Since the founding of the nation, speeches have played an important role in shaping both political and cultural attitudes. As the country evolved and societal views changed, some of the greatest speeches put words to the feelings of the masses. Starting with seminal addresses such as Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” (1775) and George Washington's first inaugural address as president (1789), the most memorable speeches in American history have run the gamut from passionate political orations to era-defining deliverances, such as Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963. 

The material is organized into curated sections, each beginning with a brief introduction that examines the importance of the topic through speech transcripts and other historical documents. The documents contained within these sections provide an overview of the history and significance of each, and the wider ramifications felt not only in regards to the outcome of these speeches, but how they affected society as a whole.