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'I am Prepared to Die' by Nelson Mandela -

In 1964, Nelson Mandela delivered a powerful speech before being imprisoned for opposing apartheid in South Africa. Despite years of incarceration and global censorship, Mandela's fight for equality inspired worldwide campaigns. Released in 1990, he became South Africa's first black president in 1994.

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'Ain't I a Woman?' by Sojourner Truth -

Sojourner Truth, a former slave turned abolitionist and women's rights advocate, delivered her powerful 1851 speech at the Women’s Rights Convention, challenging discrimination against women and African Americans and solidifying her revolutionary legacy.

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'We shall fight on the beaches' by Winston Churchill -

Winston Churchill, Britain's wartime prime minister, is renowned for leading the country through World War II. On June 4, 1940, after the Dunkirk evacuation rescued over 330,000 troops, Churchill acknowledged the defeat but inspired Britons to persevere. His famous 'We shall fight on the beaches' speech rallied the nation, blending honesty with motivation. 

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'Speech to the Troops at Tilbury' by Queen Elizabeth I -

In 1588, during the war with Spain, Queen Elizabeth I delivered a powerful speech to rally English troops against the Spanish Armada. Her masterful oratory inspired victory despite England’s underdog status.

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Woodrow Wilson's address to Congress -

On April 2, 1917, President Wilson addressed Congress, urging war against Germany in WWI. Despite earlier isolationism, he convinced Congress of America’s moral duty to lead and defend attacked nations, shaping the nation's ideals.

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Maya Angelou's speech at Bill Clinton's inauguration -

At President Bill Clinton's 1993 inauguration, Maya Angelou delivered her poem 'On the Pulse of the Morning,' addressing unity, equality, and inclusion, calling for a world where all voices are heard.

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'The Gettysburg Address' by Abraham Lincoln -

On March 4, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln urged national unity and "charity for all" in his second inaugural address, emphasizing reconciliation after slavery's abolition and promoting lasting peace amid deep racial divisions.

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'I Have a Dream' by Martin Luther King Jr. -

On August 28, 1963, MLK delivered his iconic 'I Have a Dream' speech during a historic march in Washington, DC, calling for equality and freedom for all Americans.

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Vladimir Lenin's speech at an International Meeting in Bern -

In his March 5, 1916, speech in Switzerland, Lenin condemned the imperialist nature of World War I, criticizing Tsarist Russia and other powers. He predicted the war's aftermath would spark proletarian revolutions against capitalism.

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Malala Yousafzai's Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speech -

At 16, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate (2014), delivered a powerful speech advocating for education equality, urging global action to end violence, inequality, and wasted potential, inspiring others to fight for human rights.

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John F. Kennedy's inaugural address -

On January 20, 1961, President JFK's inaugural speech famously asked Americans to consider what they could do for their country. His use of parallelism emphasized the collective moral duty to uphold freedom for all, making history.

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'Living the Revolution' by Gloria Steinem -

In her 1970 Vassar College commencement speech, Gloria Steinem declared it the year of women's liberation, urging graduates to support social revolution and equality, stating, "until all of us are free, none of us are free."

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'Is it a Crime for a Citizen of the United States to Vote?' by Susan B. Anthony -

Susan B. Anthony, a key leader in the women's suffrage movement, co-founded the National Woman Suffrage Association with Elizabeth Cady Stanton. In her famous 1873 speech, she boldly defended women's right to vote, even after being arrested for voting illegally in 1872. 

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'Quit India' by Mahatma Gandhi -

Mahatma Gandhi's powerful 'Quit India' speech on August 8, 1942, called for the immediate end of British rule in India. His non-violent, resolute rhetoric united the nation, inspiring global admiration and hope.

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Michelle Obama's Democratic National Convention speech -

Before Barack Obama was elected, Michelle Obama delivered a powerful speech at the 2008 DNC, celebrating everyday Americans' resilience, unity, and hope, emphasizing collective responsibility for change and progress.

