great modern day speeches

25 iconic speeches you'll want to watch on repeat

We've compiled a list of the most moving, inspirational and unforgettable public addresses. Be prepared to laugh, cry and gasp. Here are the most iconic speeches of all time.

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From Martin Luther King to Margaret Thatcher, prepare to be moved by the most iconic speeches of all time...

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

2. Margaret Thatcher, The Lady's Not For Turning, 1980

3. Angelina Jolie , World Refugee Day, 2009

4. Winston Churchill, We Shall Fight On The Beaches, 1940

5. Barack Obama, The Audacity Of Hope, 2004

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6. President Kennedy's Inaugural Address, 1961

7. Cuba Gooding Jr, Oscars Acceptance, 1997

8. Ronald Reagan, Brandenburg Gate, 1987

9. Elizabeth Gilbert, Your Creative Genius, 2009

10. Michelle Obama at Oxford University, 2011

The First Lady gave an inspirational speech telling a group of London schoolgirls they can achieve anything and when they do, to use that power to help others. *Melts*

11. Earl Spencer, Princess Diana 's Funeral, 1997

12. Nelson Mandela, Release From Prison, 1990

13. Steve Jobs, Stanford Commencement Address, 2005

14. J. K. Rowling , Harvard Commencement Address, 2011

J. K. Rowling gave a speech entitled The Fringe Benefits Of Failure And The Importance Of Imagination

15. Hillary Clinton, Women In The World, 2012

16. Maya Angelou, On the Pulse of Morning, 1993

17. Malala Yousafzai, Worldwide Access To Education, 2013

Her bravery stunned the world, and this speech marked her 16th birthday. Malala urged all assembled to 'fund new teachers, schools, books and recommit to getting every girl and boy in school by December 2015'.

18. Sir Ken Robinson, Do Schools Kill Creativity?, 2006

19. Stephen Hawking, Questioning The Universe, 2008

20. Oprah Winfrey , Stanford Address, 2008

21. The Queen's Speech, 1957

Although the footage seems quaint now, at the time, it was groundbreaking. She said: 'I very much hope that this new medium will make my Christmas message more personal and direct'. Her speech included the historic quote: 'I cannot lead you into battle, I do not give you laws or administer justice but I can do something else, I can give you my heart and my devotion to these old islands.'

22. Sheryl Sandberg, Why We have Too Many Female Leaders, 2010

COO of Facebook Sheryl looks at why a smaller percentage of women than men reach the top of their professions and advises women on how to get to the top.

23. Baz Luhrmann, Everybody's Free, 1999

Baz's speech is our only speech that's spoken over a score music. Narrated by the actor Lee Perry, the song reached number one in the UK and features witty advice like 'Be kind to your knees – you'll miss them when they're gone.' So true.

24. Scarlett Johansson, DNC Speech, 2012 

25. Sally Field, Oscars Acceptance, 1985

Famously gushing, and also misinterpreted, Sally Field's emotional speech saw her utter the lines 'I can't deny the fact that you like me, right now, you like me!'. She was parodying a line from her role in Norma Rae for which she had one the Oscar, but it went over many people's heads and the line has been satirised in many speeches since.

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Angelina Jolie is being honoured with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Oscar for her incredible charity work. This 2009 speech she gave on World Refugee Day shows exactly why she deserves the award. And a dozen more.

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55 Speeches by Influential People of the 21st Century

From Sir Ken Robinson to Steve Jobs

Best TED Talks: 10 inspirational speeches you absolutely have to hear

Looking for a good TED Talk to expand your worldview? Here are 10 of the best

The best TED Talks make you think, leave you inspired and, very often, make you laugh as well. We've been watching Ted Talks evolve and grow over the last 15 years and have come to treasure the nuggets of wisdom they impart. 

But if you're just discovering Ted Talks for the first time - or feel like you've missed a bunch throughout the years - we want to help you dive head-first into the heady lecture series with a round-up of our absolute favorites: What you'll find below is a collection of personal picks from the TechRadar team that we feel best exemplify what a Ted Talk can be. 

Not seeing one of your favorite talks below? Drop me an email and I'll try to add it to the list.

How to gain control of your free time by Laura Vanderkam 

There’s a certain irony in watching a YouTube video on how to save time, but Laura Vanderkam’s talk is worth the 10 minutes of your life. It’s all built on the basic idea that shaving 5 minutes here and there from your favorite activities isn’t really going to give you more control of your life - rather, you need to set priorities for yourself and then build a schedule around those priorities. 

The hilarious example Vanderkam offers is that, instead of skipping commercials to save eight minutes of every half hour of TV you watch, maybe you could just watch a little less TV and do something else with your time. The message is simple, effective and engaging, all the hallmarks of a good TED Talk.

What makes a good life? Lessons from the longest study on happiness by Robert Waldinger 

“Good relationships keep us healthier and happier. Period.” That’s the results of a landmark study of happiness conducted by more than four generations of researchers over the last 75 years, tracking hundreds of participants and measuring every facet of their lives. 

This Ted Talk takes awhile to get to the juicy details but the story of this preternatural study on happiness illustrates the lengths the researchers have gone through to get this invaluable data that shows us what makes people happy at the end of their lives. The results sound simple - almost infuriatingly so - but the lesson here is that anyone can be happy with the right relationships in their lives. 

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The game that can give you 10 extra years of life by Jane McGonigal 

Gamers, it turns out, are pretty awesome. They’re committed to saving virtual worlds and with the right skills and focus they might be able to save the physical world, too. McGonigal, a game developer and author, has spent years creating different apps and games that use in-game rewards to push players to solve real world problems. 

The talk, which is a bit long at 20 minutes, walks the audience through her previous experiences creating these games and the research data that she uses to get gamers engaged before diving into Superbetter, the app she developed to make everyone who plays it live better, fuller lives.  

 The art of asking by Amanda Palmer 

Former busker-turned-successful-musician Amanda Palmer has a key lesson for everyone: don’t be afraid to ask. Society puts an inherent shame on those who ask - whether that’s for financial help or security, emotional help or even basic requests like where to find something - when, in fact, asking for help is one of the best things we can do. Asking, Palmer says, is inherently human and powerful, it allows us to create connections and leverage those connections to do more. That was evident when she wanted to crowdfund her band’s next CD, asking for $100,000, and raising over a million dollars instead. 

The point here is that next time you look down on someone asking, instead view them with compassion and make a connection - because in the long run that’s more powerful, more effective and, well, more human.  

The first 20 hours -- how to learn anything by Josh Kaufman 

Have you ever heard the old adage about needing to spend 10,000 hours to learn a skill? Good news, it's wrong. As it turns out, the research that factoid is taken from was studying experts in their respective fields, and not, say, the average trombonist. 

In this talk, new father Josh Kaufman walks us through how long it actually takes to learn a skill - which, incidentally, is only around 20 hours. Now sure, 20 hours of practice isn't going to make you the next Bobby Fischer, but it will be enough time to teach you the basics and, most importantly, how to auto-correct yourself when you've done something amiss. If you've ever felt like the ship has sailed on learning a new language, playing an instrument or learning a new skill, this talk is for you.

Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong by Johann Hari 

Journalist and author Johann Hari (Lost Connections, Chasing the Scream) offers a wide-ranging look at addiction in this 14-minute talk, whether that’s addiction to hard drugs, alcohol, or the endlessly-updating feeds on our smartphones.

We tend to think of addiction as a problem caused by the substance itself. We say that phones are addictive, or heroin is addictive – but Hari makes a case for a more nuanced understanding, one that sees how social circumstance affects our propensity for addiction, and the difference that strong bonds to those around us can make.

The power of vulnerability by Brené Brown 

With over 47 million views, Brené Brown’s Ted Talk on the power of vulnerability is one of the most watched Ted Talks of all time, and for good reason. 

In this 20-minute presentation, Brown shares what she’s learnt about the nature of shame, and how our fear of vulnerability prevents us from being able to fully embrace ourselves. As a researcher trained to “control and predict” phenomena, she shares her difficulty accepting the idea that to live fully is to stop attempting to “control and predict” at all.

An incredibly powerful talk that shows you – rather than just telling you – what it means to be vulnerable, and explores what a world that embraces vulnerability might look like.

Meeting the Enemy: A feminist comes to terms with the Men’s Rights movement by Cassie Jaye 

What filmmaker Cassie Jaye does here that’s so special is that she walks us through an immense period of growth in her life thought-by-thought. At one point a stringent feminist, Jaye began a documentary about the Men’s Rights movement that asks for the acknowledgement of certain, specific issues that men face - a movement she thought ran counter to the central points of feminism. 

What she learned in over a hundred hours of interviews with men’s rights activists is that these men didn’t want fewer rights for women, but some of the same care and devotion to some of the issues impacting men like veteran care, suicide, disproportionate parental control, length of prison sentences and others that do well and truly impact the life of men. The evolution of Jaye’s thoughts and the admission of her own preconceived notions is enthralling from beginning to end. 

How I climbed a 3,000-foot vertical cliff without ropes by Alex Honnold 

If you don’t have time for the excellent - but nearly two-hour - documentary Free Solo, check out this 10-minute Ted Talk by legendary rock-climber Alex Honnold who did something many thought to be impossible - or at least incredibly dangerous - when he climbed El Capitan, a sheer rock face in Yosemite National Park without ropes. 

