Famous Public Speeches
compiled by Laurie Wilhelm
Listed below are some examples of great speeches. Some are famous short speeches and others are well-known but longer speeches. The eight famous public speeches that follow were delivered by some of the most well known people of our time…and a few before our time. They’re inspiring speeches have touched millions and live on as some of history’s famous short speeches.
Famous Public Speeches #1: Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela Inauguration Speech
Cape Town, May 9, 1994
No Easy Walk to Freedom
Presidential Address by Nelson R. Mandela to the ANC (Transvaal) Congress, September 21,1953
Famous Public Speeches #2: Winston Churchill
Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat
First Speech as Prime Minister to House of Commons, May 13, 1940
Famous Public Speeches #3: John F. Kennedy
Inaugural Address
January 20, 1961
Famous Public Speeches #4: Earl of Spencer
Obituary to Princess Diana, Princess of Wales
September 9, 1997
Famous Public Speeches: #5: Martin Luther King Jr
Martin Luther King Jr’s Speech, I Have a Dream (full speech)
Lincoln Memorial, Washington D.C., August 28, 1963
(This is probably one of the most inspiring speeches of the last century.)
Famous Public Speeches #6: Mahatma Gandhi
The ‘Quit India’ Speeches
Gandhi addressed the A.I.C.C, August 8, 1942
Famous Public Speeches: #7: Mark Twain
Votes for Women
Annual meeting of the Hebrew Technical School for Girls, January 20, 1901
Famous Public Speeches #8: Cher’s Eulogy to Sonny Bono
You may find this entry surprising as one of the examples of great speeches. While it’s not like the others above, this short famous speech is included because it’s so real and heartfelt and is one that brings a very different perspective on what a typical speech “should be.” The transcript begins with Cher speaking to the mourners before starting her “formal” tribute. Cher’s eulogy to Sonny Bono is warm, personal and humourous.
