Last Saturday, over two hundred thousand Americans, white and black, assembled at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington. The rally was organised by Glenn Beck, a conservative, controversial broadcaster. In his address, he invoked God, “Something that is beyond man is happening, America today begins to turn back to God.” The largely white, conservative audience was also a recipient of the words of wisdom which fell from the sensual lips of Sarah Palin, the photogenic former Governor of Alaska.
The impressive jamboree was of no particular interest to me. What caught my attention was the date — it was the 47th anniversary of the unforgettable “I have a dream” speech delivered by Martin Luther King Jr on August 28, 1963 from the same venue. A quarter million blacks had come from all parts of America to protest against American apartheid. King’s speech is among the most eloquent and inspiring utterance of the 20th century.
I was in New York at the time. I heard the memorable speech on TV. In several ways it changed America, as did Mr Obama’s election as president of the US. Forty-five years later, King’s speech was symbolic, simple, clear, high-minded, passionate and profoundly moving. One immediate result was the end of the use of the word Negro, although King had used the word several times in his speech. The new word was “Black”. Today the term used is African Americans.
What are the other memorable speeches of the 20th century? My very exclusive list consists of eight names.
Mahatma Gandhi’s statement at his trial in Ahmedabad in 1922 spelt out his political philosophy in unambiguous words. Gandhiji was not an unimpressive speaker, but his moral grandeur came through in the speech. Gandhiji was a master of the English language. “Non-violence is the first article of my faith and the last article of my creed”, said the Mahatma. This became the focal point of the Indian Freedom Movement.
Franklin D Roosevelt is the only American to be elected president of the US four times. In his first inaugural address on March 4, 1933, he uplifted the aspirations and hopes of a depressed nation, “This great nation will endure, as it has endured, will revive and prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself…”
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Winston Churchill’s speech in the House of Commons on June 6, 1940 revived the spirit of a nation in dire peril. Churchill said, “We shall go on to the end… we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight on the fields and in the streets… we shall never surrender.”
Twelve days later, General Charles de Gaulle addressed a prostrate France under the Nazi boot. He spoke from a BBC studio, immediately after his dramatic escape from France. On June 18, 1940, de Gaulle assured the people of France, “Whatever happens, the flame of French resistance must not and shall not die.”
Jawaharlal Nehru’s August 14-15 midnight speech is included in every collection of great speeches. It still resonates, “Long years ago, we made a tryst with destiny… it is fitting that on this solemn moment we take the pledge of dedication to the service of India and her people and to the still larger cause of humanity.”
On January 20, 1961, John F Kennedy was sworn in as the 35th president of the US. His speech on that morning is now a part of the collective memory of humankind: “Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.”
On April 20, 1964, at his trial on charges of treason, Nelson Mandela spoke for four hours. He concluded his stirring and most-courageous statement with these words, “I have cherished the ideal of a democratic society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and achieve. But if need be, it is an ideal which I am prepared to die for.”
A word about other Indian orators. S Radhakrishnan was not a public speaker, but his speeches to smaller audiences were exceptionally eloquent. No one came near his verbal lucidity. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was the greatest Urdu orator the country had produced. He always spoke extempore and could move his listeners in a manner few could match. Atal Bihari Vajpayee is the outstanding Hindi orator of all time. Some of his speeches were mesmerising. He could be sarcastic and witty, and always had his audience spellbound. In no time, he established rapport with his listeners. Words were used as lethal weapons when the need arose. He could put down his critics with devastating oratorical skills. All three mentioned above did have days when they were not in good form. But such days were few and far between.
Tailpiece
Judge to under-trial accused, “Are you guilty or not guilty?” Accused, “That is for you to decide.”