Honnold’s Ted Talk gives a great overview of the climb, as well as his previous experiences leading up to it. Listening to Honnold describe certain parts of the trek are legitimately sweat-inducing and his experiences post-climb are both hilarious and heart-warming. It’s well-worth the watch. 

This is what happens when you reply to spam email by James Veitch 

Not all Ted Talks have to be heady ventures to the core of who we are. They can, in fact, just be funny and lighthearted, too. There’s no better example of these kinds of talks than the ones given by James Veitch (yes there’s more than one) wherein he takes annoying-but-easily-ignorable situations like unsubscribing from an email chain and turn them into absurdly funny matches of verbal wit between two utterly committed individuals. If you need a laugh after all this profound introspection, Veitch’s talks are the best bet. 

BONUS: Bobby McFerrin Demonstrates the Power of the Pentatonic Scale 

OK, while this one technically isn’t a Ted Talk, it has the spirit of one and includes Bobby McFerrin, which really just sells itself. 

Just try not to sing along, it's impossible not to.

• Looking for more things to watch? Check out our list of the best Netflix shows

Nick Pino is Managing Editor, TV and AV for TechRadar's sister site, Tom's Guide. Previously, he was the Senior Editor of Home Entertainment at TechRadar, covering TVs, headphones, speakers, video games, VR and streaming devices. He's also written for GamesRadar+, Official Xbox Magazine, PC Gamer and other outlets over the last decade, and he has a degree in computer science he's not using if anyone wants it.

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'It Was Said' Podcast Breaks Down Iconic American Speeches

NPR's Scott Simon talks with historian Jon Meacham about his new podcast, It Was Said, which examines impactful speeches from modern American history.

SCOTT SIMON, HOST:

What makes a great public speech in America? Some are written by hand on an envelope, some by staff, some by committee, some are just spontaneous. In this political year, Jon Meacham, the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, has a podcast about American speeches called "It Was Said."

(SOUNDBITE OF MONTAGE)

MARTIN LUTHER KING JR: We've got some difficult days ahead. But it really doesn't matter with me now because I've been to the mountaintop.

BARACK OBAMA: (Singing) Amazing grace.

MEGHAN MCCAIN: The America of John McCain has no need to be made great again because America was always great.

SIMON: Jon Meacham joins us now from Nashville. Jon, thanks so much for being with us.

JON MEACHAM: Thank you, Scott.

SIMON: Was it a pleasure to revisit some of these speeches or, given political rhetoric nowadays, a little dispiriting?

MEACHAM: Both (laughter). The great thing about rhetoric is, you know, the original Greek sense of the word was not simply words in the air but words designed to create action. It was an explicit covenant, dialectic between the speaker and the audience. And what I find so fascinating about history in general and particularly these speeches is, it's not that it's a lost art because it was never a prevalent art. These speeches stand out not because they were common at the time but because they were uncommon.

SIMON: Your first episode delves into what led up to Martin Luther King's final speech from - we just heard a clip, become known as the Mountaintop speech. You follow that with an episode about a speech that occurred 24 hours later. Robert F. Kennedy, before a crowd of Black supporters in Indianapolis, has just learned that Dr. King has been assassinated.

(SOUNDBITE OF SPEECH)

ROBERT F KENNEDY: I have some very sad news for all of you. And that is that Martin Luther King was shot and was killed tonight in Memphis, Tenn. Martin Luther King dedicated his life to love and to justice between fellow human beings. He died in the cause of that effort.

SIMON: Some people urged him not to speak, didn't they?

MEACHAM: Particularly the police in Indianapolis were hoping that Senator Kennedy could be prevailed upon to not come from the airport. He had just flown in. It was John Lewis, future Congressman, icon of the movement, who said no. These people are here. They need their leader. They've lost one leader. And, of course, the poignant overhang of that evening is that two months and two days later, Robert Kennedy would be gunned down in Los Angeles.

SIMON: It's a very eloquent address that he obviously gives spontaneously. Then at one point, he says, my brother was also shot by a white man. In these times, is a trickier to say that, to suggest that John F. Kennedy was somehow brought down by the same kind of bigotry that Martin Luther King was?

MEACHAM: It's complicated now, and it was complicated then. One of the many things we lost at the Ambassador Hotel in June of 1968 was a political figure, a white man who had experienced something of the pain that Americans had experienced by losing his brother to an assassin. And, you know, that speech in Indianapolis really ends on this note from the Greeks, from Aeschylus, that pain is inevitable. And the question we have to face is, what do we do with that pain? And RFK's plea to that audience was to rise above the hate and try to love, which is what Dr. King had lived - that, in fact, the country is stronger and better the more just and the more fair it is for all.

SIMON: Let me ask you about another speech - Barbara Jordan...

MEACHAM: Yeah.

SIMON: ...Keynote of the 1976 Democratic National Convention. She said the difference between other previous Democratic conventions was right in front of them, a Black woman delivering the keynote speech.

BARBARA JORDAN: I feel that notwithstanding the past that my presence here is one additional bit of evidence that the American dream need not forever be deferred.

SIMON: A very powerful speech - and interestingly, when you hear it nowadays, it was not as political as the standards of a political convention might be.

MEACHAM: It's a powerful document. I urge folks to go read it. It was six days after the bicentennial of the United States, after the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It was Monday, July 12, 1976. Barbara Jordan was from a family of Baptist ministers. Her grandfather was hugely important to her. She was the first Black woman in the Texas State Senate. She was the American story. And what she speaks to in that speech is, I am the embodiment of the promise of the declaration when, in fact, we live up to the full implications of that promise.

SIMON: Let me ask you about a Ronald Reagan speech. This one, his farewell address from the Oval Office, 1989 - none of this, your favorite president or I hear they like me. This is what he said.

RONALD REAGAN: I wasn't a great communicator. But I communicated great things. And they didn't spring full bloom from my brow. They came from the heart of a great nation, from our experience, our wisdom, and our belief in the principles that have guided us for two centuries.

SIMON: Now, you struck by the fact that the landscape of the world had changed in so many ways with the collapse of the USSR, which President Reagan noted. He didn't take credit for it. He didn't gloat over it - on the contrary.

MEACHAM: To me, the most remarkable line in that speech - and it tells you everything you need to know about the Republican Party in the 21st century - is President Reagan said that he had always thought of the shining city on a hill, the line from Jesus and John Winthrop that only Ronald Reagan could improve upon.

SIMON: (Laughter).

MEACHAM: They said city upon a hill, he added shining. But he said that he wanted it to be a place where all the lost pilgrims from all the lost places who are hurtling through the darkness toward home would find a rest and a refuge. And in 1989, a Republican president could still talk about a big-hearted, big tent conservatism - some people will think that's an oxymoron. But this is a big, complicated country. And can you imagine a world where a single presidential candidate would carry 49 states, which he did in 1984 - you know, at Christmas, they ask him what he wanted for Christmas in 1984. He said Minnesota.

MEACHAM: The first-person pronoun - the point you make, Scott, is exactly right. It wasn't about, I want praise.

SIMON: And equality in great public speeches that you find runs through all of them?

MEACHAM: The capacity to bring the many into conversation with the few. It really is about we, the people, more than I, the person, the speaker. And to be lifted as one, as opposed to one person being elevated above everyone else, I think tends to be a characteristic of oratory that endures because that's - at its best, that's the American message that endures.

SIMON: Jon Meacham - his new podcast, "It Was Said" - thank you so much for being with us.

MEACHAM: Thanks, Scott.

(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)

Copyright © 2020 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

Correction Sept. 12, 2020

In a previous version of this story, we incorrectly said Barbara Jordan was the first black woman in Congress. She was the first black woman representing Texas in Congress.

Here Are the Most Powerful Speeches From March For Our Lives in Washington

H undreds of March For Our Lives rallies took place across the country and around the world Saturday as people called for action on gun violence.

The rallies included hundreds of thousands of protesters and speeches from activists and survivors of shootings, including survivors of the Parkland, Fla. shooting David Hogg and Emma González.

The speeches, from Parkland students and others around the country, called on law makers to take action on gun control.

Here are some of the best speeches from the March For Our Lives:

Parkland shooting survivor David Hogg spoke at the Washington D.C. March For Our Lives rally.

“We are going to make this the voting issue. We are going to take this to every election, to every state and every city. When politicians send their thoughts and prayers with no action, we say, ‘No more.’ And to those politicians supported by the NRA, that allow the continued slaughter of our children and our future, I say get your resumes ready,” Hogg said.

Naomi Wadler

Naomi Wadler , at just 11, took the stage to address gun violence against African American women and girls that is under-reported.

“I am here today to acknowledge and represent the African-American girls whose stories don’t make the front page of every national newspaper. These stories don’t lead on the evening news,” Wadler said at the Washington D.C. March for Our Lives rally .

Emma González

“In a little over six minutes, 17 of our friends were taken from us, 15 more were injured, and everyone — absolutely everyone in the Douglas community — was forever altered,” Emma González said during her speech .

González opened her speech by addressing the Parkland shooting before making her most impactful statement of the speech by remaining silent. She then did not speak while she remained on stage for just over four minutes before a timer went off.

