Aware of This? The 10 Most Eloquent Presidents People Loved their Speeches

History has given us a plethora of incredible role models and inspirational sayings by some of the world’s most influential people. It is gratifying to know that many of those motivational speeches and eloquently spoken quotes were initiated by none other than our very own presidents.

The impact of many presidential speeches went well beyond the borders of the United States, stretching across the globe to instill emotions like courage, compassion, and love in people who were not even citizens of America. And in our own country, patriotism ran rampant after the empowering speeches of some of history’s most renowned presidents.

Here are excerpts from ten of the most eloquent presidents and their incredibly powerful speeches.

10 Presidential Speeches the World Will Never Forget

 

1. John F. Kennedy’s Inaugural Address

Arguably the most patriotic speech ever penned by a politician, our 35th president rocked the nation with his impassioned plea in 1961 for the citizens of the United States to come together for the good of the country rather than for each individual person.

His entire speech was eloquent in its entirety, but is summed up with these two sentences:

“And so, 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.”

 

2. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “Fireside Chat”

Roosevelt chose a casual setting to discuss a real problem that affected every person in the country, but his whole presidency was based on this familiarity, too. When he was beginning to implement his New Deal legislation, he sat down and explained everything crucial for citizens to know, without the interference of the media polluting the truth. This began a tradition of presidents directly speaking to the citizens on important matters and encouraging people to make their own decisions without listening to rumors. For more on the New Deal and Roosevelt’s campaign slogan, read this blog.

His fireside chat in March 1933 addressed the audience as “friends,” and Roosevelt quickly garnered the approval of the majority of the country after this speech:

“My friends, I want to talk for a few minutes with the people of the United States about banking…confidence and courage are the essentials of success in carrying out our plan. You people must have faith. You must not be stampeded by rumors or guesses..It is your problem, my friends. Your problem no less than it is mine. Together, we cannot fail.”

 

3. Dwight Eisenhower’s Farewell Address

When Eisenhower was leaving the office and welcoming in JFK as our new president in 1961, he gave a speech that warned the world that a modern era was approaching. In this new era, he predicted that the government, the military, and big business all would join together and this “misplaced power” could turn “disastrous.”

He pleaded with the country to keep the combination of the three big forces from endangering the foundations of the United States with this speech:

“Until the latest of our world conflicts, the United States had no armaments industry. But we can no longer risk emergency improvisation of national defense…In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist. We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic process.”

 

4. Ronald Reagan’s Address on the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster

In January 1986, the United States dealt with a tragedy when the much-awaited space shuttle Challenger was set to go into space, but instead exploded while millions of people looked on in terror. Not only was this a harsh blow to NASA and the space industry, but it also was an emotional time for many people as they felt the wave of pain and sadness.

Although it was a devastating tragedy, it tied millions of Americans together and united them in one common bond of grief. Then President Ronald Reagan assisted in tying the bond tighter with his speech:

“The future doesn’t belong to the faint-hearted but to the brave. The Challenger crew was pulling us into the future, and we’ll continue to follow them…The crew of the space shuttle Challenger honored us by the manner in which they lived their lives. We will never forget them nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye, and slipped the surly bonds of Earth to touch the face of God.”

 

5. Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Great Society” Speech at the University of Michigan

Lyndon B. Johnson was another notable president in the ‘60s. In 1964, his “Great Society” speech, delivered at the University of Michigan on May 22, was so on point that it was almost like he was predicting the future. Johnson’s impassioned words asked the nation to focus on creating wealth, but not to use it for personal gain. Instead, he urged that we use our wealth to improve the nation and each other.

Johnson’s speech could easily be repeated today as many Americans feel the lack of idealism and patriotism and focus on wealth for the individual. The reminder that when the country is successful, the individuals are successful can be heard here:

“The challenge of the next half-century is whether we have the wisdom to use that wealth to enrich and elevate our national life and to advance the quality of our American civilization. Your imagination and your initiative and your indignation will determine whether we build a society where progress is the servant of our needs or a society where old values and new visions are buried under unbridled growth. For in your time, we have the opportunity to move not only toward the rich society and the powerful society, but upward to the Great Society. “

 

6. George W. Bush’s “Get On Board” Speech

George W. Bush was president during one of the biggest acts of terrorism the United States had ever seen. On 9/11/2011, the country was attacked by terrorists in a tragedy that left thousands of people dead and hundreds of millions of others shocked, terrified and devastated. Bush had to step in and save the country from the emotional damage that would follow the devastation without a rock to hold everyone together.

