As these famous short speeches prove, it's not always about the quantity of words spoken that make a difference, it's more about the quality of the words chosen to make an impact and go down in history. What are some of the best famous short speeches? From the notable Gettysburg Address given by Abraham Lincoln to words of wisdom and inspiration shared by Winston Churchill to young children, these short speeches by men and women will be remembered for generations to come.
Many of these famous speeches are remembered for the impact they made on the world, be it reacting to a historical or political situation, like Roosevelt's speech after the bombing of Pearl Harbor; saying farewell to a career, like the notable sports speech Loui Gherig gave to say goodbye to baseball; or discussing the end of an era, like Napoleon Bonapart's Farewell to the Old Guard Speech. Some of the shortest speeches ever given were also the most memorable.
What are the most famous short speeches? Are you looking for a few-minute-long easy speech to memorize and recite? Whatever the reason for the speech, these words of wisdom remain notable decades after the fact and will continue to be notable for decades to come.
Speaking to fans at "Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day" at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939, legendary baseball player Lou Gehrig explained how he was "the luckiest man on the face of the earth."
Speaking to a group of school children on October 29, 1941, United Kingdom Prime Minister Winston Churchill provided inspiration and advice to the crowd in this notable short speech.
United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt addressed the Joint Session of Congress on December 8, 1941, just one day after Japan attacked the Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii. The short speech was later dubbed the "Infamy Speech" due to Roosevelt describing the attack as "a date which will live in infamy."
Addressing the nation after the Space Shuttle Challenger tragically exploded 73 seconds after launch on January 28, 1986, President Ronald Reagan attempted to console a shaken nation with this speech.
One of the most famous speeches in United States history, President Abraham Lincoln spoke during the Civil War on November 19, 1863.
Speaking to fans at "Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day" at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939, legendary baseball player Lou Gehrig explained how he was "the luckiest man on the face of the earth."
After the failed invasion of Russia and a defeat by the Allies, Napoleon Bonapart addressed his troops on April 20, 1814, to issue his farewell.