“Since the time that I came out here, it has been six minutes and 20 seconds,” she said after remaining silent. “The shooter has ceased shooting and will soon abandon his rifle, blend in with the students as they escape, and walk free for an hour before arrest. Fight for your lives before it’s someone else’s job.”

Yolanda Renee King

“My grandfather had a dream that his four little children will not be judged by the color of the skin, but the content of their character. I have a dream that enough is enough. And that this should be a gun-free world, period,” Yolanda Renee King , 9, standing alongside Parkland shooting survivor Jaclyn Corin, referencing her grandfather Martin Luther King’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech.

King made a surprise appearance at the Washington D.C. March For Our Lives Rally.

Alex King and D’Angelo McDade

Alex King and D’Angelo McDade, both students from North Lawndale College Prep in Chicago and members of the student non-violence group the Peace Warriors, walked out on stage with duct tape over their mouths. King and McDade had met with Parkland students in Florida last month as part of an outreach to groups that have not benefited from the attention of wall-to-wall news coverage that the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas had.

“When will we as a nation understand that nonviolence is the way of a life for a courageous people? When will we as a nation understand that we are not here to fight against one another and we are here to fight for life and peace?” McDade said. “Dr. King once said, ‘Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.’ Which now leads me to say that violence cannot drive out violence, only peace can do that.”

He added, “As I stand here before you, I stand as D’Angelo McDade, an 18-year-old from the West Side of Chicago. I, too, am a victim, a survivor and a victor of gun violence. I come from a place where minorities are controlled by both violence and poverty… but today we say ‘No more!’ ”

Cameron Kasky

Cameron Kasky, who also attends Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and survived the Parkland shooting, spoke in Washington D.C. Kaksy read aloud the names of victims of the shooting, wishing one of the Nicholas Dworet a happy birthday. Dworet, who would have turned 18 next month, was killed in the shooting.

“My generation — having spent our entire lives seeing mass shooting after mass shooting — has learned that our voices are powerful and our votes matter. We must educate ourselves and start conversations that keep our country moving forward and we will. We hereby promise to fix the broken system we’ve been forced into and create a better world for the generations to come. Don’t worry, we’ve got this,” Kasky said.

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Morning Carpool

19 Timeless Speeches That Still Echo in Today’s World

Posted: February 12, 2024 | Last updated: February 12, 2024

From the inspiring eloquence of Martin Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” to the modern-day rallying cries for change, the power of a great speech can echo through the ages. These historic political speeches reverberate with the voices of leaders past and still inspire hope and change today.

Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream

In August 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a powerful speech that became a defining moment in the civil rights movement. Standing before a massive crowd at the Lincoln Memorial, he spoke of his vision for a future where people would be judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. This speech remains a poignant reminder of the struggle for racial equality. An online commenter reflected, “King’s words still echo in our society, reminding us of the journey ahead.”

Winston Churchill’s Fight on the Beaches

During World War II, Winston Churchill delivered this stirring speech to the House of Commons in June 1940. He detailed a grim scenario of the fall of France to Nazi Germany but rallied the British people with a promise of indomitable resistance. The speech is celebrated for its defiant tone and Churchill’s remarkable oratory skills. It encapsulates the spirit of British resilience in the face of adversity.

John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address

On January 20, 1961, John F. Kennedy delivered an inaugural speech that would be remembered for generations. He urged American citizens to contribute to the public good, famously stating, “Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country.” The speech is a masterful blend of idealism and patriotism. It continues to inspire public service and civic responsibility.

Nelson Mandela’s Inaugural Address as President

In 1994, Nelson Mandela, as South Africa’s first black president, delivered a unifying inaugural address. He spoke of a new era of peace and equality, transcending years of apartheid. Mandela’s words fostered a sense of hope and reconciliation in a deeply divided nation. His speech is a testament to the power of forgiveness and unity.

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Fear of Fear Itself

Amidst the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt took office and delivered this iconic inaugural address in 1933. His speech aimed to restore American confidence and hope. Roosevelt’s words galvanized a nation in despair, setting the stage for his New Deal policies. This speech is a classic example of a leader uplifting a nation through the power of words.

Barack Obama’s Yes We Can Speech

Barack Obama’s 2008 speech following the New Hampshire primary was a defining moment in his presidential campaign. He spoke of change and unity, resonating with a diverse electorate. The speech’s optimistic tone and inclusive message captured the imagination of millions. Obama’s eloquence and charisma made “Yes We Can” a slogan for hope and progress.

Queen Elizabeth II’s Address on Coronavirus Pandemic

In 2020, during a global crisis, Queen Elizabeth II delivered a rare televised address. She offered words of comfort and solidarity, invoking the resilient spirit of past generations. Her calm and reassuring presence provided a sense of stability in uncertain times. This speech is remembered for its empathetic tone and message of unity.

Margaret Thatcher’s Not for Turning

In 1980, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher delivered a speech at the Conservative Party Conference. She firmly defended her economic policies amidst growing opposition. Thatcher’s unwavering stance and powerful delivery exemplified her leadership style. An online commenter remarked, “Thatcher’s speech symbolizes the strength and conviction needed in leadership.”

Ronald Reagan’s Tear Down This Wall

In 1987, Ronald Reagan stood at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin and challenged Mikhail Gorbachev to “tear down this wall.” His speech symbolized the United States’ stand against communism and the division of Berlin. Reagan’s direct and bold rhetoric marked a pivotal moment in the Cold War. The speech remains a symbol of the struggle for freedom against oppressive regimes.

Indira Gandhi’s Green Revolution Speech

As the Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi addressed the nation on the importance of agricultural development and self-reliance. Her speech in the late 1960s laid the groundwork for the Green Revolution in India. Gandhi’s vision and leadership were instrumental in transforming India’s food production. This speech reflects the power of political will in addressing national challenges.

Justin Trudeau’s Apology to the LGBTQ Community

In 2017, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a historic apology to the LGBTQ community. He acknowledged past injustices and discrimination faced by LGBTQ individuals. Trudeau’s speech was notable for its sincerity and commitment to equality. A commenter observed, “Trudeau’s apology marked a significant moment of healing and progress.”

Michelle Obama’s We Go High Speech

At the 2016 Democratic National Convention, Michelle Obama delivered a speech that resonated deeply with many. She addressed the negative tone of the political discourse and urged a higher moral ground. Her eloquent delivery and powerful message made the speech memorable. Obama’s speech is a testament to the importance of integrity and kindness in politics.

Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address

In 1863, during the American Civil War, Abraham Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address. In just a few minutes, he redefined the purpose of the war and the concept of democracy. Lincoln’s profound and concise words are a masterpiece of political oratory. The Gettysburg Address continues to inspire and enlighten.

Angela Merkel’s Refugee Crisis Speech

In 2015, German Chancellor Angela Merkel addressed the European refugee crisis. She advocated for compassion and a unified approach to handling the influx of refugees. Merkel’s leadership and humanitarian stance were evident in her speech. A commenter said, “Merkel’s words reflect the moral responsibility of nations in times of crisis.”

Narendra Modi’s Make in India Speech

In 2014, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the “Make in India” initiative. He emphasized the need for India to become a global manufacturing hub. Modi’s speech was a call to action for economic development and innovation. The initiative reflects Modi’s vision for India’s economic future.

Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points

In 1918, President Woodrow Wilson presented the Fourteen Points, outlining his vision for post-World War I peace. His speech to Congress advocated for national self-determination and a league of nations. Wilson’s idealistic approach and articulate presentation were groundbreaking. The Fourteen Points laid the foundation for modern international relations.

Vladimir Putin’s Crimea Speech

In 2014, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the Duma regarding the annexation of Crimea. He spoke of historical ties and strategic interests, justifying the controversial move. Putin’s speech was a display of assertiveness and nationalistic sentiment. It remains a subject of international debate and analysis.

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

• Today's paper

Great speeches of the 20th century

JFK's speechwriter Ted Sorensen: 'Speeches are great when they reflect great decisions'

Ted Sorensen, one of President John F Kennedy's key advisers, discusses the art of writing speeches

The most hunted person of the modern age

Mourning the people's princess.

Weapons for squalid and trivial ends

This speech was delivered to the House of Commons on December 5 1956.

The greatest Commons performance

Weapons for squalid and trivial ends - part 1, weapons for squalid and trivial ends - part 2, shakespeare's sister.

Versions of this speech were delivered by Woolf at Girton and Newnham colleges, University of Cambridge, on October 20 & 26 1928.

An impassioned call to action

Kate Mosse: Woolf's speech was a brilliant interweaving of personal experience, imaginative musing and political clarity.

A Tryst with Destiny

This speech was delivered by Jawaharlal Nehru to the Constituent Assembly of India in New Delhi on August 14 1947.

Great speeches: Jawaharlal Nehru Noble words

Nehru's sentences were finely made and memorable

Great speeches: Margaret Thatcher The lady's not for turning

Edited text: This speech was delivered to the Conservative party conference in Brighton on October 10 1980.

Great speeches: Margaret Thatcher Strength in the face of adversity

The flame of French resistance

These speeches were delivered by Charles de Gaulle and broadcast by the BBC on June 18, 19 and 22 1940.

