Go

          

Ten Famous Speeches in American History

Ten Famous Speeches in American History

Ten Famous Speeches in American History

Listen to ten of the most famous historical speeches in American history. For the past three years we've featured hundreds of free audio & video resources as part of our Free Resource of the Day Emails. From these resources we've selected the top 10 free speeches from American history from famous speakers such as Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., John F. Kennedy, and more . You can check them all out by clicking the link below:

Ten Famous Speeches in American History

Here are the top five speeches in American history that we've selected:

1. Gettysburg Address

For our first speech, we thought it fitting to feature Lincoln's most famous speech delivered at the dedication of the Soldiers' National Cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania during the American Civil War. American Rhetoric offers the speech in four different versions, one narrated by musician Johnny Cash, and the others read by actors Jeff Daniels, Sam Waterson, and Jim Getty. Sam Waterson has portrayed Lincoln on TV and film and delivers the address in how we typically assume Lincoln to sound like. Jim Getty is one of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania’s "most recognized" residents as he often plays the role of Lincoln there, and his reading sounds like a historical reenactment. Johnny Cash strums the guitar on his reading and Jeff Daniels offers the most dramatic reading complete with orchestral accompaniment. The speech is about 2 minutes and 30 seconds and is available on streaming audio from American Rhetoric.

2. I Have a Dream Audio and Video

One of our favorite free titles in our free directory is Martin Luther King, Jr.'s classic "I Have a Dream" speech. Delivered on August 28th, 1963 at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., King's passionate call for justice and equality was the battle cry for the civil rights movement in America. Choose from an audio version of the speech from American Rhetoric or a video version from YouTube.

3. Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death" Speech

Download this free inspiring speech delivered by Patrick Henry on the brink of the Revolutionary War. This key speech in American history called forth the Founding Fathers to break the encroaching chains of slavery put on them by the British. It's a stirring cry for freedom delivered with gusto by narrator Jon Reiss, and it's available for MP3 download through LearnOutLoud.com.

4. Remarks on the Assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated during his campaign for president in June of 1968. Two months before his tragic death, on April 4, 1968, Robert F. Kennedy delivered a moving eulogy on the night of Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. In the speech he calls for "love, and wisdom, and compassion toward one another, and a feeling of justice toward those who still suffer within our country". This great 5 minute speech is available on streaming audio and MP3 download from American Rhetoric.

5. D-Day Pre-Invasion Address to Soldiers

Listen to General Dwight D. Eisenhower's D-Day Pre-Invasion Address delivered on the morning of June 6th, 1944. This short, inspiring message was delivered to 175,000 soldiers of the allied expeditionary force. This speech is available on MP3 download and streaming audio from American Rhetoric.

Enjoy these great free speeches during this Independence Day weekend!

Common Sense by Thomas Paine for Free!

As the 4th of July holiday approaches, we wanted to feature a free patriotic audio book for the month of July. What could be more patriotic than Thomas Paine's Common Sense? Published on January 10, 1776, this pamphlet argued for independence from British rule, and through its convincing prose and widespread circulation in the colonies it played a major role in sparking the American Revolution!

Download Common Sense by Thomas Paine

In Common Sense, Thomas Paine lays out his arguments against British rule over America and against the English constitution which is ruled by monarchy and aristocracy, both which he feels do not serve society. He also lays out a plan for America that would secure "freedom and property to all men, and the free exercise of religion." Download this hugely influential book in American history!

This unabridged audio book is presented for free courtesy of FreeAudio.org. It has a running time of 2 Hrs. and is available on MP3 and bookmarkable MPEG-4 download through LearnOutLoud.com today!

Download Common Sense by Thomas Paine

Listen to an American Classic

Are you going on a road trip or taking a plane flight this 4th of July weekend? Why not celebrate the holiday by listening to a classic work of American literature? We feature over 100 American Classics on MP3 Download:

Download American Classics Audio Books on MP3

The following unabridged American Classic audio books are great for trips, in that they can usually be completed over the course of your trip:

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

Ethan Frome by Edith Wharton

The Call of the Wild by Jack London

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

And here's one that might take a little longer, but make a dedication to listen to it by the end of this summer:

Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Download an American classic today!


--> LearnOutLoud.com E-Magazine No. 112 - July 1st, 2009