Historical+Speeches

== "We observe today not a victory of party, but a celebration of freedom -- symbolizing an end, as well as a beginning -- signifying renewal, as well as change. For I have sworn before you and Almighty God the same solemn oath our forebears prescribed nearly a century and three-quarters ago." - //John F. Kennedy Inaugural Address// ==

Political speeches and political leader's from our present and future have created speeches that are moving; calling the audience to action. In addition to speaking about current issues, politicians often refer back to historical speeches or figures from their party to inspire their audiences. To help you with your persuasive speech, it will be helpful to view other political speeches and use them to inspire you.

**For each Speech you view/read consider the following:**

 * **What are the political platforms the speaker discusses?**
 * **What issues motivate people today and are they issues that have motivated American past?**
 * **Does the speaker call their audience to action? If so, how?**
 * **What about the speaker do you find interesting to watch/listen too?**

**2012 Election Resources**
**ProCon.org** **[|Democrats 2012 Political Platform]** **[|Republican 2012 Political Platform]**

**Other Election Resources**
**[|Political Party Platforms (1840-2008)]** **[|Presidential Nomination Acceptance Speeches (1880-2008)]** **George Washington's Inaugural Address, 1789** **Abraham Lincoln's Address, 1861** <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Address to Congress Requesting a Declaration of War, 1941** <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**John F. Kennedy, Acceptance of the Democratic Party Nomination, 1960** <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">**Ronald Regan, "A Time for Choosing", 1964**

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #333333; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Barack Obama
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 20px;">media type="custom" key="13849296" <span style="color: #000080; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">**Check out this analysis of Obama's Inaugural Speech**

Ronald Regan
media type="youtube" key="qXBswFfh6AY?version=3" height="315" width="420"

Bill Clinton
media type="custom" key="13849352"

John F. Kennedy
media type="youtube" key="BLmiOEk59n8?version=3" height="315" width="420"

media type="youtube" key="M0PW1Jhuu2Q" height="315" width="420"
 * FDR: A Date That Will Live in Infamy... **

Next Steps... Persuasive Writing
Resources courtesy of Mill Center at the University of Virginia; The History Channel; The JFK, Jr. Archive; The Ronald Regan Presidential Library; CSPAN