Rallying call

I have a dream

This speech was delivered by Martin Luther King on August 28 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial, Washington.

Great speeches: Martin Luther King Great speeches: Its brilliance was in its simplicity

Introduction to Martin Luther King's 'I have a dream' speech

Great speeches of the 20th century: Emmeline Pankhurst's Freedom or death

This is an edited version of a speech delivered by Emmeline Pankhurst in Hartford, Connecticut on November 13 1913.

Freedom or death - part 1

• Margaret Thatcher
• Conservatives
• Charles de Gaulle
• Martin Luther King
• Original writing

The 24 Best Motivational Speeches Our Employees Have Ever Heard

Published: July 19, 2023

It was halftime during one of my 7th-grade football games. And we were losing 14 - 0. With our knees planted in the grass, my team was quietly huddled, drenched in sweat and defeat. Suddenly, it was game over.

That's when our assistant coach burst into our circle and shattered our pity party, delivering one of the best motivational speeches I've heard to this day.

I can't directly quote him because he said some inappropriate things for a blog post (and, in hindsight, probably for a bunch of 13-year-olds too).

The point is he harnessed the power of words to rejuvenate a physically and emotionally drained team. And we came back clawing to win the game.

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• Qualities of Confident People
• Leading By Example
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Click this link to access this resource at any time.

Motivational Speech

A motivational speech can come from anywhere or anyone, but it usually has a specific audience in mind.

Whether it's a graduation speech, an all-company meeting, a championship sporting event, or a conference keynote, these speeches are designed to change how their listeners see the challenges facing them in the future.

Like in sports, being motivated at work is crucial for your performance. This rings especially true when you have a looming deadline, an important meeting, or colleagues or customers depending on your performance.

Think about the last time you felt generally unmotivated. What brought you out of that feeling? Sometimes all it takes to get you going is a good night's sleep or witnessing the benefits of your labor.

Still, other times, you might listen to someone say something that resonates with you — that alters how you've been looking at a particular task or problem.

Motivational speeches and speakers can come in all different forms, but this is the one thing they have in common — resonance. They resonate with the right listener at the right time and in the right way.

Who knows, this article is doing some for you right now. (I can dream, can't I?)

We selected 24 of the best motivational speeches from business, sports, entertainment, and other fields to help you stay motivated no matter what your work throws at you. Watch these videos if you want to feel inspired by a project.

Trust me, I was wiping my eyes after I saw them. And while the messages vary from speech to speech, they can put you in the optimal frame of mind for tackling and crushing your next big challenge.

(Disclaimer: Some speeches may contain NSFW language.)

Elon Musk: "The Importance of Never Giving Up" (2020)

Angela Ahrendts: "Leading with Empathy" (2023)

Arianna Huffington: "The Power of Sleep" (2023)

Tim Cook: "Inclusion and Diversity" (2023)

J.K. Rowling: “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination” (2008)

Sheryl Sandberg: "Lean In" (2021)

Jim Carrey: Commencement Speech at Maharishi University of Management (2014)

Steve Jobs: "How to Live Before You Die" (2005)

Matthew McConaughey: "The Pursuit of Happiness" (2022)

Denzel Washington: "Fall Forward" (2011)

Vera Jones: “But the Blind Can Lead the Blind…” (2016)

Oprah Winfrey: "The Power of Self-Belief" (2020)

Charlie Day: Merrimack College Commencement Speech (2014)

Brené Brown: "The Power of Vulnerability" (2013)

Kobe Bryant: “The Path to Greatness" (2020)

David Foster Wallace: "This Is Water" (2005)

Carol Dweck: "The Growth Mindset" (2020)

Al Pacino: "Inch by Inch" (1999)

Satya Nadella: "Empowering Others" (2023)

Sylvester Stallone: Speech from Rocky Balboa (2006)

Will Smith: Speech from The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Mel Robbins: "The 5 Second Rule" (2020)

Angela Duckworth: "The Power of Grit" (2020)

Kurt Russell: “This is Your Time” (2004)

The Best Motivational Speeches of All Time

1. elon musk: "the importance of never giving up" (2020), theme of speech: perseverance and resilience.

Elon Musk's "The Importance of Never Giving Up" speech about perseverance and determination is decisive.

In this speech, Musk emphasizes failing and learning from failures as keys to success. He recounts his life and career, demonstrating how he overcame challenges.

One key takeaway from Musk's speech is his advice to adopt a growth mindset.

Musk encourages listeners to view setbacks as learning experiences. He also highlights the value of perseverance, persistence, and taking risks.

Elon Musk's word serves as an upbeat reminder that perseverance, patience, and the desire to attempt things repeatedly in the face of difficulty are essential for success.

"If something is important enough, even if the odds are against you, you should still do it."

2. Angela Ahrendts: "Leading with Empathy" (2023)

Theme of the speech: empathetic leadership....

The "Leading with Empathy" talk by Angela Ahrendts emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence and compassion in leadership.

According to Ahrendts, leaders must view their employees as whole people with lives outside of work. Leaders can instill trust, respect, and mutual support in their employees and organizations.

Ahrendts emphasizes the importance of team mission as well. Leaders can inspire their teams by connecting them to a greater goal.

She believes that working together fosters creativity, innovation, and growth.

"Leading with Empathy" is a powerful reminder that leadership requires more than technical knowledge. To truly inspire and motivate their employees, leaders must understand their emotional needs and create a supportive, inclusive environment.

"Empathy is the glue that holds relationships together, whether they are personal or professional."

3. Arianna Huffington: "The Power of Sleep" (2023)

Theme of the speech: sleep and productivity.

The Huffington Post's founder, Arianna Huffington, emphasized the importance of sleep to overall health. In her 2023 speech, "The Power of Sleep," she discusses how sleep deprivation affects our health, productivity, and happiness.

Huffington observes that we have been taught to sacrifice sleep for success. She also mentions that well-rested employees are more creative, efficient, and effective.

To address these issues, Huffington proposes a cultural shift that recognizes sleep as essential to health and wellness.

She advises individuals and organizations to prioritize sleep, avoid technology before bedtime, and create a restful sleep environment. Sleep, according to Huffington, is a necessity, not a luxury.

By recognizing the importance of sleep, people and businesses can enhance their health, productivity, and general well-being.

Arianna Huffington's "The Power of Sleep" speech in 2023 emphasizes the importance of sleep and the dangers of sleep deprivation.

It promotes a culture where getting enough sleep is essential for health and well-being.

"Sleep is the Swiss Army knife of health, it does everything."

4. Tim Cook: "Inclusion and Diversity" (2023)

Theme of the speech: inclusion and diversity.

Apple CEO Tim Cook advocates for inclusion and diversity. He has been instrumental in the company's initiatives to advance fairness and equality inside its ranks and across the technology sector.

Cook has prioritized diversity and inclusion at Apple because he believes it is proper and necessary for innovation and business success.

Unconscious bias training, diverse recruitment, and employee resource groups contributed to his success.

Outside of Apple, Cook has advocated for LGBTQ+ rights and immigration reform. He has raised awareness of these issues and advocated for social change as a business leader.

Tech leaders and others have lauded Cook's commitment to diversity and inclusion. He has raised awareness of these issues, leading to significant change at Apple and elsewhere.

"Inclusion and diversity are not just buzzwords, they are fundamental values that drive innovation and creativity."

5. J.K. Rowling: “The Fringe Benefits of Failure, and the Importance of Imagination” (2008)

Theme of speech: failure.

In J.K. Rowling's 2008 Harvard commencement speech, the Harry Potter author explored how two phenomena -- failure and imagination -- can be crucial to success.

While failure can help you understand where your true passion lies, and where you should focus your energy moving forward, imagination is what will allow you to empathize with other people so you can use your influence to do good.

“We do not need magic to change the world, we carry all the power we need inside ourselves already: we have the power to imagine better.”

"You have to understand your own personal DNA. Don't do things because I do them or Steve Jobs or Mark Cuban tried it. You need to know your personal brand and stay true to it."

6. Sheryl Sandberg: "Lean In" (2021)

Theme of the speech: gender equality and leadership.

Sheryl Sandberg's 2021 talk, "Lean In," encourages women to lean into their careers and leadership roles. She urges women to stand up for one another and themselves to overcome societal and cultural hurdles.

Sandberg highlights the need to have distinct objectives and goals and be prepared to take calculated risks to achieve them.

She also underlines how crucial it is for more female leaders to advance diversity and gender equality across all industries.

Sandberg's speech also emphasizes collaboration. She urges women to mentor other women and look for sponsors and mentors themselves.

The "Lean In" talk by Sheryl Sandberg emphasizes women's voices and perspectives in all aspects of society.

To remove barriers and foster more inclusive and varied workplaces and communities, Sandberg urges women to pursue their professional ambitions with confidence and with the help of their communities.

"We need women at all levels, including the top, to change the dynamic, reshape the conversation, to make sure women's voices are heard and heeded, not overlooked and ignored."

7. Jim Carrey: Commencement Speech at Maharishi University of Management (2014)

Theme of speech: taking risks.

Jim Carrey might make a living as the goofiest comedian around, but in 2014, he combined classic Carrey humor with unforgettable insight at Maharishi University of Management's graduation ceremony.

