Reading Willow Historic Speeches Library

"Second Inaugural Address" is a speech by Abraham Lincoln, delivered on 1865-03-04 during Second presidential inauguration near the end of the U.S. Civil War. After this short context paragraph, the r...

"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" is a speech by Patrick Henry, delivered on 1775-03-23 during Second Virginia Convention debate over resistance to British rule. After this short context paragraph, t...

"Is It a Crime for a Citizen of the United States to Vote?" is a speech by Susan B. Anthony, delivered on 1873-04-03 during Suffrage speech after Anthony was arrested for voting. After this short cont...

"What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July?" is a speech by Frederick Douglass, delivered on 1852-07-05 during Anti-slavery address in Rochester, New York. After this short context paragraph, the readin...

This lesson studies Kevin Rudd's "Apology to Australia's Indigenous Peoples", delivered on 2008-02-13. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine r...

This lesson studies Jawaharlal Nehru's "A Tryst With Destiny", delivered on 1947-08-14. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine voice, argument,...

This lesson studies Mohandas K. Gandhi's "Benaras Hindu University Speech", delivered on 1916-02-04. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine con...

This lesson studies Rishi Sunak's "Speech at COP28 Climate Summit", delivered on 2023-12-01 during COP28 climate summit in Dubai. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itsel...

This lesson studies Justin Addison's "Climate Change and Coal", delivered on 2023-07-18 during UK statement to the OSCE Asian Partners conference. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives...

This lesson studies Christopher Van Hollen's "Speech on Anniversary of January 6th Insurrection", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech...

This lesson studies Richard Blumenthal's "Opening Remarks on First Day of Supreme Court Nomination Hearing for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson", delivered in its historical setting. After this short conte...

This lesson studies Raphael Warnock's "Senator Warnock Fights for the Sacred Right to Vote on the Floor of the U.S. Senate", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, th...

This lesson studies George Marshall's "The Marshall Plan Speech", delivered on 1947-06-05. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine occasion, aud...

This lesson studies George W. Bush's "George W. Bush's remarks at the Islamic Center of Washington on September 17, 2001", delivered in 2001. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the...

This lesson studies Brian Emanuel Schatz's "Warning Against Ongoing Threats To American Democracy", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speec...

This lesson studies John Chrysostom's "The Blessings of Death", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine rhe...

This lesson studies Pierre Abelard's "The Divine Tragedy", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine voice, a...

This lesson studies Bernard of Clairvaux's "Why Another Crusade?", delivered in 1091. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine context, power, an...

This lesson studies Jacques-Benigne Bossuet's "On the Death of the Great Conde", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so student...

This lesson studies Louis Bourdaloue's "On the Passion of Christ . by Louis Bourdaloue", delivered in 1632. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can exa...

This lesson studies Francois Fenelon's "True and False Simplicity", delivered in 1829. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine context, power, a...

This lesson studies Girolamo Savonarola's "After His Excommunication", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can exam...

This lesson studies Martin Luther's "Before the Diet of Worms", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine occ...

This lesson studies Philipp Melanchthon's "On the Death of Luther", delivered in 1815. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine structure, contra...

This lesson studies John Calvin's "On Suffering Persecution,", delivered in 1509. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine perspective, values, a...

This lesson studies Jean-Baptiste Massillon's "Of a Malignant Tongue . by Jean-Baptiste Massillon", delivered in 1798. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so stude...

This lesson studies Pierre Victurnien Vergniaud's "On the Situation in France by Pierre Victurnien Vergniaud", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading giv...

This lesson studies Georges Jacques Danton's "On Liberty of Worship by Georges Jacques Danton", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech i...

This lesson studies Lucie Simplice Camille Benoit Desmoulins's "Better to Die than not Live Free by Lucie Simplice Camille Benoit Desmoulins", delivered in its historical setting. After this short co...

This lesson studies Honore Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau's "On Being Accused of Treasonable Relations to the Court by Honore Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Mirabeau", delivered in its historical sett...

This lesson studies Antoine Barnave's "Against Majority Absolutism by Antoine Barnave", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so...

This lesson studies Bertrand Barere's "On the Heroism of the "Vengeur's" Sailors by Bertrand Barere", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the sp...

This lesson studies Napoleon Bonaparte's "To the Army of Italy Again by Napoleon Bonaparte", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itse...

This lesson studies Maximilien Robespierre's "His Last Speech by Maximilien Robespierre", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself...

This lesson studies Pierre-Joseph Cambon's "On the Situation in France by Pierre-Joseph Cambon", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech...

