After reading our introduction on the basics of a good speech and part 1 of the top 10 most well known speeches, here comes the other 5 speeches that are historical landmarks in our documented history due to their importance in determining our present and the speakers' future.

1

Inauguration Speech of John F. Kennedy

Kennedy was a very well-known American President and to this day he is still recognized as one of the 10 most influential presidents of the United States of America. In his speeches he invoked every American’s spirit of patriotism and talked about how they can do so much for their country. The most famous line he spoke was "My fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country."

2

Nelson Mandela: An Ideal for Which I Am Prepared to Die

No one is unfamiliar with his name and even now that he has passed away he is remembered with love and he still inspires people. He made the speech from the dock when the Supreme Court of Africa opened his trial for sabotages. His speech ends with a flourishing “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.”

3

“Women’s Rights Are Human Rights” by Hilary Clinton

Hilary Clinton has long been known as an advocate of women rights. She has claimed things such as “It’s always surprising to me how many young women think they have to be perfect. I rarely meet a man who doesn’t already think he is.” In this particular speech she spoke out about how violence and crimes against women are silenced. She addressed the government and individual females regarding this issue saying that “women’s rights are human rights” by definition and it’s everyone’s problem.

4

Margaret Thatcher: The Lady’s Not for Turning

Margaret Thatcher is a woman also famously recognized as the Iron Lady. She is famous for her speech in which she used the phrase that “The lady’s not for turning” in a speech she made at the Conservative Party Conference in the year 1980. Her speech received a five minute long standing ovation at the time and until now she is recognized as an influential figure. It was a refusal to perform a U-turn in her political career.

5

William Faulkner’s Novel Prize Acceptance Speech

William Faulkner is recognized for his prowess over the written word and it is in this way that he truly exhibits his passion for the word. However, his noble prize was accepted during a time when the Soviet Union recently came into power of the atomic bomb. In his speech he urged poets, writers and other artists to “create out of the materials of the human spirit something which did not exist before.” Instead of wondering things such as when they will be blown up.

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