21 Famous Speeches For Kids Your Kids Should Know About

A speech is a ceremonial address delivered to spectators by a person who seeks to persuade, inform, and inspire.

It is a very influential and powerful tool through which many eminent individuals have changed the world and human life as we know it. There have been a plethora of life-changing inspirational speeches by celebrated eminent personalities, which neither gets old nor does it fail to rouse our emotions when they are still heard today.

Some of the most famous speeches have transcended time and place and are still relevant to this day because the wisdom in a great speech had the power to stir emotions after decades and even after the speaker's death.

There isn't a specific set of rules that can make a speech great. Most famous historical speeches have been about multiple affairs and, in many different languages.

It doesn't matter if the speech is a long or a short speech. What matters is if it has the power to inspire, influence, and capture the audience's attention.

It could be the gravity of the author's argument, how well it has been portrayed to the hearers, or the usage of words and choice of vocabulary, that gives the speech its quality.

These factors led to some of the most famous speeches in history being unforgotten and still influential worldwide.

Some of the greatest speeches have impacted generations after generations, have reshaped the way people think, have influenced new ideals, and broken age-old archaic norms. Many have also given rise to revolutionary changes that were necessary battling against all odds to achieve a better future and greater things.

These speeches still stand the test of time because they are treated as the cornerstones for the rise of many ideals adopted in the modern era.

Three components are considered essential elements in a great speech. They are tone, substance, and effect.

A great speech need not have ornate word jewelry to make it great. The presence of flowery and profound language does give the speech its substance.

What it needs is artful construction, which can make even the simplest of contexts sound beautiful both for hearing and reading.

Instead, it should be centered and focused on a profound topic, seeking to appeal to the audience and provide inspiration to uphold ideals and values.

A great speech aims to influence the listeners and their opinions on a matter, to change perspective and the hearts and minds of the masses, and should be inclusive of all generations of the present age and the future.

We've compiled some of the greatest speeches given by some of the most eminent and famous people in the past and during recent times. These speeches have had a significant impact worldwide because of their enthusiasm and because of the very words through which they were delivered to the masses.

Listening to these speeches has been the beacon of light during times of sadness and suffering. They are the symbol of hope during heartache, bravery in times of weakness, and uplift broken people's will.

Many of these speeches have been the cornerstones for the change in the course of history.

These speeches are like valuable time capsules, and it is through these speeches, human beings from past ages continue to live on. Some of the most notable speeches made history with excerpts to prove that these words are transcendent.

Famous Speech From Leaders For Kids

The most notable speeches of all time were given by some of the most famous leaders, American Presidents, chiefs, preachers, and other notable personalities who moved the audience and inspired their minds.

'I Have A Dream' is one of the most electrifying public speeches ever delivered by Martin Luther King Jr.

In August 1963, American civil rights activist and Baptist minister; Martin Luther King Jr. addressed the masses attending the March in Washington for jobs and freedom by saying; "I have a dream that one day down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification - one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers."

In the speech, Martin Luther King fought for equal economic and civil rights for the African-American people and was a direct address of rampant racism that prevailed in the United States.

It is one of the most significant speeches for equality and freedom and a pivotal moment of the civil rights movement in American history.

Queen Elizabeth I's speech to the troops at Tilbury delivered to the young men fighting in the English forces in the wake of a war with Spain in the 1580s is still one of the most moving speeches that defined feminism and gender equality.

When scorned King Phillip II of Spain prepared for the charge of England to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I of England, she addressed her nervous troops with the words, "I have the body but of a weak and feeble woman; but I have the heart and stomach of a king, and of a king of England too and think foul scorn that Parma or Spain, or any prince of Europe, should dare to invade the borders of my realm: To which rather than any dishonor shall grow by me, I myself will take up arms, I myself will be your general, judge, and rewarder of every one of your virtues in the field.

Queen Elizabeth's specifically used the words "feeble woman" and "foul scorn" to emphasize that even in a patriarchal era, a woman had enough power to rule and lead an army into battle and emerge victoriously.

It is universally considered one of the most defining moments in the history of Great Britain.

Theodore Roosevelt's great speech 'Duties of American Citizenship' was one of the greatest speeches delivered on the theoretical reasons why every individual needs politics in their lives and why they should be involved in it.

Roosevelt admonished the ones who kept themselves away from politics by saying, "It ought to be axiomatic in this country that every man must devote a reasonable share of his time to doing his duty in the Political life of the community.

No man has a right to shirk his political duties under whatever plea of pleasure or business..." Roosevelt's "The Man with the Muck-rake" was also an iconic speech that sought to expose the corruption in society by addressing them as "muckrakers."

Another defining speech by an eminent leader is 'We Shall Fight on the Beaches' by Winston Churchill, one of the most eloquent orators in the United Kingdom.

During the Battle of France, Winston Churchill addressed the British House Of Commons by saying, "We shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender."

His speech was like the "landing grounds" of hope for Britain during one of her darkest periods, and it celebrated the success at Dunkirk as well as exposed the horrors of war addressing it as a "colossal military disaster."

An example of a heartbreaking speech in history is the 'Surrender Speech' by Chief Joseph in 1877, which had moved the masses to a mess of tears.

It was addressed to General Howard when the military had forcefully declared that Chief Joseph, along with his tribe of Nez Perce, had to rehabilitate themselves to an Idaho reservation or face retribution for the death of two white men in the hands of his tribesmen.

Chief Joseph said these bleak, moving words to avoid violence, "Tell General Howard I know his heart. What he told me before, I have it in my heart.

I am tired of fighting.

Looking Glass is dead. It is the young men who say, 'yes' or 'no.'

He who led the young men is dead." He was referring to Looking Glass, who was one of the war leaders of the Nez Perce group after he was killed by Cheyenne scout from the army.