This lesson studies Louis Antoine Leon de Saint-Just's "Invective Against Danton by Louis Antoine Leon de Saint-Just", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the rea...

This lesson studies Lazare Nicolas Marguerite Carnot's "Against Setting Up an Emperor by Lazare Nicolas Marguerite Carnot", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, th...

This lesson studies Alphonse de Lamartine's "To a Deputation of Poles by Alphonse de Lamartine", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech...

This lesson studies Victor Hugo's "In Defense of His Son by Victor Hugo", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can...

This lesson studies Leon Gambetta's "Education for the Peasantry in France by Leon Gambetta", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech its...

This lesson studies Giuseppe Garibaldi's "To His Soldiers by Giuseppe Garibaldi", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so stude...

This lesson studies Camillo Benso Cavour's "Rome as the Capital of United Italy by Camillo Benso Cavour", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives th...

This lesson studies Frederick the Great's "To His Generals Before Invading Silesia by Frederick the Great", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives...

This lesson studies Paul d'Estournelles de Constant's "France and the United States by Paul d'Estournelles de Constant", delivered in 1852. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the s...

This lesson studies Georges Benjamin Clemenceau's "In the Debate on Socialism with Jaures by Georges Benjamin Clemenceau", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the...

This lesson studies Giuseppe Mazzini's "To the Young Men of Italy by Giuseppe Mazzini", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so...

This lesson studies Otto von Bismarck's "The Canossa Speech by Otto von Bismarck", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so stud...

This lesson studies Lajos Kossuth's "On His Welcome to New York by Lajos Kossuth", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so stud...

This lesson studies Emilio Castelar's "Plea for a Republic in Spain by Emilio Castelar", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself s...

This lesson studies Albert Apponyi's "On the Death of Louis Kossuth by Albert Apponyi", delivered in 1846. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can exam...

This lesson studies Donald Trump's "Address by President Trump on Operation Epic Fury", delivered in 2026. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can exami...

This lesson studies Haile Selassie's "Address to judges on Justice and the Law", delivered in 1961. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine cont...

This lesson studies Homer S. Cummings's "Achievements of the Democratic Party", delivered in 1913. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine struc...

This lesson studies Max Nordau's "Address at the First Zionist Congress", delivered in 1897. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine perspective...

This lesson studies Mahinda Rajapaksa's "Address to the United Nations General Assembly", delivered on 2006-09-20. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students c...

"An address to the middle and working classes engaged in trade and manufactures throughout the empire on the necessity of union at the present crisis" is a speech by Richard Gardner, delivered in its...

This lesson studies Michelle Lujan Grisham's "Addressing the House for the Final Time", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so...

This lesson studies William Gibbs McAdoo's "American Rights", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine rheto...

This lesson studies Warren G. Harding's "Americanism", delivered in 1787. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine context, power, and public mem...

This lesson studies Lenin's "Against the Plague of Nations; An Address to Thinking People on the Polish Question", delivered in 1920. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech i...

This lesson studies Breckinridge Long's "America's Accomplishments", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examin...

This lesson studies A.G. Hales's "Anglo-African Writers", delivered in 1900. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine rhetoric, civic myth, and s...

This lesson studies Arthur Balfour's "The Benefits of Reading", delivered in 1887. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine rhetorical technique...

This lesson studies James Hamilton Lewis's "Call of America", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine voice...

This lesson studies Wilfrid Laurier's "Canada, England and the United States", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students...

"At the Front" is a speech by Newton D. Baker, delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine perspective, values,...

This lesson studies Constitutional Court of Korea's "Case on Impeachment Trial of President (Yoon Suk-yeol) (Pronouncement)", delivered in 2025. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives t...

This lesson studies Haile Selassie's "Dedication of the Debre Libanos Church", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students...

This lesson studies Robert Latham Owen's "Democracy's Achievement", delivered in 1801. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine context, power, a...

This lesson studies Margaret Hassan's "Changing Senate Rules to Allow Simple Majority Vote on Protecting Democracy", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the readin...

This lesson studies James M. Cox's "Confidence in Government", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine occa...

This lesson studies Miles Poindexter's "Criminal Enemies of Social Order", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can...

This lesson studies Champ Clark's "Democratic Achievement", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine rhetori...

This lesson studies Alejandro Padilla's "Encouraging Vaccination Efforts Ahead of Holiday Season", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech...

This lesson studies Alexander Mitchell Palmer's "Democrats in the World War", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students c...

This lesson studies Marie Skodowska Curie's "The Discovery of Radium", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can exam...

This lesson studies Robert Francis O'Rourke's "Honoring Dr. Robert Gunn", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can e...

