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Speeches

A guide to text, video, audio resources in print and electronic formats that document speeches of recognized leaders in politics and other fields

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Sarah Gilchrist
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Welcome

This guide will help you locate important speeches of U.S. and world leaders in variety of professional fields.

Use the nav bar to find:

  • full text of speeches using library databases
  • compilations of speeches in books in the library's collection
  • video resources in the AU Library
  • collections of speeches on the web in print, audio, and video formats

Transcripts of important speeches of major world leaders are often reproduced in major newspapers.  You may want to check the News and Newspaper Library Subject Guide for additional resources,  especially for recent speeches.

Speeches in American University Archives

American University Archives and Special Collections holds transcripts, audiotapes and videotapes of selected speeches given on campus.  These include speeches from American University commencements, Kennedy Political Union forums and other campus events.  For more information, contact University Archives at 202-885-3256 or archives@american.edu.

John F. Kennedy 's AU Commencement Speech 1963

On June 10 1963, John F. Kennedy gave one of his most important speeches in which he dealt with nuclear disarmament issues and put forth a "Strategy of Peace"