Jim Carrey opened his speech dishing punchlines, but he eventually opened up about his upbringing and the role fear plays in our lives. You can actually hear the amazement in the students' reactions in the video above.

“I learned many great lessons from my father -- not the least of which is that you can fail at what you don't want, so you might as well take a chance on doing what you love.”

8. Steve Jobs: "How to Live Before You Die" (2005)

Theme of speech: life and career.

Considering the YouTube video of Steve Jobs' 2005 Stanford commencement speech has 24 million views, it's likely that you've seen this one already.

In the speech, Jobs plays on two themes: connecting the dots (anecdote: how taking a calligraphy class helped inspire the design of the Mac) and love & loss (anecdote: how getting fired from Apple helped inspire his greatest innovations).

Perhaps the most memorable part his speech comes at the end, when he quotes the (now-famous) lines from the final issue of his favorite publication, The Whole Earth Catalog:

“Stay hungry. Stay foolish.”

9. Matthew McConaughey: "The Pursuit of Happiness" (2022)

Theme of the speech: discovering true happiness and fulfillment in life..

In "The Pursuit of Happiness," famed actor and motivational speaker Matthew McConaughey provides his enlightened viewpoint on obtaining true happiness and fulfillment.

McConaughey presents a genuine and approachable study of what it means to live a fulfilling life through sincere storytelling and personal anecdotes.

The speech discusses the significance of authenticity and remaining true to oneself. McConaughey encourages people to define their success rather than succumb to social pressures or external expectations.

He stresses aligning our behaviors and decisions with our fundamental values and passions.

McConaughey expresses his conviction in the power of thankfulness and the importance of living in the present moment. He encourages people to create a grateful mindset, recognizing the blessings and possibilities surrounding them.

By appreciating the present and finding joy in the journey, individuals can experience more profound happiness and fulfillment.

"Happiness is not a destination. It's a state of mind, a journey, and a choice we make every day."

10. Denzel Washington: "Fall Forward" (2011)

In his 2011 UPenn commencement speech, Denzel Washington highlighted three reasons why we need to embrace failure in order to be successful. First, everybody will fail at something at some point, so you better get used to it.

Second, if you never fail, take that as a sign that you're not really trying. And third, at the end of the day, failure will help you figure out what path you want to be on.

“Fall forward. Here's what I mean: Reggie Jackson struck out twenty-six-hundred times in his career — the most in the history of baseball. But you don't hear about the strikeouts. People remember the home runs.

Fall forward.

Thomas Edison conducted 1,000 failed experiments. Did you know that? I didn't know that—because #1,001 was the light bulb. Fall forward. Every failed experiment is one step closer to success.”

11. Vera Jones: “But the Blind Can Lead the Blind…” (2016)

Theme of speech: perseverance.

Last year at INBOUND, Vera Jones told a moving story about the life lessons she's learned from raising her blind son.

She explains how having faith in your future and letting it lead you toward your true purpose will help you overcome blinding obstacles.

She also discusses how following your passion and trusting your vision develops empathy, which is a critical leadership skill.

“Passionately play your position no matter how bad things get. You are significant. Why we are here is not for our own glory. Ultimately, we're here to lead and serve everybody else. By doing that, we encourage others to do the same.”

12. Oprah Winfrey: "The Power of Self-Belief" (2020)

Theme of Speech: Self-Belief and Confidence

Oprah Winfrey's 2020 speech "The Power of Self-Belief" emphasized the importance of self-assurance. She attributed her success to her unwavering self-assurance.

According to Oprah, self-belief is not about being arrogant or overconfident. She stresses the significance of overcoming self-doubt and fear, which can prevent people from reaching their goals.

Oprah used personal stories to demonstrate how self-confidence has aided her in life and work. She encouraged her audience to believe in themselves and to embrace their inner strength.

The Power of Self-Belief" reminded us how important it is to have faith in ourselves and our ability to succeed.

"The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams."

13. Charlie Day: Merrimack College Commencement Speech (2014)

Best known for his role in the sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, actor Charlie Day had lots of wisdom to share during the 2014 commencement speech at his alma mater, Merrimack College.

Day explained to the audience how college degrees are inherently valueless, since you can't trade them in for cash. Instead, it's you, your hard work, and the risks you take that provide real value in life.

“You cannot let a fear of failure or a fear of comparison or a fear of judgment stop you from doing the things that will make you great. You cannot succeed without the risk of failure.

You cannot have a voice without the risk of criticism. You cannot love without the risk of loss. You must take these risks.”

14. Brené Brown: "The Power of Vulnerability" (2013)

The video above is an animated excerpt from researcher Brené Brown's speech, " The Power of Vulnerability ." In the speech, Brown explores how our fear of not being good enough (among other fears) drives us to shield ourselves from our own vulnerabilities.

The alternative to wearing this emotional suit of armor: Embrace vulnerability through empathizing with others.

"Empathy is a choice, and it's a vulnerable choice. Because in order to connect with you, I have to connect with something in myself that knows that feeling."

15. Kobe Bryant: “The Path to Greatness" (2020)

Theme of the speech: embracing dedication, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of greatness..

Bryant emphasizes setting ambitious goals and working tirelessly to achieve them. Through captivating storytelling and personal anecdotes, he reveals the sacrifices and relentless effort required to excel at the highest level.

Bryant's speech is a testament to the power of hard work, discipline, and a growth mindset in attaining greatness.

The speech also explores embracing failure as a stepping stone to success. Bryant shares how setbacks and challenges can fuel personal growth and resilience.

He encourages individuals to embrace failure, learn from it, and use it as motivation to push beyond their limits.

Bryant's speech goes beyond the realm of sports, offering valuable insights and life lessons applicable to all areas of life.

His relentless pursuit of greatness and unwavering commitment to excellence inspires individuals striving to achieve their goals and dreams.

"I have self-doubt. I have insecurity. I have fear of failure. I have nights when I show up at the arena and I'm like, 'My back hurts, my feet hurt, my knees hurt. I don't have it. I just want to chill.'

We all have self-doubt. You don't deny it, but you also don't capitulate to it. You embrace it."

16. David Foster Wallace: "This Is Water" (2005)

From the opening minutes of David Foster Wallace's 2005 Kenyon College commencement speech , in which he questions commencement speech conventions, it's clear that Wallace has some serious wisdom to share.

The crux of his speech: Many of us are oblivious to our own close-mindedness. We picture ourselves as the centers of our own, individual universes, instead of seeing the bigger, more interconnected picture.

“If you're automatically sure that you know what reality is and who and what is really important, if you want to operate on your default setting, then you, like me, probably won't consider possibilities that aren't annoying and miserable.

But if you've really learned how to think, how to pay attention, then you'll know you have other options.

It will actually be within your power to experience a crowded, hot, slow, consumer hell-type situation as not only meaningful, but sacred — on fire with the same force that lit the stars: love, fellowship, the mystical oneness of all things deep down.”

17. Carol Dweck: "The Growth Mindset" (2020)

Theme of the speech: cultivating a growth mindset for personal and professional development..

In "The Growth Mindset," Carol Dweck, a renowned psychologist, and author, delivers an enlightening speech on the power of adopting a growth mindset for personal and professional growth.

Dweck's extensive research on mindset and achievement provides the foundation for her impactful message.

Dweck explains the difference between a fixed mindset, where individuals believe their abilities are fixed traits, and a growth mindset, where individuals believe their abilities can be developed through effort and learning.

She demonstrates how a growth mindset fosters resilience, learning, and innovation through relatable stories and compelling examples.

Dweck's speech resonates with individuals seeking personal and professional development, as she provides insights into how adopting a growth mindset can positively impact all areas of life.

Her research-based approach and engaging speaking style make "The Growth Mindset" an inspiring resource for individuals striving for continuous growth and improvement.

"The passion for stretching yourself and sticking to it, even when it's not going well, is the hallmark of the growth mindset."

Famous Short Speeches With Inspirational Takeaways

18. al pacino: "inch by inch" (1999), theme of speech: teamwork.

Yes, this speech is from a football movie (Any Given Sunday), but trust me: This isn't your stereotypical rah-rah-go-get-'em sports speech. It's deeper than that. It's about life, and loss, and ... gosh darn it just listen to Al Pacino.

He's pouring his soul out!

“Either we heal as a team or we're gonna crumble, inch by inch, play by play, till we're finished. We're in hell right now, gentlemen, believe me.

And we can stay here and get the $&#@ kicked out of us, or we can fight our way back into the light. We can climb out of hell, one inch at a time.”

19. Satya Nadella: "Empowering Others" (2023)

Theme of the Speech: Empowerment and Collaboration

Satya Nadella's 2023 lecture, "Empowering Others," emphasizes the importance of leadership that empowers others rather than focusing on personal success.

He emphasizes the importance of leaders cultivating a culture of inclusion and belonging in which everyone feels respected and able to accomplish their best work.

Nadella also discusses the significance of technology in positive development. Some of society's most important issues may be resolved by technology, but proper development and application are required.

According to Nadella, empathy and emotional intelligence are essential for outstanding leadership. He suggests that Leaders listen to and understand. their team members' needs and motivations.

Leaders can develop a culture of trust and collaboration that will help the team flourish.

