the same instincts and understanding of trends in the world. Your Foreign Minister has just spoken about some of these, and explained how the Netherlands is adapting to them. I congratulate him on this work and on his leadership, and I thank him for the chance to speak to you all.

My message to you today is that we are witnessing a Renaissance in the importance of diplomacy.

Some people thought that advances in technology, and the trend towards multilateralism, would lessen the demand for diplomats and Embassies in far-flung parts of the world.

But that has turned not to be the case at all. On top of the stresses and strains we are all experiencing here in Europe and in our own economies, the world we are operating in is rapidly becoming more challenging.

Today, there are far more centres of power and decision-making that we need to be present in, that we need to understand and to try to influence.

For although the world has become more multilateral, it has also become more bilateral at the same time:

In addition to the established ‘emerging powers’ such as the BRICs, many other countries are bursting onto the international scene, powered by a combination of economic dynamism, geographic location, youthful populations, natural resources, sovereign wealth, and the spread of global connectivity thanks to the internet and related technologies. We have moved irreversibly from a G8 world to a G20-plus world.

It is also true that countries are not settling into rival geographic blocs of states that think and act the same way. There is a far more dynamic and complex lattice-work of connections at play between states in terms of trade and foreign policy interests; and also a rich web of overlapping connections between business, civil societies in those countries which contribute to their choices and actions.

It also goes without saying that the same web of connections also applies increasingly to criminal gangs, cyber-criminals and terrorist groups, which now are often truly transitional in nature while rooted in local circumstances.

Working out how to navigate this much more complex landscape of a networked world;

How to protect our national interests and promote our common values and security;

How to work with countries that are not natural allies;

And how to address threats to our security and seek out economic opportunity when both lie further afield;

All these things are the tasks of diplomacy today.

Some of these changes are uncomfortable.

We face the prospect of there being more situations in the world that we do not like but cannot easily change.

We have to adapt to the fact that some of our traditional diplomatic measures, including EU sanctions, will have a weaker impact as the EU’s share of global GDP declines relative to the rest of the world.

We have to expect more ambiguity in our foreign policy relations, as we work with countries that will be strong allies on some issues but vehemently opposed to us on others, or that do not share our values on human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Nonetheless we have to build confluences of interests with such countries over time, since they will be essential to achieving our common objectives.

But there are also tremendous opportunities:

This includes the potential to develop a broader sense of international responsibility among the emerging power, and to forge global on issues that matter to us all. Securing a robust and effective global Arms Trade Treaty this month would be one example of this.

Vast new opportunities for the prosperity of our citizens are opening up, with the world economy projected to double from $60 trillion to $120 trillion over the next fifteen years.

And as the Arab Spring shows, our model of democratic freedom under the rule of law remains a powerful aspiration for people everywhere, and gives renewed hope and impetus to our efforts to promote human rights.

So whether it is to seek opportunity or defend ourselves against threats, for Britain these changes in the world lead to one inescapable conclusion:

It is that there is no substitute for a global diplomatic network of Embassies that gives our country the reach and influence it needs.

We need more skilled diplomats on the ground in the places that matter, who are able to get under the skin of those countries, who are immersed in their language, culture, politics and history, and who have access to decision-makers and can tap into informal networks of influence. We need a more expeditionary approach to foreign policy, particularly in the area of conflict prevention, but also to tap into new opportunities for commerce and trade.

And so after a decade in which Britain closed many Embassies, we have begun a diplomatic advance that seeks to build up our presence and influence in the fast-growing parts of the world, and that strengthens our Foreign and Commonwealth Office as an effective institution for the long term. We think this is good for our country, but we also believe it will contribute to our ability to support peace, security and prosperity.

We do want to see the European Union use its collective weight in the world to good effect, and argue strongly that it must not turn inwards but remains outward-looking and engaged in its neighbourhood and the wider world.

I gave a recent speech in Asia calling for the EU to do more collectively in its relation with ASEAN. We want to see more EU Free Trade Agreements concluded, and an ambitious approach to the strengthening of human rights and democracy in our neighbourhood. And now the EAS has been established, we want to see it work efficiently. We are determined to play an active and activist role in all the Foreign Policy discussions and efforts by the European Union, from climate change to nuclear proliferation. But at the same time we believe that there is no substitute for our own national diplomatic network and capability.