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First inaugural speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt -

In his famous inaugural speech, Roosevelt urged "quick action" by Congress to address the Great Depression, emphasizing government reforms to alleviate poverty, inspiring hope and securing a landslide victory for his leadership.

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'Give Them Hope' by Harvey Milk -

In 1977, Harvey Milk, California's first openly gay elected official, delivered his 'Give Them Hope' speech, urging celebration of differences, rallying support for both his campaign and the LGBT community.

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'The Hypocrisy of American Slavery' by Frederick Douglass -

On July 4, 1852, Frederick Douglass exposed the hypocrisy of celebrating freedom while slavery persisted. His powerful speech condemned the barbarity of slavery, solidifying his legacy as a leading abolitionist and advocate for equality.

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'Women's Rights Are Human Rights' by Hillary Clinton -

In 1995, at the United Nations Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing, Hillary Clinton passionately declared, "Human rights are women's rights and women's rights are human rights," challenging the world to address global gender inequality.

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'Freedom or Death' by Emmeline Pankhurst -

Emmeline Pankhurst, British leader of the Suffragettes, delivered her famous speech in 1913, explaining their shift to more aggressive tactics. During WWI, women proved their societal worth by taking on men's jobs. In 1918, their efforts led to the passing of a law granting certain women the right to vote.

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'Atoms for Peace' by Dwight Eisenhower -

On December 8, 1953, President Eisenhower delivered his 'Atoms for Peace' speech at the UN General Assembly, promoting peaceful atomic energy use and launching a program to aid global research and development.

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James Baldwin's Cambridge Union Hall speech -

In 1965, James Baldwin's speech at the Cambridge Union Hall highlighted the stark differences between white and African American experiences, offering powerful insights into racism’s persistence and the need for activism to combat systemic oppression.

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The Struggle for Human Rights' by Eleanor Roosevelt -

Eleanor Roosevelt, one of the most beloved First Ladies, delivered a powerful speech in Paris in 1948, urging global commitment to human rights and emphasizing democracy's core values beyond national ideologies.

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'Questioning the Universe' by Stephen Hawking -

In his TED2008 speech, Stephen Hawking explored profound questions about the universe, life’s origins, and extraterrestrial existence, inspiring curiosity and scientific inquiry across all abilities and backgrounds.

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'The Audacity of Hope' by Barack Obama -

In his 2004 Democratic National Convention keynote, Barack Obama shared his story as a "skinny kid with a funny name," inspiring with hope and determination. 'The Audacity of Hope' later became the title of his second book.

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'The Ballot or The Bullet' by Malcolm X -

Malcolm X, a crucial leader in the fight for civil rights, delivered his 'The Ballot or the Bullet' speech in April 1964, urging African Americans to vote but warning of potential armed resistance if equality wasn't achieved.

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'Be Your Own Story' by Toni Morrison -

In her 2004 Wellesley College speech, Toni Morrison urged graduates to reflect on the past, using it as a guide for shaping their future, inspiring profound thought and introspection among the audience.

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Nikita Khrushchev's speech at the 20th Congress of the CPSU -

In 1956, Nikita Khrushchev's "secret speech" to the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) condemned Stalin's authoritarian methods, marking a significant moment in Russian history by challenging Stalin's legacy and unmasking his un-socialist tactics.

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'Freedom from Fear' by Aung San Suu Kyi -

Aung San Suu Kyi, a Burmese political leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, delivered her powerful speech at the National League for Democracy headquarters in Rangoon in 1990. Despite being under house arrest, she called for the liberation of the Burmese people from fear and apathy, stressing the importance of a mental revolution for true democratic change.

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'Black Power' by Stokely Carmichael -

In 1966, Stokely Carmichael delivered his powerful 'Black Power' address at UC Berkeley, urging Black Americans to embrace their identity and demand rights without waiting for white approval or sanction.

Sources: (BBC) (History) (The National Constitution Center) 

See also: Historical documents that changed the world

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