Satya Nadella's "Empowering Others" provides a special message about leadership in the current day. By emphasizing diversity, empathy, and responsible innovation, Nadella encourages audiences to strive for excellence while being mindful of their impact on others and the world.

"Success is not just about what we achieve individually, but what we enable others to achieve."

20. Sylvester Stallone: Speech from Rocky Balboa (2006)

Theme of speech: never give up.

I had to put this one next since it plays along the same themes as Denzel Washington's UPenn speech. In the scene above, from the 2006 film Rocky Balboa, the title character (played by Sylvester Stallone) is having a heart-to-heart with his son.

The advice he gives him: Don't let your failures or the adversity you face slow you down. Keep. Moving. Forward.

“Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place, and I don't care how tough you are, it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it.

You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard you hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done!”

21. Will Smith: Speech from The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)

Theme of speech: don’t let them bring you down.

Here's another speech from the big screen, this time from the 2006 film The Pursuit of Happyness.

In the scene above, Will Smith's character explains to his son why he shouldn't pursue basketball (because he'll end up being "below average") before having a major change of heart.

“Don't ever let somebody tell you ... you can't do something. Not even me. All right? You got a dream. You gotta protect it. People can't do something themselves, they want to tell you can't do it. If you want something, go get it. Period.”

22. Mel Robbins: "The 5 Second Rule" (2020)

Theme of the Speech: Action and Overcoming Self-Doubt

The "The 5 Second Rule" speech by Mel Robbins promotes action to achieve goals and overcome concerns and doubts.

When confronted with a decision or action that needs to be completed but you are hesitating or procrastinating, countdown from 5, and then act. According to Robbins, this method breaks habit loops that keep us unhealthy.

Counting down and taking action may assist us in overcoming uncertainty and self-doubt and moving toward our objectives. For success, Robbins also promotes mentality and self-talk.

She believes that to realize our potential, we must consciously reframe negative thoughts and limiting beliefs.

Mel Robbins' presentation "The 5 Second Rule" is a practical and efficient technique to overcome procrastination and achieve goals.

Robbins inspires listeners to take command of their lives and achieve by emphasizing attitude, self-talk, and positive actions.

"You are never going to feel like doing the things that are tough, difficult, or uncertain, but you have a choice."

23. Angela Duckworth: "The Power of Grit" (2020)

Theme of the Speech: Spirit and Perseverance

Angela Duckworth examines the significance of perseverance and resilience in achievement in her book "The Power of Grit." According to Duckworth, grit—passion and determination—is essential for long-term success and overcoming obstacles.

Duckworth addresses grit and mentality, believing that people who view challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth rather than threats will develop resilience and determination over time.

She advocates for a growth mindset, which believes people can acquire intelligence and other qualities through hard work. Duckworth places a premium on rigorous practice to achieve skill and mastery.

She recommends soliciting feedback, setting challenging goals, and intentionally improving abilities and succeeding. Angela Duckworth's "The Power of Grit" illuminates long-term achievement.

Duckworth emphasizes attitude, focused practice, and resilience to urge listeners to acquire grit and pursue their passions with tenacity.

"Grit is passion and perseverance for very long-term goals. Grit is having stamina. Grit is sticking with your future, day in, day out, not just for the week, not just for the month, but for years, and working really hard to make that future a reality."

24. Kurt Russell: “This is Your Time” (2004)

Theme of speech: inspiring and believing in your team.

The Miracle on Ice is still considered the biggest upset in Olympic hockey history. And for good reason. The Soviet Union won six of the last seven Olympic gold medals, and the U.S. team consisted only of amateur players.

It was obvious the Soviets were better. But, in the movie Miracle, which told the incredible story of the 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team, Kurt Russell's character — Coach Herb Brooks — knew that this game was different.

The U.S. was better than the Soviets that day. And his speech conveyed such a strong belief in his team that they pulled off one of the greatest sports moments of the 20th century.

“If we played 'em ten times, they might win nine. But not this game… Not tonight. Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight, we stay with them. And we shut them down because we can!

Tonight, WE are the greatest hockey team in the world. You were born to be hockey players, every one of you. And you were meant to be here tonight. This is your time.”

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What are the most popular speeches of today and why?

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.

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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.

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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.

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The 30 Best Movie Inspirational Speeches

Cinema's most stirring oratories and spirit-raising team talks.

In times of trouble, you need a little help getting up and going, and film can often provide just that. Cinema has a long and storied history of providing great words of motivation and encouragement, sometimes for the characters' own benefit and occasionally to the audience. Here, we've chosen 30 of the best that should fit almost any occasion - but if you're really pressed for time, here are 40 condensed into a two-minute span { =nofollow}. If you have a little longer, read on!

Also: The 25 Best Movie Bollockings

The Great Dictator

Made at a time when the shadow of World War II was looming over Europe, Charlie Chaplin’s speech here – he’s playing a poor Jewish barber in disguise as a preening dictator and forced to address a Nuremberg-style rally – is a heartfelt plea for sanity and compassion in a time of madness. It’s the perfect antidote to extremism, and uses fiery rhetoric for good. If only we’d be able to pull this switcheroo in real life.

Buy The Great Dictator

Independence Day

Sure, there are cheesemongers with less cheese on offer than you see here and OK, the American jingoism doesn’t work at all for those of us not of a Yank disposition. But Bill Pullman’s slightly sheepish style blends here with steely determination, and he delivers the American St Crispin’s Day speech with conviction. Then, like any US President, he leaps into his fighter jet and flies off to battle aliens.

Buy Independence Day

For those who prefer a little humour in their motivational speeches, try the pitch-black streak in this opener, establishing Russell Crowe’s Maximus Decimus Meridius as a leader of men and a helluva guy. Galloping around the Legions in his cool armour and fur-lined cloak, you might question whether he really needs an entire army to back him up, but you’ll never doubt for a moment that they’d choose to follow him as he unleashes hell.

Buy Gladiator

Any Given Sunday

There’s a lot to be said for a little personal touch to leaven your high-flung rhetoric, and it’s a trick that Al Pacino uses well here, in the first of three American football speeches we’re going to include (hey, we can’t help it if the heavily-padded sport produces some great pep talks). Pacino’s troubled Tony D’Amato unveils his own problems with brutal honesty before using his own failures as a spur to rev on his team to greatness, speaking of team spirit and commitment as someone who has been known to suck at both.

Buy Any Given Sunday

Friday Night Lights

The film has been somewhat overshadowed nowadays by the equally good TV show that followed it, but watch Billy Bob Thornton here and be reminded that Kyle Chandler isn’t the only fundamentally decent man who can inspire a team of small-town boys to great efforts in pursuit of perfection. It’s also worth noting that he puts his emphasis here on excelling and not winning, making it clear that victory isn’t only measured by the scoreboard. Clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose.

Buy Friday Night Lights

It is, and will probably always be, the greatest inspirational speech ever made. It’s endlessly flexible, and works even when not declaimed by the classically trained (see this Renaissance Man version for proof). And it’s by Shakespeare, still the best writer in Hollywood. We have, controversially perhaps, chosen Branagh’s version over Olivier’s because the latter sounds a little shrill to the modern ear, while Branagh convinces us that he could convince his men. This speech, given by the titular monarch to a vastly outnumbered force about to fight the French, obviously works especially well for English people, but by God, Harry and St George, it’s universal in its rousing effect.

Buy Henry V

This is a little-known film in the UK but it’s revered in certain communities in the US. Sean Astin’s Rudy has overcome dyslexia, poor grades and his relatively small stature to win a place on Notre Dame’s famous Fighting Irish American football team. Only problem is that he’s never been off the bench, and with his final game approaching he threatens to quit the team if he isn’t allowed to play – prompting this inspirational speech / telling off from a friend who points out that he’s being whiny and entitled and needs to grow a pair. Soon he’s back on the bench and given a starting position when his entire team threatens not to play unless he’s given a shot.

An honourable mention for Hector’s pep talk but Achilles wins the battle of the inspirational speeches just as he wins their duel (c’mon, that’s not a spoiler; it’s in the 2000 year-old Iliad). This is a short snippet, but then godlike Achilles, the man-killer, is a man of action rather than words. And what he does say – focusing on lions, glory and the manifold abilities of his small, hand-picked group of Myrmidons – would convince a rock to fight any Trojan who dared oppose it.

Animal House

Not every inspirational speech is about trying to inspire his cohorts to kill people or batter them up and down the length of a football field. Some aspire to a higher goal. Some aspire to debauchery, drinking and probably nudity. Some aspire to party like 1999 might have done had it tried harder. Some aspire to a particular kind of grubby, deranged greatness. One such is John Belushi’s Bluto, and this is the greatest night of his life.

Buy Animal House

The Goonies

Come the hour, cometh the man – and in this case the man is a small, asthmatic Sean Astin, inspiring his fellow Goonies to never say die and to keep going in their quest to find treasure and save their community. In his yellow rain slicker and with his voice on the edge of breaking he may not look like a modern Napoleon, but he has the same effect on his exhausted and discouraged troopers. He’s so good you’ll almost forget to laugh at his mentions of One-Eyed Willy. snigger

Buy The Goonies

The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King

Death comes to us all, and Aragorn ain’t going to lie about it. But he still gees up his troops with the assurance that their civilisation will survive the onslaught of the forces of Mordor. Sure, they’re vastly outnumbered and sure, it seems likely that Frodo has failed in his quest to destroy the Ring in Mount Doom (especially if you’re watching the Extended Edition) but Viggo Mortensen’s Aragorn ensures that no one will be quitting any time soon. Not this day!