This lesson studies Timothy James Walz's "Honoring Master Sergeant Brent P. Schol", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so stud...

This lesson studies Joseph Kendrick Cunningham's "Farewell to the House of Representatives", delivered in 2018. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can...

This lesson studies Henry Scott Holland's "The King of Terrors", delivered in 1910. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine rhetorical technique...

This lesson studies Samuel Gompers's "Labor's Service to Freedom", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine...

This lesson studies Calvin Coolidge's "Law and Order", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine context, pow...

This lesson studies Valdez Venita Demings's "Honoring the Life and Legacy of Ronald Rogers", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itsel...

This lesson studies Arthur Meighen's "Imperial Conference 1921", delivered in 1921. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine occasion, audience,...

This lesson studies Riaz Ahmed Gohar Shahi's "Isim - e - Zat conference Speech", delivered in 1996. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine pers...

This lesson studies James W. Gerard's "Loyalty", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine rhetorical techniq...

This lesson studies Kamala Harris's "Maiden Speech on Defending Immigrant Communities", delivered in 1959. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can exami...

This lesson studies Albert Beveridge's "The March of the Flag", delivered in 1899. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine context, power, and p...

This lesson studies Henry Cabot Lodge's "League of Nations", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine purpos...

This lesson studies Bainbridge Colby's "Loyalty", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine perspective, valu...

This lesson studies Josephus Daniels's "The Navy is Ready", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine voice,...

This lesson studies Anonymous's "Message to Scientology", delivered in 2008. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine purpose, audience, and repe...

This lesson studies James Barrie's "Myself and My Islands", delivered in 1922. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine structure, contrast, and...

This lesson studies Franklin Lane's "The Nation in Arms", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine perspecti...

This lesson studies Frank Vanderlip's "One Hundred Million Soldiers", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can exami...

This lesson studies George White's "Peace, Progress, and Prosperity", delivered in 1918. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine context, power,...

This lesson studies Bill Clinton's "Remarks to Federal Law Enforcement", delivered in 1995. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine voice, argum...

This lesson studies Haile Selassie's "Reply to Chief Sudanese Negotiators", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can...

This lesson studies Stephen Samuel Wise's "President Wilson", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine purpo...

This lesson studies U.S. Ambassador the United Nations Mike Waltz's "Remarks by US Ambassador at an Emergency UN Security Council Briefing on Iran", delivered in 2026. After this short context paragra...

This lesson studies Kendra Suzanne Horn's "Representative Kendra Horn Farewell Address", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so...

This lesson studies Nicholas Murray Butler's "Save America", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine rhetor...

This lesson studies Kofi Annan's "Secretary-General, addressing university students in Beijing urges commitment to UN Millennium Development goals", delivered in its historical setting. After this sho...

"Education" is a speech by Haile Selassie, delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine context, power, and publ...

This lesson studies Haile Selassie's "A Review of the Domestic and Foreign Policy of Ethiopia", delivered in 1960. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students c...

This lesson studies Corinne Roosevelt Robinson's "Safeguard America!", delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can exam...

"Speech by Govenor Fitzhugh Lee of Virginia" is a speech by Fitzhugh Lee, delivered in 1887. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine rhetorical...

"Speech Honoring Robert F. Kennedy" is a speech by Elizabeth Ann Warren, delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can ex...

"Speech in the State House Yard" is a speech by James Wilson, delivered in 1787. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine context, power, and pub...

"Slavery, Blacks, and the Priesthood" is a speech by Brigham Young, delivered in 1234. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine occasion, audienc...

"Speech at the unveiling of the statue of Menelik II" is a speech by Haile Selassie, delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so stu...

"Speech on Partial Suffrage (Kentucky Constitutional Convention, December 12, 1890)" is a speech by Laura Clay, delivered in 1890. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itse...

"Speech to Augustine" is a speech by Ethelbert, delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine voice, argument, an...

"Speech on the Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr." is a speech by Robert F. Kennedy, delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself...

"Conference of Oriental Orthodox Churches" is a speech by Haile Selassie, delivered in 1965. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine voice, argu...

"The Triumph of Women's Suffrage" is a speech by Woodrow Wilson, delivered in 1302. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine context, power, and...

"Third Anniversary of Crash of Flight 3407" is a speech by Kathleen Courtney Hochul, delivered in its historical setting. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so stu...

"Third Speech Against Unconditional Repeal" is a speech by William Jennings Bryan, delivered in 1893. After this short context paragraph, the reading gives the speech itself so students can examine pe...