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Our world is constantly being shaped by the visions and thoughts of great world leaders. Their words moved nations to build and destroy. Their fiery words fueled imaginations of millions. Who were these people? How did they do it? What makes their words change the history of the world?
Some words brought about a revolution, other words brought about destruction. Words are powerful. And the person who utters those words becomes the conqueror or destroyer of nations.
In this article, you will read some of the most powerful and potent words that were uttered by 5 famous Americans. Their words reflect the thought of a nation. Their words evoke patriotic feeling in every American heart.
1. Martin Luther King Jr.
"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character."
If you just read the first four words of Martin Luther King's famous speech, "I have a dream," you'd notice that it contains a distinct ring of hope and self-belief. It appeals to your sentiments as a family member, as a citizen, as a patriot. It moved the masses to dream that dream, to aspire for a nation free of injustice. It inspired people to look beyond superficial differences and embrace a united society. The phrase "I have a dream" was repeated 8 times in the famous speech, which left an indelible impression in the hearts of all Americans. The speech drew tremendous admiration from all sections of society.
Politicians, critics, analysts and revolutionary groups lauded Martin Luther King for his impressive oratory skills. King later went on to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Time magazine also decorated him with the title of Man of the Year for 1963 and 1964.
This speech had far reaching effects. The Civil Rights group organized the Great March on Washington, which was one of the largest human rights rallies in the history of America to get jobs and freedom for many of the minority classes. In 2003, an inscription of the famous speech was placed and commemorated at Lincoln Memorial at the exact spot where King delivered the speech. This speech has an electric effect on listeners even today.
2. Declaration of Independence
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.”
This historical sentence is a part of the Declaration of Independence, created by the founding fathers of the United States of America. This declaration became the bedrock of democratic principles and a charter of liberty and equality. Known as one of the most beautifully crafted sentences in English language, this quote inspired many countries including France, Belgium, Finland and India. France's Declarations of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was created along the lines of the American Declaration. In the coming centuries, many countries gained inspiration from these words.
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence at the behest of the Continental Congress in 1772. John Adams and Benjamin Franklin edited the final version, and the Congress presented and ratified the document on July 4, 1776. These famous words set the tone and political framework that made America resilient. President Abraham Lincoln set the policies in motion with his tireless efforts in uniting America under a single flag. These words changed the course of history and gave birth of a number of democracies.
3. Abraham Lincoln
"If slavery is not wrong, then nothing is wrong."
Abraham Lincoln, in a letter to Albert G. Hodges, editor of Frankfort Commonwealth, revealed his true intentions with a frankness that is quite uncommon among politicians in general. Abraham Lincoln wrote this letter in April 4, 1864, a year before he was assassinated.
Walking on a political minefield at a time when America was in the midst of a civil war, Lincoln shielded his party from sharp criticism and violent opposition. Most Americans at that time, including reputed businesspeople, statesmen, and notable personalities kept hundreds of slaves. Though they agreed in principle with Lincoln's line of thinking, they did not have the political will to commit to his designs.
Soon after Lincoln's death, the 13th Amendment to the Constitution abolished the act of slavery and granted equal rights and freedom to slaves. Today, we know America as a nation of diverse cultures, religion, color, and race. It would not have been possible if Abraham Lincoln had not rolled the dice in favor of emancipation of slaves. Lincoln had to pay the price for his liberal views with his life. But it was a political gamble that paid off in the long run.
4. Barack Obama
"Yes, we can.”
It was a chant of change that caused large ripples across 50 American states. The three words ushered in a new era of dynamic politics. Barack Obama, a United States Senator from Illinois, became the face of a new and bold America. The America that was finally ready to accept an African-American at the helm. The America that was ready to accept a sweeping change in the midst of racial prejudice. The winds were blowing in another direction. Household favorites like the Kennedys, Bush, and Clintons were forgotten. Obama went on to win a landslide victory.
These three words were some of the most powerful words used by any American politician in modern history. Given the context and the undercurrent that forced a large democratic nation to act in unison, this quote could by far be the most powerful quote in American history.
5. Neil Armstrong
"That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."
The year was 1969. President Kennedy was getting restless. His election mandate included American superiority over Soviet Union in space exploration. He had put his political career in the line when he promised the world that before the end of the decade, America would have put at least one man on the moon.
Amidst mounting political pressure, bulging financial costs, and international attention, Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin took off on the on July 20, 1969 in Apollo 11, a state-of-the-art spaceship that was designed to land on the moon.
Nobody could have imagined the magnitude of that moment when Neil Armstrong stepped out of his ship, down a flight of steps to set his foot on the moon. The entire world gasped in collective admiration. The Eagle had finally landed. With this one step, not just did mankind take a giant leap, America carved its position on the world map. It probably changed the course of history forever.
Many manned and unmanned space exploration projects took place after the famed Apollo 11 program. NASA's recent robotic space mission, the Mars Rover project in 2012, is a culmination of the same scientific thought. Today, USA is considered the leading body in the field of space exploration primarily because of the think tank that made Apollo 11 possible.
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