Buy The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King

Bill Murray isn’t usually the guy you turn to for sincere, inspiring words of comfort. He’s more the type to puncture any attempt at same, and probably to fast-talk his opponents into giving up and going for a karaoke session while he’s about it. But after his heart grows two sizes during the course of Scrooged, he makes a plea for kindness and niceness from all mankind. He still does it in a recognisably Murray, manic and scattershot way, but that just makes him all the more compelling. Someone hire this man to play Santa Claus.

Buy Scrooged

Stirring sports speeches are limited to American Football. Miracle On Ice chronicles the based-on-truth tale of how the US Olympic hockey team triumphed over their Russian rivals. Kurt Russell's the speech-giver here, playing coach Herb Brooks. "Tonight, we are the greatest hockey team in the world," he tells them. You'll feel a swell of pride and inspiration too.

Rent Miracle

Deep Blue Sea

“You think water’s fast? You should see ice.” Samuel L. Jackson’s been around the block more than once, and he’s seen the worst of mankind. It’s with the weight of that history behind him that he takes charge and orders his fellow survivors of a marine disaster to start pulling together and quit arguing. His speech also has what is, unquestionably, the greatest punchline on this list. Still, it achieves the desired effect once everyone has quit screaming.

Buy Deep Blue Sea

If in doubt, steal from classical history, something that David Wenham’s Dilios demonstrates with aplomb here. In actual history, the one survivor of the 300 was so shamed by his survival that he executed a suicidal one-man attack on the Persians at this Battle of Plataea, but Wenham seems more in control and also like he has quite a bit of back-up. “The enemy outnumber us a paltry three-to-one,” notes Dilios triumphantly. Why, it was hardly worth the Persians turning up.

Good Will Hunting

Here’s an inspirational speech well-suited to highly-paid sports teams and the enormously talented. Ben Affleck’s argument is, basically, that if you’re lucky enough to get extraordinary chances in your life, it’s your duty to the rest of us schmoes to actually take those chances and run with them as far as you can. If you can get past the shellsuit and the hair, he’s basically Yoda-like in his wisdom.

Buy Good Will Hunting

Most people only remember the last word – “Freedom!” – but the rest of the speech is pretty killer too. Mel Gibson’s William Wallace starts off by puncturing his own legend, and acknowledges the urge to cut and run in the face of a far superior English force. But then he reminds his men what they’d be missing if they do, and soon they’re all back on side and facing down the hated English. By the end of this speech, you’ll all hate the English with them – even if you are one.

Buy Braveheart

Coach Carter

You’d expect the inspiration in this basketball film to come from the titular no-nonsense coach, played by a fiery Samuel L. Jackson. But in fact it’s one of his players who nabs the best lines, as he and the team sit studying to keep their grades as high as their scores. There is a little cheating here: Rick Gonzalez’ Timo actually steals his inspirational speech from Marianne Williamson (it’s sometimes wrongly attributed to Nelson Mandela) but he delivers it well so we’re going to allow it.

Buy Coach Carter

While it’s his skills in the ring that he is most lauded for, Rocky Balboa is something of a poet to boot. An incoherent one, certainly; a poet who says “I guess” a lot more often than Wordsworth might like, but a poet nevertheless. His moving words here, as he single-handedly ends the Cold War and ushers in a new era of East-West relations, are just one example. Another is…

Buy Rocky IV

Rocky Balboa

If his last speech was incoherent – in fairness, his rhythm may have been thrown off by the translator – this one verges on incomprehensible when he really gets going. Still, there’s real passion in Rocky’s plea for one last shot and an argument that’s applicable to all sorts of situations of institutional injustice or unfeeling bureaucracy.

Buy Rocky Balboa

Stand And Deliver

Those who've watched him on the modern Battlestar Galactica know that Edward James Olmos is a past master at giving speeches. This is him from a little earlier in his career, playing Jaime Escalante, a real-life teacher who inspired his students to stop dropping out and start taking calculus seriously. Here, he's handing out as pop quiz, so anyone having to home school their kids can take note.

Rent Stand And Deliver

Good Night, And Good Luck

This one is couched particularly at media moguls, but there’s a call for excellence and the highest moral standards here that we would all do well to live by. David Strathairn’s Edward R. Murrow, in a speech lifted directly from Murrow’s actual address to the Radio and Television News Directors Association in 1958, pleads for TV to inform as well as entertain. We feel that if more people saw this speech, Made In Chelsea would be cancelled immediately and reality TV would be banned, so spread the word!

Buy Good Night, And Good Luck

Anyone who has ever flirted with a romantic interest knows the risk of being knocked back, and Jon Favreau's Mike is experiencing a crisis of confidence. Luckily for him, he has Vince Vaughn's Trent to talk him back into the game, and Alex Désert's Charles to remind him that he's so money. He's a bear! And she's a bunny! Everything is going to be fine.

Buy Swingers

Charles Dutton’s second appearance on this list, after Rudy, sees him once again reminding lesser men (and women) to get with the programme, pull the finger out and generally stand up and be counted. But this time they’re facing unstoppable acid-blooded xenomorphs rather than American football players, so he has to be extra-emphatic.

Buy Alien 3

Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End

Remarkably few women get to deliver inspirational speeches in movies – apparently they’re relegated to clapping admiringly from the sidelines. Thank goodness for Elizabeth Swan (Keira Knightley) who is elected King of the Pirates and rouses her troops into action for a last-ditch fight against the Lord Beckett’s overwhelming forces, led by the Flying Dutchman. She may not have quite the lungs of others on the list, but there’s no doubting her conviction as she calls for them to “Hoist the colours!” – the Jolly Roger – and sail out one last time.

Buy Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End

The Replacements

One doesn’t expect lengthy speeches from Keanu “Woah” Reeves (although he’s done his share of Shakespeare actually) but he’s rarely more succinct and to the point than in this chat with his fellow Replacements. And in fact there are few speeches more likely to be effective in motivating an exhausted team for one last effort. “Chicks dig scars” could be used by virtually every example here to drive on the listeners.

Buy The Replacements

Bill Murray at it again, and once more an unconventional speech. This time out, he's John Winger, a loser who decides that he and best pal Russell Ziskey (Harold Ramis) will join the Army. Stuck with a group of oddballs, and, after a night of partying, decides to rally his fellow troops. It works... Sort of. But Murray's typically laconic style works well for the speech itself.

Rent or buy Stripes

The Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King

All seems lost for Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin again) and Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood) as they lie, exhausted, on the slopes of Mount Doom. Frodo’s beyond endurance and raving as the influence of the Ring grows ever stronger on him, and his desperate straits drive Sam to one last push. It’s barely a speech, really – he uses his words better here – but there are few moments more inspirational.

Buy The Lord Of The Rings: Return of The King

The Shawshank Redemption

A quiet moment between Tim Robbins' Andy Dufresne and Morgan Freeman's Red became one of the more memorable moments in Shawshank , a movie with no shortage of them. And for those who are spending more time inside than perhaps they might be used to, Andy's musing on what he would do if he got out of prison are inspirational in themselves, even before he gets to that iconic line.

Rent The Shawshank Redemption

Avengers: Endgame

Steve Rogers, AKA Captain America, is not shy of breaking out speech mode when the moment calls for it. And inspiring the Avengers as they're about to embark on a trip through space and time to retrieve the Infinity Stones certainly seems like that moment. "Whatever it takes," indeed.

Rent Avengers: Endgame

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The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

Remarks by President   Biden and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan at State   Dinner

8:06 P.M. EDT

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Tonight, we celebrate the alliance between Japan and the United States.

And Jill and I are honored to have you all here, including so many members of the Japanese-American community.  And we’d like to extend a particular welcome to President Clinton and Secretary Clinton, who’ve joined us this evening.  (Applause.)

Mr. Prime Minister, Mrs. Kishida — Kishida, thank you for looking forward to this visit for a while.  We’ve been anxious for you to come.  I’m delighted you’re here.  And, you know, even the cherry blossom bloomed early in anticipation of your — (laughter).  Well, they did, by the way.  They really did.

And all of us — as you all know, those blossoms are the first sign of spring has arrived, and they remind us that we can begin anew every year and tomorrow can be a better day than today. It’s a symbol of both our countries — what h- — what b- — what both our countries hold dear: new beginnings.

So, thank you, again, for being here. 

And a few days after my inauguration over three years ago, I received a big, shiny, blue-and-red envelope covered with stickers on the envelope.  It was a big envelope.  And it was full of letters from an elementary school teacher in Japan who compiled them from her students.  She teaches children who stutter, like I did as a child.  And she wanted th- — me to know that when she told them — her class about — that I had a similar liability at the time, the kids lit up, smiling, and they said, “We’re the same.  We’re the same.”