He did this in the simple, eloquent way that he was famous for, with few words and a common sense truth:

“When they struck they wanted to create an atmosphere of fear, and one of the great goals of this war is…to tell the traveling public: Get on board. Do your business around the country. Fly and enjoy America’s great destination spots. Get down to Disney World in Florida. Take your families and enjoy life the way we want it to be enjoyed.”

 

7. Barack Obama’s “A More Perfect Union” Speech

The nation’s first non-white president, Barack Obama, was elected in 2008. He knew that this fact would cause dissension in the country, so he addressed it in his inaugural speech looking to create “ a more perfect union.” He was direct and to the point, discussing a topic that had previously been hushed up and considered taboo. His reasoning was that he felt that Americans were finally able to make their own educated opinions by evaluating history and the effects and seeing how racial intolerance had caused so many problems.

In Obama’s speech, he gave the gift of hope to the nation that the citizens could get beyond racial boundaries and become a more perfect union:

“But I have asserted a firm conviction, a conviction rooted in my faith in God and my faith in the American people, that working together we can move beyond some of our old racial wounds, and that in fact, we have no choice. We have no choice if we are to continue on the path of a more perfect union…What we know, what we have seen, is that America can change. That is the true genius of this nation. What we have already achieved gives us hope, the audacity to hope, for what we can and must achieve tomorrow.”

 

8. Theodore Roosevelt’s “The Man with the Muck Rake” Speech

Way back in 1906, over a century ago, Theodore Roosevelt knew that money was going to bring down the compassion of man to man. He pleaded with citizens to work together to give everyone equal opportunity to succeed, and to remember that an individual’s character was the foundation of life.

“More important than aught else is the development of the broadest sympathy of man for man. The welfare of the wage worker, the welfare of the tiller of the soil, upon these depend the welfare of the entire country; their good is not to be sought in pulling down others; but their good must be the prime object of all our statesmanship.”

 

9. Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address

One of the most famous presidential speeches ever, and one with far-reaching impacts across the country, is Abraham Lincoln’s 1863 dedication of the Battle of Gettysburg’s site as a national cemetery. In this speech, Lincoln urged American citizens to continue to do the unfinished work of all who died in battle – to fight for freedom for the country.

“The world will little note nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here…that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.”

 

10. George Washington’s First Inaugural Address

Our first president, George Washington , set the stage for all other presidents with his inaugural speech in 1789.

“Having thus imparted to you my sentiments as they have been awakened by the occasion which brings us together… so His divine blessing may be equally ‘conspicuous’ in the enlarged views, the temperate consultations, and the wise measures on which the success of this Government must depend.”

 

 

Are You Aware of These Motivational Speeches?

For more motivation from our country’s most powerful leaders, read the entire speeches, but these main excerpts have resounded over centuries as inspirations for millions of people during some of their darkest hours.

Catching a Breather: 5 Ways to Keep Your Toddler Busy

While you may be tempted to sit your toddler in front of the tv and call that a fun activity as you catch a breather, it is a far cry from keeping your little one busy. There are fun and exciting ways to stimulate, challenge, and keep your toddler busy and out of your hair. Here are five easy ways to keep your toddler distracted and entertained.

Playdough

Playdough is a great way for your toddler to be creative. Whether it’s homemade dough or store bought jello playdough, your toddler squashing and rolling a piece of playdough can play on the senses and spark curiosity. The best thing about playdough is that it allows for your toddler to play “make pretend,” from monsters and aliens, craters, candy, cupcakes, pizzas, mom and dad, houses, to eyes. Provide a tray, playdough, and a comfortable space, and let your toddler’s imagination run wild.