Our focus on strengthening the Foreign Office and expanding British diplomacy takes three principal forms, which I want to set out briefly.

The first relates to policy. We are investing in our bilateral relationships with the fastest growing economies and the new powers of the 21st century. This means strengthening our ties beyond Europe and North America. We completely disagree with those who think that Britain has to choose between the EU and America. So while maintaining our close ties with the US and the European Union, we are tapping into our other networks and relationships with an intensity not seen in Britain in years. This includes the Commonwealth, which we see as a unique network that has been undervalued in recent years. We have invested significantly in our relationships with the Gulf - which stood us in good stead during operations in Libya where we worked in equal partnership with Arab nations. It includes our ties with India, Pakistan, Japan, New Zealand, Canada and Australia, and we have begun the biggest effort to build up our relationships in Latin America since the 19th century.

The second change in our foreign policy relates to the first, and it is our conscious decision to expand our diplomatic network even at a time of budgetary constraint.

By 2015 we will have deployed 300 extra staff in more than 20 countries. We will have opened up to eight new consulates or trade offices, including two new Deputy High Commissions in India which brings the number of our posts there to seven, and we will have opened up to 11 new British Embassies in Liberia, El Salvador, Paraguay, Haiti, Laos, South Sudan, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Cote D’Ivoire, and Somalia if circumstances permit.

The third change, which really binds this approach together, is a new focus on strengthening our Foreign and Commonwealth Office as a thriving institution at the heart of government. It must be as expert and effective as promoting our long terms interests as it undoubtedly is at being resilient and imaginative in dealing with urgent crises.

Our goal is a Foreign Office that continues to be capable of attracting and retaining the very best and brightest minds in the country, that equips its staff with effective diplomatic skills and places a strong emphasis on languages, history and regional expertise as well as on management and effective use of modern technology. I have summed this up as striving for ‘diplomatic excellence’ in the pursuit of our three core objectives: safeguarding Britain’s national security, supporting British nationals overseas and building our country’s prosperity.

This focus on skills and knowledge includes an increase in our budget for teaching languages to our staff by 30%. We are increasing the number of jobs overseas for which language skills will be an absolute requirement , and opening a new language centre in the building as well, so that our diplomats study together and foster a collegiate spirit. And I pleased that our Ambassador is a good example of this himself, being one of the few diplomats to master the Dutch language.

I launched a new Expertise Fund to deepen the geographical and thematic expertise of staff; this year we have so far supported over 300 projects worth over £800k.

We have introduced a sharper focus on commercial diplomacy, with a reinforced economics unit, more staff seconded to business, and Charter for Business.

We have brought Foreign Office historians into our main building for the first time ever, with their proximity reflecting the increased emphasis we are giving to the perspective they bring along with our Research Analysts.

We have adopted a new and much closer approach to Foreign Office Alumni so that we continue to draw on the skills and experience of our former diplomats. We have established alumni groups across different foreign policy areas, including my own Advisory Group of former senior FCO officials. As I put it to my colleagues, our staff should feel that they never really leave the Foreign Office, but are closely associated with it whatever else they go on to do.

At the same time we are bringing in more ‘outsiders’ from think tanks, non-government organisations, businesses and civil society groups, to test ideas and new and innovative approaches, and to help ensure that our policies are robust and remain relevant.

And as you are, we too are increasing our use of digital channels to discuss and inform our policy making: engaging on twitter personally, hosting Q&A sessions on foreign policy issues, and encouraging our Ambassadors to use twitter and Facebook. The FCO has 90 blogs, over 100 Twitter accounts and more than 130 Facebook pages. But there is still more that we can do to really harness the full power of digital diplomacy and we are studying this as I know you are.

So this is how we are responding to the challenges and opportunities we see in the world around us: the expansion of British diplomacy, an active and engaged role in the European Union, a greater focus on bilateral relationships, a programme of Diplomatic Excellence to build up the Foreign Office for the long term, and embracing the digital technologies of the 21st century.

We have a great sense of excitement and momentum about what we are doing. It is encouraging to know that others like the Netherlands are engaged in similar efforts. We have a lot that we can learn from each other and many areas in which we can work together, and I hope that we will collaborate even more closely in the years to come.

