Famous American Speeches by FDR, MLK & JFK
I have a fondness for speeches in American History. I especially like hearing the original recordings, more than merely reading the text of these speeches, or having someone else recite them. A bit of the orator’s charisma is transferred to you when you listen to the original recording, and you get a bit more out of it. Try it out. Have a listen.
I found three speeches on my computer today that I decided to share with you all:
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s First Inaugural Speech
“So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself…”
(See full text) (Listen in mp3 Audio) - Martin Luther King’s speech Delivered on the steps at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. on August 28, 1963
“…I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed…“
(See full text) (Listen in mp3 Audio) - President John F. Kennedy’s speech announcing the quarantine against Cuba
“…missiles in Cuba add to an already clear and present danger…“
(See full text) (Listen in mp3 Audio)
I hope you enjoy these as much as I did.
September 20th, 2005 at 1:45 pm
The only speeches I read or heard of these three if MLK’s “I have a dream…” speech. Thats it, never studied the others in school or anything.
September 20th, 2005 at 5:27 pm
You missed out. The Cuban missle crisis was a huge deal. Talk to your dad about it. I’m sure he had to learn the “crawl under your desk” routine that kids his age had to learn during this ordeal in the 60’s.
And FDR’s speech was important. It was right around the depression. He helped usher us out of it. My grandparents remembered it very distinctly.
September 21st, 2005 at 8:15 am
Better yet, watch 13 days.
September 21st, 2005 at 8:28 am
Good point. That’s an excellent film.
September 21st, 2005 at 10:16 am
13 days? What?
September 21st, 2005 at 12:35 pm
Its a movie about the Cuban Missle Crisis with Kevin Costner.
September 21st, 2005 at 1:44 pm
You coulda googled it :p
September 21st, 2005 at 2:08 pm
I know… but I don’t google, I’d rather ask, stir more conversation.
Kevin Costner??? Joy has probably seen it, and if not, then she’d be in love with it hehe!
Wait I just googled it hehe, I have seen it, boring! Not a great movie, you guys have poor taste in films. J/K
September 21st, 2005 at 2:19 pm
Actually, i think that I am thinking of the movie called, “JFK” that Kevin Costner was in… idk.
September 21st, 2005 at 4:19 pm
The guy that played Robert Kennedy was awesome. JFK wasnt nearlly as good, but they are different movies. Thirteen Days is only about the Missle Crisis.
September 21st, 2005 at 5:39 pm
yeah, you’re thinking of JFK.
September 22nd, 2005 at 10:55 am
Ditto… I love hearing you ask about common every day things that those of us with a few more years under our belt take for granted as common knowledge. Keep asking those question!
September 22nd, 2005 at 11:42 am
“Dudes, be excellent to each other. And party on!”
– Ted, Theodore Logan III, Bill And Ted’s Excellent Adventure.
September 22nd, 2005 at 1:09 pm
I do think that Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure was a good movie, but not something I would watch all the time. One point for Jim for liking at least one humorous movie.
September 23rd, 2005 at 12:29 pm
No one really seems too interested in these speeches, but they have great historic value to our country. No one really seemed to comment on the speeches themselves, or about the times that they were occuring.