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Shape Sorter

Sorting is a way to stay busy, and creating a shape sorting activity for your toddler may be just what you need to get a little me time. It’s a fun and a useful activity that your child can enjoy, identifying and naming shapes. You’ll need a shape sorter with accompanying shapes. Instruct your toddler to put specific shapes into the sorter, such as “find the circle,” or a specific coloured shape, for example, “show me green triangle.” Shape sorter is a great example of “learning is fun.”

Chunky Puzzles

A puzzle doesn’t have to be a puzzle, or maybe you need it to be to keep your toddler busy. Either way, there are many easy and enjoyable puzzles that your toddler can do on his or her own. Getting chunky puzzles of stories, your toddler likes, alphabet shapes, and farm animals can keep your child excited and engaged. Puzzle boards can be 4, 6 or, 9 pieces. Be sure to build the puzzle and show how it makes a picture before allowing your toddler to go at it alone.

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Race Cars on Tape

One of the best toys for 2 year old boys are cars, and if you want to keep your toddler busy, create a race track on the floor using masking tape. If your boy doesn’t already have a little toy collection, buy him his favorite toy car, create a track in the hallway, then let him race his car or cars down the track, while you put your feet up.

Nature in a Bag

There are many colorful things out in nature that are a marvel for your toddler. Creating a sensory nature bag gives your child something to explore. Fill a small bag with things like different leaves, grass, pine cones, and rocks, and let your toddler reach into the bag and discover each item.

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There are many easy and exciting ways to keep your toddler busy. Let your toddler get creative with playdough, solve chunky puzzles, sort shapes, race their fast car and explore nature in a bag. All the while, you catch a breather.

Mga Kwento Ni Nanay: A Storytelling Workshop

Children love stories!  Undoubtedly, children love hearing stories in whatever form – in print, read to them, read on their own, on television, in movies, etcetera. It may sound surprising to some, but majority of children prefer listening to stories read to them by their moms.  They may not always enthusiastically show it but they do love it when their parents read them stories before they sleep at night.  Try to recall your own childhood. I’m pretty sure you treasure those bedtime stories your mom used to read to you.

I believe that all mothers are natural storytellers.  Some just need a little prodding to help bring out this gift.  This weekend may just be the right time to unleash the Mother Goose in you.  On November 24 and 25, the Gateway Gallery in partnership with Adarna House is holding the 2nd Mga Kwento ni Nanay: A Storytelling Workshop.  This workshop is designed to strengthen the reading campaign of the Gateway Gallery by involving parents, guardian, teachers and volunteers in the community.  If you want to learn helpful techniques to become an effective storyteller, this workshop is perfect for you.

This activity not only emphasizes the benefits of reading but espouses spending quality time with our children for their overall development.  We’ve often been told that the best gift we can give to our loved ones is time.  Well, what better way to spend that time than sharing stories with our children.

Mga Kwento ni Nanay: A Storytelling Workshop is just one among many programs of the Gateway Gallery that promotes the benefits of reading and the importance of literacy in our society.  Read on to learn more about this advocacy.

 

Press Release

The Gateway Gallery, managed by the J. Amado Araneta Foundation (JAAF) – the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of the Araneta Group, strongly believes in the importance of reading and literacy. In June 12 this year, the Gallery unveiled its “Liwanag Reading Corner”, a 7-piece mobile wooden sculpture inspired by the story of the Lamp and the Moth told by Teodora Alonzo to the young boy Jose Rizal. This one-of-a-kind art piece aims to promote our Filipino heritage and encourage reading by showcasing select books on Philippine history, culture and arts for all ages.

GATEWAY GALLERY PROGRAM

Reading has insurmountable benefits that cannot be neglected. It fosters individual growth that can spur national development. Encouragingly, the Philippines does not lag behind on basic literacy. In 2013, 96.5 percent of 74 million Filipinos 10 years old and over were basically literate. Basic or simple literacy – is the ability of a person to read and write with understanding a simple message in any language or dialect. Furthermore, nine out of every ten Filipinos 10 to 64 years were functionally literate. Functional literacy includes not only reading and writing but also numeracy skills. The skills must be sufficiently advanced to enable the individual to participate fully and efficiently in activities commonly occurring in his life situation that require a reasonable capability of communicating by written language. A functional literate person is one who can at least read, write, compute and/or comprehend. Also, persons who graduated from high school or completed higher level of education are classified as functionally literate.

