Best Historic 4th of July Speeches
The Fourth of July has long been an occasion for celebration, every since the liberation of the American colonies from the British. Some notable and famous speeches through the years have served both to initiate patriotism in our country on this special day and convey speakers' hopes and ambitions for the United States. Here are some speeches that, for a variety of reasons, inform, encourage, and even plead with Americans to take action on Independence Day.
Frederick Douglass- What To the Slave is the Fourth of July?
In 1852, slavery was becoming a major issue in the United States. Frederick Douglass was a freed slave and speaker who sought to rid the world of this damaging institution. In his Fourth of Julyspeech,he challenged listeners on the subject of slavery, declaring America to be full of hypocrisy, for while white Americans celebrated their liberty on this day, slaves were being overworked, beaten, and deprived of all rights. Douglass' poignant speech challenged the social norms of the day and sought to make Americans outraged at the notion of continuing slavery within their borders.
Franklin D. Roosevelt- Address at Hyde Park, New York
The year was 1941, and many Americans were content with an isolationist policy keeping the country neutral in WWII. However, as German and Japanese armies advanced around the globe, freedom was threatened. In hisspeech,President Roosevelt argued that the United States could not survive as an "oasis of liberty amidst a cruel desert of dictatorship". Roosevelt wanted to see a change in the way Americans thought about the war, and argued that they should be willing to fight for freedom around the globe. His Fourth of July speech urged Americans to prepare to make sacrifices for their country, doing whatever was necessary to secure freedom.
Mark Twain- Speech in Keokuk, Iowa
While most politicians' speeches during the Fourth of July reflect on the past and look towards the future, some throughout America's history have served to entertain the audience. In 1886, Mark Twain was asked to speak in Keokuk, Iowa. Being the last speaker, he knew that the audience had already heard plenty about the country's independence and heritage. Instead of another long-winded talk, Mark Twain delivered a short and humorousspeechthat left the audience rolling with laughter. Twain's remarks were frequently interrupted with the amusement of the audience, and he successfully entertained the crowd while paying tribute to America's heritage.
These are a just few among many famous Fourth of July speeches. While most formal talks focus on the past and where America is headed in the future, the best speeches have challenged Americans to take a stand for liberty and justice during crucial moments during the nation's history.