John F. Kennedy's 'Inaugural Address' was one of the most eloquent speeches that had moved the nation. His most notable words in the speech, "My fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you -- ask what you can do for your country.

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man" made the masses feel that a new era had dawned upon welcoming a "new frontier."

Ronald Reagan's speech 'Address to the Nation on the Challenger' was one of the most memorable speeches delivered on January 28, 1986.

In the aftermath of the blast of the space shuttle Challenger that led to the deaths of seven Americans, Reagan addressed the nation via radio to honor the lives lost by saying, "They, the members of the Challenger crew, were pioneers," and also to bring comfort to the ones disturbed and heartbroken by the incident by saying, "I know it is hard to understand, but sometimes painful things like this happen.

It's all part of the process of exploration and discovery.

It's all part of taking a chance and expanding man's horizons.

The future doesn't belong to the fainthearted; it belongs to the brave." Another speech by Reagan was "Tear down this wall!"

in 1987 1987 addressed to the Soviet Leader when the Cold War was reigning supreme.

Abraham Lincoln's 'The Gettysburg Address,' delivered on November 19, 1863, is a true example of a short and unforgettable speech that still rings with the sound of relevance in the modern age.

His words, "Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.

Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war.

We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live.

It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this."

In a span of three minutes, not only did he address the horrors of war that the men who died in Gettysburg experienced on the battlefield, but he also intended to address the matter of equality and if the government was up for maintaining that proposition.

Famous Speech From Sports For Kids

Some of the most famous and moving speeches have been delivered by some of the most notable sportsmen who people have looked up to all their lives.

For instance, the Yankee's first baseman, Lou Gehrig, who was nicknamed the Iron Horse for his undying dedication to the game, addressed the crowd for the last time with his 'Farewell to Baseball Address' speech on July 4, 1939.

He gave this speech when the Yankees hosted a ceremony as a toast to their teammate without a single word of regret or wallowing pity.

He showed gratefulness for how lucky he was for all the achievements he got.

Kevin Durant's 2013-2014 MVP acceptance speech is also one of the most moving speeches by athletes.

In this speech, he acknowledges the trials and tribulations, the hard work, and sacrifices he had to go through to be precisely where he is, and shows great appreciation for everyone who stuck with him throughout his journey, including his family, his coaches, teammates, friends as well as supporters and helped him in his journey to success.

Darrell Green's 'Hall Of Fame Speech' is said to be one of the greatest' Hall Of Fame Speeches" of all time. It is heartfelt and heart-wrenching at the same time when he addressed his deceased parents and said, "Deacon Jones said I'm going to cry.

You bet your life I'm going to cry!" In this speech, he spoke highly of his father, Leonard Green, who never lost faith in him and believed him even when others did not by saying, "They said no, but he said 'go.'"

Famous Speech From Artist For Kids

Artists can be master orators because of how they perceive things and human life, and some of their speeches have been greatly impactful.

One of the most notable instances is when Neil Gaiman delivered an inspirational Commencement Speech at the University of the Arts in 2012. Despite not having attended college, Gaiman is a remarkable orator, master writer, and one of the best storytellers in the modern age.

In this particular speech, he addressed the budding artists in the university and said, "When life gets hard, as it inevitably will, make good art. Just make good art.

Make your own art, meaning the art that reflects your individuality and personal vision." This speech was so inspirational that it was later adapted into an illustrated book entitled 'Make Good Art.'

When it comes to comic humor, Bill Watterson is considered royalty, and in his speech at the Kenyon College 1990, he specifically emphasized the importance of creativity. He motivates the audience by saying, "If I've learned one thing from being a cartoonist, it's how important playing is to creativity and happiness.

At school, new ideas are thrust at you every day. Out in the world, you'll have to find the inner motivation to search for new ideas on your own."

Another great example is the speech 'The Pleasure Of Books' by William Lyon Phelps, an American educator, scholarly critic, and writer.

In this speech, he focuses on the importance of reading by saying, "Books are for use, not for show; you should own no book that you are afraid to mark up, or afraid to place on the table, wide open and face down."

Through this speech, the author's main intention was to entertain everyone listening with his own opinions and thoughts on books and how they should be handled.

His tone is awe and inspiration, praising the act and art of reading, and hones in on his belief that books are indeed the greatest treasure given to humankind.

Famous Speech From Scientists For Kids

Some of the greatest scientists have moved masses with their speeches about their discoveries, inventions, and take on life.

The best example for this category would be Albert Einstein's speech entitled 'Wonders of Science,' which he had delivered in Berlin in 1930.

He speaks in awe of the miraculous creations brought about by science by saying, "The origin of all technical achievements is the divine curiosity and the play instinct of the working and thinking researcher as well as the constructive fantasy of the technical inventor."

Another instance is when Rachel Carson shared her eloquent environmental message to the Garden Club of America in January 1963 in New York.

In this speech, 'A New Chapter to Silent Spring' she praises the Garden Club of America by saying, "Through your interest in plant life, your fostering of beauty, your alignment with constructive conservation causes, you promote that onward flow of life that is the essence of our world."

She then emphasizes the importance of proper agriculture later in the speech, intending to bring about a significant change.

Some other notable speeches by people of science are by environmental activist Jane Goodall whose speech 'What Separates Us From The Apes' was as impactful as it was informative.

In this speech, Goodall speaks in support of these animals by saying, "The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves," which is a commonly recurring line in most of her speeches.

Last but not least, Amelia Earhart's speech, 'A Woman's Place in Science,' which she delivered as a radio broadcast in 1935, speaks volumes just from the title itself.

Through this speech, Earhart asserted her belief that women can and should be whatever and wherever they want to be, including STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), and should be encouraged to do so.