Though the statistics looks good, the number significantly drops when comprehension or higher level of literacy is considered. Only 5 out of 10 elementary graduates can read, write, compute and comprehend. While this number improves as the students reach high school, only about 60% of the population actually reaches high school thus, attaining this level of literacy. Employment/ looking for work (28.8%), Family income not sufficient to send child to school (15.7), and lack of personal interest (14.9) are top 3 reasons for not attending school/ dropping out.

PROGRAM OBJECTIVE

The Gateway Gallery Reading Program aims to foster literacy or love for reading and books among Filipino children. It supplements the current DepEd programs on improving the literacy rate in the country with emphasis on promotion of Filipino history, arts, and culture.

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Unveiled during the Philippine Independence Day on June 12, 2017, the “Liwanag Reading Corner” is a 7-piece mobile wooden sculpture inspired by the story of the Lamp and the Moth told by Teodora Alonzo to the young boy Jose Rizal. The one of a kind art piece aims to promote our Filipino heritage and encourage reading by showcasing select books on Philippine history, culture and arts for all ages in the gallery.

Kuwentuhang Adarna sa Gateway Gallery is a monthly storytelling session for community children. The activity aims to promote book enjoyment through animated storytelling and activities. The stories are told by storytellers from Adarna House using Adarna books. The session ends with distribution of snacks and educational gifts.

The Liwanag Reading Caravan is a storytelling – school campaign where celebrity storytellers visit nearby schools to promote the value and habit of reading. It also encourages the students to visit Gateway Gallery’s Liwanag Reading Corner for some “after-school reading”.

Mga Kwento ni Nanay is a one-day storytelling workshop designed to strengthen the reading campaign of the Gallery by enlisting parents, guardian, teachers and volunteers in the community. Participants are briefed on the value of reading and helpful techniques to become effective storytellers. The activity not only emphasizes the benefits of reading but espouses spending quality time with the children for their overall development.

In the last 5 months since they launched their reading program, they were able to reach 230 children, trained nearly 100 storytellers and distributed more than 150 books.

This November 24 & 25, as celebrate the National Reading Month, the Gateway Gallery is holding its 2nd Mga Kwento ni Nanay : A Storytelling Workshop in partnership with Adarna House. The workshop is designed to strengthen the reading campaign of the Gallery by involving parents, guardian, teachers and volunteers in the community. Participants are briefed on the value of reading and helpful techniques to become effective storytellers. The activity not only emphasizes the benefits of reading but espouses spending quality time with children for their overall development.

Don’t Be Afraid to Learn a Musical Instrument

Learning a musical instrument can seem like an incredibly daunting task. That’s especially true if you’re an adult who has never played before. After all, most of the people you know who play anything probably started when they were kids or teenagers.

Whether you’re in your mid-20s or your mid-60s though, you can learn to play any musical instrument you want. While it may require a lot of hard work on your part, learning to play music can be incredibly rewarding.

Keep reading to learn more about how you can overcome your fear of learning to play a musical instrument, as well as some tips on how you can get started. After all, once you get that instrument in your hands and a little practice under your belt, the fear of the unknown is likely to melt away quite quickly.

Buy a Quality Instrument

When young children are learning to play music for the first time, it might not make sense to invest in a decent instrument. However, since you’re an adult with your own income, making an investment in good quality musical equipment makes a lot more sense.

By purchasing something decent to play, you’ll be setting yourself up to learn the fundamentals on an instrument that allows for better performance. That can mean a lot, especially during the first frustrating phase where everything seems impossible.

Since you’ll only be starting on the learning phase, consider purchasing the instrument at a beginner level. Should you choose to play a string instrument like a violin, it’ll be best to use a beginner violin so you familiarize yourself with the instrument.

Purchasing a good quality instrument also means that it should have some resale value on the used market. If you buy a used instrument, you may even be able to sell it for the same amount you bought it for if you decide it isn’t for you. You could also opt to give your instrument a new look by customizing it using wraps and customizable skin from e-stores such as Rockskins (http://rockskins.com) and similar others!

