[Free Registration/Login Required] A result of detailed study, scholar Lewis E. Lehrman speaks of what the nation can learn from the model of Abraham Lincoln. He presents an overview of Lincoln's life and the magnitude of his speeches both prior to his election and during his role as the President of the United States. [28:46]

This easy-to-navigate site has Abraham Lincoln's biography, significant events in his life, an image gallery, and several video clips.

In this lesson, students gain a sense of the dramatic effect of FDR's voice on his audience, see the scope of what he was proposing in these first two "Fireside Chats," and make an overall analysis of why the series of speeches were so successful.

How did Abraham Lincoln understand the relationship between principles of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution?

Abraham Lincoln felt that the attempt of seven states to leave the American union peacefully was, in fact, a total violation of law and order. This lesson will examine Lincoln's First Inaugural Address to understand why he thought his duty as president required him to treat secession as an act of rebellion and not a legitimate legal or constitutional action by disgruntled states.

This lesson will examine the most famous speech in American history to understand how Lincoln turned a perfunctory eulogy at a cemetery dedication into a concise and profound meditation on the meaning of the Civil War and American union.

Students listen to a biography of Martin Luther King, Jr., view photographs of the March on Washington, and study King's use of imagery and allusion in his "I Have a Dream" speech.

Audio [2:26] and text of speech made by Sojourner Truth, Ain't I a Woman? (1851)

Recordings of eight speeches given by Calvin Coolidge during WWI (while he was governor) and the election of 1920. In realaudio and wav format, along with text transcriptions.

Miller Center offers a comprehensive look at Rutherford B. Hayes. Read essays about his administration, his controversial election, and his biography, as well as find his speeches and speeches about him.

Describes Preston Brooks' attack on Senator Charles Sumner, May 22, 1856, in the Senate after Sumner's famous speech, "Crimes Against Kansas."

The Awful Academic Talk and the Principles of Effective Talks are discussed and outlined with suggestions for a more interesting speech delivery. This was originally directed to those making academic presentations at a university or conference, but the same rules apply for most formal speech opportunities. You may need to cursor down to get the information. SL.9-10.4 Presentation, SL.11-12.4 Presentation

John F. Kennedy's inaugural speech is one of the most famous speeches in American history. Teachers can use this lesson to teach Language Arts standards, as well as Social Studies standards. This lesson plan includes pre-reading ideas, vocabulary explanations, discussion questions, and assessment ideas.