Memorizing a speech can be tricky. Perhaps you need to memorize one for academic purposes, to fulfill a requirement for a speech class, for example. Or you'd simply like to show off your wit and oratory skill to your friends or family by having a famous speech committed to memory. Many compelling historical speeches are relatively easy to commit to memory.
The Gettysburg Address
"Four score and seven years ago..." begins one of the most famous speeches in our nation's history, given by President Abraham Lincoln in 1863 at the dedication of the Soldier's National Cemetery on the site of the Battle of Gettysburg. According to The Library of Congress website, famed orator Edward Everett, who preceded Lincoln at the event spoke for two hours; conversely the President required a mere two minutes to convey his thoughts. A speech lasting only several minutes containing a little over 250 words make for easy memorization.
Farewell to the Old Guard
On April 20, 1814, after his failed invasion of Russia, Napoleon Bonaparte was forced to abdicate his throne and admit his defeat to the Allied powers. His speech, titled "Farewell to the Old Guard," was a short yet moving expression of his love for his country and his appreciation of his loyal subordinates. In the courtyard at Fountainbleau, as historyplace.com states, Napoleon bid adieu to his remaining faithful officers: "For twenty years I have constantly accompanied you on the road to honor and glory. In these latter times, as in the days of our prosperity, you have invariably been models of courage and fidelity." The text of the speech, merely two short paragraphs, is even shorter than the Gettysburg Address.
Faulkner Accepting the Nobel Prize
Born in Mississippi, William Faulkner is recognized as one of the most prolific and deep American writers of the modern era. Such recognition was confirmed in 1949 when the Nobel Academy awarded him the Nobel Prize for Literature. His acceptance speech addressed the newly arisen fears of nuclear warfare, as well as the duties of young writers to serve as one of the "pillars" of man, "to help him endure and prevail." This speech is medium length at over 500 words, but not unmanageable, due to its conversational tone and uncomplicated vocabulary.
On Women's Right to Vote
In 1872, Susan B. Anthony was arrested for illegally casting a vote in a presidential election, because women had not yet been granted the right to vote. Her work, along with the work of other suffragists, eventually succeeded in securing women's suffrage with the passage of the 19th amendment in 1920. This speech, given in 1873, is both powerful and persuasive. It contains the entire text of the preamble of the Constitution; so if you already have that memorized, the rest is a series of rather short paragraphs.