Is this page useful?

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

Recommended

Breaking news, j.k. rowling, transgenderism, hate speech and a dark day for scottish enlightenment.

• View Author Archive
• Get author RSS feed

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Most countries celebrate their most successful authors.

My country is especially blessed with one treasured around the world — the brain responsible for the wizarding world of Harry Potter.  

Yet our 21st-century Queen of Scots could face prison very soon .  

Our “hate speech” ban came into force Monday, creating a new offense of “stirring up hatred” against protected categories — including based on transgender identity and sexual orientation. 

Of course, nobody likes to be hated.

But the law is vague and far-reaching, without clear parameters around what the state decides could be “hateful” language.

Could it be illegal to state facts about women’s biological reality?

Could it be a crime to defend marriage between a man and a woman?

Depending on the context, nobody knows. 

The legislation was proposed in 2020, and I responded with my first-ever comment piece .

I warned J.K. Rowling could face jail for tweeting her beliefs under the future law — one of the Western world’s most severe crackdowns on speech, making it dangerous even to discuss biological reality with your kids at the dinner table.

“Free” speech could suddenly cost seven years behind bars.

Humza Yousaf — then justice minister and author of the censorial bill — disagreed.

In an interview the following month, he stated emphatically that Rowling would not be punished for her public “gender critical” tweets.   

The bill passed.

Police Scotland had to implore the government to delay enacting the law.

It faced an overwhelming rise in “hate” reports, with many from the “He said, she said” of the Twittersphere.

The forces needed time for “training, guidance and communications planning,” it said.  

We waited. For three years. 

That’s right — authorities had more than 1,000 days to address the real concerns raised when the bill went through Parliament.

Why was there so little clarity on which words or opinions met the threshold of “stirring up hate”?

Why is “transgender identity” a protected category but “female” isn’t? 

Would using the “wrong” pronoun count as being “hateful”?

Get opinions and commentary from our columnists

Subscribe to our daily Post Opinion newsletter!

Thanks for signing up!

Please provide a valid email address.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .

Never miss a story.

Would they really allow kids to report their parents for what they said in their own homes? 

Yet here we are. The act came into force Monday — and it’s no April Fools’ joke.

We’re none the wiser as to how we can hold robust conversations about important social matters without risking a stretch in jail.

The best advice Police Scotland has given us is to beware the “Hate Monster” — an infantile campaign singling out white young working-class men as villains, warning them not to get angry and “before they know it” commit a hate crime. 

Police will investigate every hate crime reported, we’re told — the same month it announced it will no longer prosecute 24,000 minor offenses.

Scotland will surely be the first country where offending someone’s feelings could come at higher risk of punishment than stealing their possessions.

The state is coming after people who say things it doesn’t like.

And that early reassurance from Humza Yousaf that Rowling would not be punished for her gender-critical beliefs? 

Highly questionable.

Twitter is awash with activists declaring themselves ready to report her belief in biological reality to the authorities.

The great Scottish witch hunt is a tale as old as time.

It was historically easier to silence problematic women if they were called “witches.”

Today, they’re “hate monsters” who need to be locked up if they hold beliefs not mob-approved.  

Indeed, it’s clear Yousaf hadn’t looked at the consequences of similar hate-speech laws across the world before making his claim.

In Finland, a parliamentarian and grandmother underwent criminal trial for a Bible verse tweet that questioned her church’s sponsorship of a pride event. Her case sits at the Supreme Court.

In Mexico, two politicians from differing parties have been convicted of “gender based political violence” and placed on an offenders’ register, simply for upholding their beliefs about gender and pronouns on Twitter.

There’s nothing to stop our hate-crime law from doing the same thing. 

It might be April 1, but J.K. Rowling doesn’t suffer fools gladly.

She’s challenged Police Scotland to come and arrest her for essentially declaring a woman is an adult human female and calling out those who pretend otherwise.

She could be at risk — yet she’s shown stamina in upholding her convictions.

Will citizens with less money or influence be able to withstand the pressure?

Or will they stay quiet for fear of trouble?  

