Author(s): Alan J. Whiticker

Reference

"Speeches That Reshaped the World" is a collection of sixty of the greatest speeches of modern times: speeches that not only shaped and changed the world but also moved us to action - emotionally, politically and socially.Many of these speeches are iconic signposts in the passage of time: Winston Churchill's 'We Shall Fight on the Beaches', Franklin Roosevelt's 'A Day That Will Live in Infamy' and John Kennedy's 'Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You'. Others remain relatively unknown: Bishop Romero's 'Stop the Repression' sermon and New Zealand Prime Minister David Lange's speech 'Nuclear Weapons are Morally Indefensible'.The passing of time allows many speeches to take on a deeper meaning and poignancy, such as Benigno Aquino's 'Assassination Speech' that was never delivered and Teddy Kennedy's 'Eulogy for John Kennedy Jnr'. Several speeches since 2000-most importantly Lee C. Bollinger's 'Welcome to the Iranian President' and Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's 'Apology to Indigenous Australians' - will surely stand the test of time. There are also twelve speeches from female orators; speeches of immense clarity and hope.