Well, we are the same, Japan and the United States.  Many — we may be divided by distance, but the — generations after generation, we’ve been brought together — the same hopes, the same values, the same commitment to democracy and freedom and to dig- — dignity for all. 

And today, without question, our alliance is literally stronger than it has even been.  This was both not inevitable, but it was also — the fact is that both the Prime Minister and I came of age as our countries were — as they came together.  We both remember the choices that were made to forge a friendship that were once only a devastating — a fight that existed before.

We both remember that hard work, what it has done to find healing, and where there was once such hardship.  We both remember Japanese and American people who not only brought us together but who brought us forward, transforming our relationship for better — from bitter foes to the best friends we could be.

Tonight, we pledge to keep going.  We stand at an inflection point where the decisions we make now are going to determine the course of the future for decades to come, a future that the kids of our two families and children in all of our two countries will remember. 

But I also know that Japan and the United States stand together — and everyone should know that as well — committed to each other and committed to keeping — building a future worthy of the highest hopes and — that — of our predecessors and our people have dreamed of.

Ladies and gentlemen, so please join me in raising your glass — and I don’t have a glass.  Neither do you.  (Laughter.)

(An aide brings glasses for the President and Prime Minister.)

There you go.  Do you have one for the Prime Minister?

PRIME MINISTER KISHIDA:  Thank you.

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Join me in raising your glasses to our alliance, to our friendship, and, in the words of those young students in Japan, to the same future we share.  Cheers.

(President Biden offers a toast.)

AUDIENCE:  Cheers.

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  I turn it over to you, Mr. Prime Minister.

Mr. Prime Minister.

PRIME MINISTER KISHIDA:  Thank you. 

Mr. President, Dr. Biden, distinguished guests, and ladies and gentlemen, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for hosting such a wonderful dinner and your warm welcome and hospitality.

Before I came here, my protocol staff told me that no one had ever complained that my speech was too short.  (Laughter.)  This is probably good advice.  So, I’ll keep my speech short.  (Laughter.)

First and foremost, to be honest, my breath is taken and I’m speechless in front of such a huge number of prominent American and Japanese guests.  My wife, Yuko, also left breathless, just told me that it was hard to tell who the guest of honor is.  (Laughter.)  So, I was relieved when I was shown the seat right next to the President.  (Laughter.)

Last year, President Biden and Dr. Biden visited my hometown of Hiroshima to attend the G7 summit meeting.  It is a little-known fact that the largest number of Japanese immigrants to the United States came from Hiroshima.  Many Hiroshimans headed to the United States to seek a new world, a better future, and greater heights. 

Mr. President, I know that the late Senator Daniel Inouye was a good friend of yours. 

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  He was.

PRIME MINISTER KISHIDA:  His mother was also from Hiroshima. 

Looking back at the long history of Japan and the United States, our predecessors have carved out the path in various fields, such as business, academia, art, and sports, traveling back and forth between the two countries. 

“The Pacific Ocean does not separate Japan and the United States.  Rather, it unites us.”  These were the words that President Kennedy sent to Prime Minister Ikeda, also hailing from Hiroshima, at the state luncheon held at the White House about 60 years ago. 

I like this line.  I — I use it so many times that my staff tried deleting it — (laughter) — whenever this phrase appeared on speech drafts.  However, there is nothing that expresses our relationship as visibly as this.  And never have these words been more relevant than today.  Japan and the United States are united than ever before.  (Applause.)  

I believe that the Pacific Ocean has brought Japan and the United States together and so close because of the pioneering spirit of those who came before us and frontier spirit that we all have in common.  The success of those standing on the frontier is not just because of their individual efforts but also the result of collective efforts as a team.  This hol- — this holds true even between nations. 

Our joint efforts are (inaudible) indispensable for our bright future and for the peace and stability of the world.  We are now standing at a turning point in history, embarking on a new frontier and elevate this unshakable Japan-U.S. relationship to even greater heights and hand it to the next generation.   

And, finally, let me conclude with the line from “Star Trek” — (laughter) — which you all know: “To boldly go where no one has gone before.”  (Laughter and applause.) 

By the way, George Takei, who played Hikaru Sulu, the helmsman of the USS Enterprise, also has roots in Hiroshima.  (Laughter and applause.)

Mr. President, Dr. Biden, distinguished guests, and ladies and gentlemen, I would like to propose a toast to our voyage to the frontier of the Japan-U.S. relationship with this word: “boldly go.”

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Hear, hear.

PRIME MINISTER KISHIDA:  And “boldly go.”  Cheers.

(Prime Minister Kishida offers a toast.) 

PRESIDENT BIDEN:  Good job.

8:17 P.M. EDT 

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What happens during a solar eclipse? Experts explain the awe-inspiring phenomena to expect on April 8

By David Pogue

Updated on: April 8, 2024 / 9:03 AM EDT / CBS News

Monday's total eclipse of the sun won't be just any old eclipse; it's being referred to as the Great American Eclipse, because it's going through some very populated areas of the United States. Solar eclipses actually occur every 18 months or so, but during most of them the spectacle is "wasted" on empty ocean. But this afternoon , the moon's shadow will leave 32 million Americans in 15 states briefly in the dark.

• Solar eclipse maps show 2024 totality path, peak times

Where is the best place to view the eclipse?

What exactly is a total eclipse?

Astronomy author and educator Ed Ting says that in a solar eclipse, the moon passes exactly between your eyes and the sun, and casts its shadow on the Earth. That shadow is only about 100 miles wide, so you have to be in a specific place to witness the solar eclipse in totality.

It's all the result of a freakish cosmic coincidence, when the moon and sun appear to be the exact same size in the sky. "The sun is 400 times bigger than the moon," said Ting. "But by happy coincidence, it is also 400 times further away. So, from our perspective they are the same size."

What can happen during a total solar eclipse?

But the thrill of an eclipse isn't just about what's overhead – it's what happens all around you as the sky darkens. "The wind sometimes starts to pick up," said Ting. "Animals get confused. The streetlights come on."

But it's not exactly like nighttime. "The sky takes on this sort of fish-scaly, shimmery quality, and you will freak out," Ting said. "You can understand why the ancients ascribe such spiritual or religious significance to eclipses, because you will feel very strange. Half of the people who see an eclipse for the first time will cry."

What preparations are being made?

If you live in the path of the eclipse, you may notice one more effect: A lot more traffic.

Cari White is the chairman of the Eclipse Oversight Committee for Jonesboro, Arkansas, where the moment of totality – complete blockage of the sun – will last 2 minutes and 17 seconds. And for that experience of totally, White said the town will briefly grow to twice its size: "One-hundred-sixty-thousand people might be in town for the eclipse, and we're very excited about it," she said. "Our police department, our fire department, city water and light, they've all been working for over a year to design a plan."

And Jonesboro is not alone: "Everywhere, all over the country, [people] are doing exactly what I've been doing. It's a big, big deal."

• How Americans in the solar eclipse's path of totality plan to celebrate the celestial event on April 8
• Here's how one airline is planning to provide a total eclipse experience — from 30,000 feet in the air ("CBS Mornings")
• Hotel prices soar as tourists flock to see solar eclipse

How to safely view the eclipse

Looking directly at the sun can permanently damage your vision, which is why you need eye protection. Cari White's committee in Jonesboro ordered 75,000 pairs of special glasses. "We have been working for weeks to pass them out to all the schools, we've passed them out at all of the major businesses, the library, the city hall," she said. "If you don't have a pair of glasses and you live in Jonesboro, I don't know how to help ya'."

But here's something about the glasses you might not know: According to Ting, "Once totality hits, you can take the glasses off. Because there's not much light coming from the sun. Once the sun starts to come out again, you do need to remember to put your glasses back on!"

Cameras need protective filters, too. But Ting offers a classic piece of advice for would-be photographers: "See your first eclipse, photograph your second. I have seen this personally where there is an eclipse, and the person is not looking up; they're fiddling with their camera. And then, before you know it, the eclipse is gone, you never saw it – and you didn't get the picture."

• Are your eclipse glasses safe? How to know if they'll really protect your eyes during the total solar eclipse

What about the weather?

Of course, all the precautions in the world won't help you if the conditions aren't right. Asked what she'll do if the weather is bad on Monday, White said, "I guess I'll cry. Don't talk to me about the bad stuff."

Fortunately, it's mostly good stuff.

"When you consider that this truly is the Great American Eclipse, because it goes through the center of the United States, it just puts you in awe," White said. "I just know that it's gonna be wonderful. And I'm gonna take it all in, every second of my two minutes, I'm gonna take it in and enjoy."

• Looking for the best places to see the April 8 solar eclipse in the totality path? You may have to dodge clouds
• Eclipse cloud cover forecasts and maps show where skies will clear up for April 8's celestial show

          For more info:

• Visit Jonesboro Tourism & Visitor's Bureau website
• Follow  amateur astronomer Ed Ting on YouTube

         Story produced by Annie Iezzi. Editor: George Pozderec. 

David Pogue is a six-time Emmy winner for his stories on "CBS Sunday Morning," where he's been a correspondent since 2002. He's also a New York Times bestselling author, a five-time TED speaker, and host of 20 NOVA science specials on PBS. For 13 years, he wrote a New York Times tech column every week — and for 10 years, a Scientific American column every month.

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