It’s a dark day for the land once famous for freedom, culture, comedy and the great Scottish enlightenment. 

Time will tell how quickly we descend into a “monster hunt.”

Lois McLatchie Miller is a Scottish free-speech advocate with Alliance Defending Freedom UK.

Share this article:

Barometer from Shackleton’s final Antarctic expedition found, 102 years on

The instrument, which hung on the wall of the ship’s cabin where the famous explorer died in 1922, is up for auction

A barometer used by famous explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton on his final expedition has been rediscovered 102 years later.

The scientific instrument was fixed to the wall of Sir Ernest’s private cabin on RYS Quest, the ship on which he died of suspected heart failure in South Georgia Harbour.

Dr Leonard Hussey, the medic who tried to save Sir Ernest in his cabin, later took the barometer as a keepsake by which to remember him.

Dr Hussey gave the device to a friend, a Major Woods, and a descendant of his has now offered it for sale at auction for £8,000.

The Short and Mason aneroid barometer is accompanied by a signed letter which states: “This aneroid barometer was taken to the Antarctic on the Shackleton-Rowett Antarctic Expedition 1921–22 and was screwed up in Sir Ernest Shackleton’s Cabin on RYS Quest, given to me by Dr LDA Hussey.”

It is coming up for sale at Henry Aldridge & Son auctioneers, in Devizes, Wiltshire.

Andrew Aldridge, an auctioneer at the firm, said: “Sir Ernest Shackleton has been called ‘the greatest leader that ever came on God’s earth bar none’.

“This unique piece of memorabilia provides a tangible link to not only his final expedition but the last moments of this greatest of men.”

Sir Ernest led the RYS Quest expedition to circumnavigate Antarctica in 1921. Just before the ship left Rio for South Georgia, Sir Ernest suffered a suspected heart attack but declared himself better the next morning.

During the two-week voyage Sir Ernest was seen to uncharacteristically drink heavily to deaden the pain he was in. He died of heart failure in his cabin on Jan 5, 1922.

Dr Hussey, who was also the expedition’s meteorologist and assistant surgeon, later wrote in a letter: “It was a terrible blow to us even though in our medical work we have had scores of people dying in our hands yet somehow his was different.

“I tried to inject some ether to stimulate his heart but in three minutes he was dead.”

Dr Hussey, who had previously served with Sir Ernest on the Endurance expedition, accompanied his body to Uruguay where he cabled England with news of the explorer’s death.

Sir Ernest’s widow responded that he should be buried in South Georgia and Hussey carried out her instructions. He was buried on March 5 with Dr Hussey the only one of his former comrades present.

The barometer, which measures air pressure and is 4.5 inches wide, is being sold on April 27.

• Antarctica,
• 20th-century history
• Facebook Icon
• WhatsApp Icon

‘The Neverending Story’ Getting New Film Series Adaptation From ‘Slow Horses’ Banner See-Saw (EXCLUSIVE)

By Alex Ritman

Alex Ritman

• Tilda Swinton Bedtime Story Read and Josh O’Connor Porridge-Making Lesson Among Auction Lots Raising Money for Gaza 5 days ago
• Banijay’s Chief Operating Officer Peter Langenberg to Depart TV Giant (EXCLUSIVE) 5 days ago
• Why U.S. Indie Distributor Utopia Is Dipping Its Toes Into U.K. Waters With ‘The Sweet East’ 5 days ago

Falkor flies again!

“ The Neverending Story ” — the beloved fantasy novel from late German author Michael Ende that was famously adapted into the cult 1984 film — is being revived for the big screen once more, with a new joint-venture partnership between Michael Ende Productions and prestige tastemakers See-Saw Films bringing the world of Fantastica back to cinemas over multiple live-action films.

The news brings to an end the race for one of the hottest fantasy properties yet to be tapped for modern audiences. Variety hears that Ende’s estate had been fielding interest from across the globe over the last few years, including from studios and streamers.