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Don’t Ignore Music Books

Music books aren’t the only helpful resource for adults learning an instrument, but things like music workbooks can really go a long way for many people. When you’re first learning, basic chord books and scale books can also do a lot for your progress.

Find a local music shop and pick up beginner’s books that look appealing to you.

Beginner Music Workbook - Teachers' Edition The Help BookIntermediate Music Workbook

 

Consider Private Lessons

If you can afford it, private lessons will help you learn your instrument in a fast, efficient way. Even if you don’t take private lessons for months or years, getting a few when you first start can help you master the fundamentals, making learning the rest on your own considerably easier.

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See You at The Biggest Homeschool Conference in the Philippines!

When we started homeschooling last June, I thought it would be a breeze for me.  I have almost two decades of experience as an academic tutor(yes, I’m THAT old!) . I’ve taught multi-level students in all academic subjects.  My kids are still in grade school, so, how hard could that be, right?

Well, our first quarter was a humbling experience for me.  I think I learned more from it than my kids did.  I was too concerned about meeting the academic requirements that I tried to replicate traditional school in our homeschooling.  We followed the usual school schedule, I had written quizzes and long tests prepared, we read and answered textbooks and worksheets.

However, as I met other homeschooling parents both personally and online, I realized that homeschooling wasn’t about bringing “school” in our home.  It is about molding our children’s values and character. It is about helping our children discover their potentials. It is about equipping them to be productive members of society.

One thing I also realized is how important it is to have support from other homeschooling families.  Now, whenever I can, I attend workshops and seminars to further equip myself in my role as a teacher and a mother and to foster friendship with others who have chosen this same path.

Philippine Homeschool Conference 2016

This month, I will be joining other homeschooling families in the country’s biggest homeschool conference.  Whatever stage you are in homeschooling now or whether you’re still contemplating about homeschooling your children, you shouldn’t miss this year’s conference aptly themed “From Roots to Wings: Homeschooling through the Stages”.

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Bearing the theme in mind, the PHC 2016’s line-up of speakers includes international and local speakers who are passionate homeschooling advocates, and are also experienced homeschoolers. They will inspire participants to provide their children with “roots,” build their foundation, and give them “wings” so they can soar to greater heights.

  • “Building a Firm Foundation” by Deonna Tan-Chi and her daughter Joy Tan-Chi Mendoza
  • “Motivation: The Art and Science of Helping Children Learn Well” by U.S.-based speaker Andrew Pudewa
  • “Wings to Soar: Leaving a Legacy for Our Children” by Bo Sanchez

(Click here to know more about the keynote speakers)

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The PHC 2016 also has an amazing line-up of BREAKOUT SESSIONS. New and experienced homeschoolers alike will definitely find something “fit” for their unique homeschooling situation in the practical breakout sessions lined up for the conference.  The sessions will cover topics like the ins and outs of homeschooling in the Philippines, laying the foundation in preschool, homeschooling the high school years, and transitioning to and from brick-and-mortar schools, among others.

(Click here to know more about the breakout sessions)

Aside from these, there are also Kids’ Activities, a great Expo, and lots of Raffle Prizes during the conference.  There are really so many awesome reasons why you should attend this conference!  Register early to avail of the regular rate of P1000, or the group rate of P4500 for 5. Walk-in or on the day payment will be P1200.  So, see you on the 22nd of October at the SMX Convention Center, SMX Aura Premier in Taguig City.  Registration starts at 7am.

(Click here to REGISTER to the PHC 2016)

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Follow the following social media accounts to get updates and help spread the word about the PHC 2016:

Or look for the hashtags #PHC2016 and/or #fromrootstowingsphc

For more details of the PHC 2016 registration process, program, speakers’ profiles, and other details, please visit the PHC 2016 event organizer’s website www.educatingforlife.co

ABOUT THE PHC 2016 ORGANIZERS

The Homeschool Association of the Philippine Islands (HAPI), is a non-stock, non-profit organisation that aims to equip homeschooling groups and organisations in growing the national homeschooling movement. HAPI has partnered with Educating For Life (EFL) to mount the Philippine Homeschool Conference 2016. EFL was founded by homeschooling parents to support families who have courageously decided to take the path less taken in educating their children.