With the 4th of July tomorrow, here is my 10th TT. I'm sorry that it is a little bit more geared towards the second half of the century than the early years.
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Thirteen Quotes From Important Moments in US Political History of the 20th Century
(In chronological order, feel free to disagree or add your own).
1. "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
Speaker: Franklin D. Roosevelt
Date: March 4, 1933
Chosen because: I give a lot of credit to FDR for promoting the welfare state
and introducing the radical idea in this country that the government might
actually take care of its citizens. For me, this quote shows his leadership in
not only being an emotional "hand holder" for the country during this time, but
for his leadership in creating new programs.
2. "December 7th, 1941, a date which will live in infamy."
Speaker: Franklin D. Roosevelt
Date: December 8, 1941
Chosen because: Well, it's infamous. ;)
3. "The world will note that the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima."
Speaker: Harry S. Truman
Date: August 9, 1945
Chosen because: Would forever change the way the world views conflict between major powers.
4. "Have you no sense of decency?"
Speaker: Joseph Welch
Date: June 9, 1954
Chosen because: I think this sentence sums up how many of us often feel about government. Also, it came at a time when things were seriously out of control in our government and we saw how willing people are to go with the flow and believe certain things.
5. "I have a dream..."
Speaker: Martin Luther King, Jr.
Date: August 28, 1963
Chosen because: I don't think this really needs an explanation of its importance.
6. "I'm about to sign into law the Civil Rights Act of 1964."
Speaker: Lyndon B. Johnson
Date: August (?) 1964
Chosen because: A landmark piece of legislation that showed presidential courage. Also a defining moment in political history as, just as Johnson predicted, the south would be lost to the Democratic party.
7. "I have today ordered to Vietnam...additional forces will be needed later and they will be sent."
Speaker: Lyndon B. Johnson
Date: July 28, 1965
Chosen because: Well, the Vietnam War was a pretty big part of history that will always be with us.
8. "I have some very sad news for all of you, Martin Luther King was shot and was killed tonight in Memphis, Tennessee."
Speaker: Robert F. Kennedy
Date: April 4, 1968
Chosen because: Not only the death of an important figure, but a moment that showed the skills of another.
9. "...I shall resign the presidency effective at noon tomorrow."
Speaker: Richard M. Nixon
Date: August 8, 1974
Chosen because: The most powerful man in the world stepped down without a single gun being fired.
10. "I don't think it was wrong...I think it was a neat idea."
Speaker: Oliver North
Date: July 1987 (?)
Chosen because: This casual reference towards the president and officials engaging in something inappropriate and unethical as "a neat idea" is quite disturbing.
11. "Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."
Speaker: Lloyd Bentsen
Date: October 5, 1988
Chosen because: I did not include a Kennedy quote in this list although there are a few that almost made the cut. I decided to instead include this one because it shows how strong of an impact Kennedy had. His influence can be seen in how eager politicians are to mention the late president and draw parallels.
12. "The skies over Baghdad have been illuminated. This is thunder, this is lightning, this is death - this is hell."
Speaker: Bernard Shaw
Date: 1991
Chosen because of the foreshadowing it offers.
13. "The young killers of Columbine High School do not stand for the spirit of America. We can rise up and we can say 'No more.'"
Speaker: Al Gore
Date: April 25, 1999
Chosen because: This one is much more powerful when heard than when read, but I think there are so many events and issues to which we want to say 'no more'.
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Happy 4th! Since I am working for a political campaign, and the 4th of July is also National Politician Day, I will be hitting up three parades
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