First published in 1979, “The Neverending Story” became a bestseller in Germany and would be translated into 45 languages, selling millions of copies worldwide. At the center of the story is the awkward but imaginative child Bastian Balthasar Bux who, while escaping from bullies, discovers the mysterious book “The Neverending Story,” about the heroic Atréyu and his mission to save the magical realm of Fantastica — a world of dragons, giants, vast kingdoms and deadly swamps — and its ruler, the Childlike Empress, from being destroyed by force known as “The Nothing.” But the more he reads, the more Bastian realizes he’s not simply an uninvolved spectator and he soon finds himself transported into Fantastica himself, flying atop the luckdragon Falkor.

“We’ve been completely overwhelmed with interest from the television and film industry in recent years,” added Gassman, the AVA exec who works with Michael Ende Productions alongside Ende’s longstanding editor and estate curator Hocke. “But it was only about four to five years ago when we felt it was right to go back to Fantastica with new, fresher attention. So then we looked at hundreds and hundreds of requests and just thought, let’s see if we find a potential partner amongst them that is so compelling that they make us jump into the boat with them and go on this crazy adventure. But we knew we had to do it right and find the right partner, and luckily See-Saw was amongst them.”

For See-Saw, “The Neverending Story” — a much bigger and more elaborate piece of material than it’s used to handling — marks the next step up for the London and Sydney-based company, first founded in 2008 and made famous in 2011 with its Oscar-winning “The King’s Speech” (adapted by the late David Seidler from his own stage play).

“Emile and I have always been very clear that, if we were going to move forward on our journey, it had to be something really special that we were passionate about and connected to emotionally, so when this opportunity came about we just thought: this would be so magical,” Canning said. “Over our 15 years we’ve been very careful — whether it be for ‘The King’s Speech’ and the audience that loved that or ‘Lion’ and the audience that loved that, or ‘Heartstopper’ or ‘Slow Horses’ — about making quality material and that audience responding to it. This is such an opportunity to bring all that skillset together and do a full quadrant spectacle of a film.”

“The Neverending Story” also brings Canning back to a conversation he had in See-Saw’s very early days, before “The King’s Speech,” when he was asked which project he would most like to produce. “I said, do you know what, I’d really, really love to adapt ‘The Neverending Story,'” he explains. “I was reminded of this recently, so it just feels in a way that the 15-year journey of See-Saw in terms of going from book to screen has led up to here.”

The next task for the newly-formed partnership of See-Saw and Michael Ende Productions will be to find the right creative team to bring the novel to life before packaging the project and seeking out distribution partners.

“The journey, in many ways, starts now,” Canning said. “There’s been a lot of anticipation from people who love this story about what the next steps would be. For us, we now need to speak to writers and directors and hear their passion for the material.”

Although producers may be looking for a modern day adaptation of “The Neverending Story,” news of its return to screens lands during something of a renaissance for ’80s nostalgia, led by shows such as “Stranger Things.” It was actually “Stranger Things” that saw “The Neverending Story” recently back in the headlines, with Moroder’s famed synth theme from the first feature adaptation — a film Ende famously disavowed for deviating too far from his original story — being performed on the show and subsequently going viral online.

Alongside both Michael Ende Productions and See-Saw, executive producers on the new films will include the L.A.-based former Endeavor Content exec Lorenzo De Maio and Ende’s executor von Gronau as well as See-Saw’s CEO Simon Gillis and creative director Helen Gregory. Gillis and De Maio will spearhead taking “The Neverending Story” back out to the market once packaged. The rights deal was negotiated by von Gronau on behalf of Michael Ende Productions and Gillis and attorney Stephen Saltzman of Fieldfisher, on behalf of See-Saw.

For Hocke, whose career began with Ende in the early 1980s and who worked closely with him for almost two decades until he died in 1995, the new “The Neverending Story” adaption is not just the perfect opportunity to “make a new monument” for the author, but to celebrate the art and importance of storytelling.

“We need stories like we need the air to breathe and water to survive. They give our inner worlds quality and with this quality we make decisions of quality. Stories make the world better,” he said. “And ‘The Neverending Story’ is the story of all stories.”

More From Our Brands

Trump posts $175 million bond in ny civil fraud case, averts asset seizure, puerto rico’s most expensive listing is a $49 million penthouse, mlb union head tony clark sees pay jump $2m to $4.25m, the best loofahs and body scrubbers, according to dermatologists, chicago fire: rome flynn exits season 12 after six episodes, verify it's you, please log in.