In 10 separate live classes students will learn about 10 speeches in American history that together tell the story of American history.  These are ten speeches form a thread, and students will learn about the events taking place leading up to and following the speeches, but each speech is also an inconic moment in history worthy of our attention.

This is an engaging class that encourages student participation, but participation is not required. Polls, quizzes, and other activities will be utilized during class to engage students. We also use a program in this class called "Nearpod" where students will have access to slides, watch videos, and enter VR to tour places where these speeches took place. Class will end each with on Nearpod with a contest to test our knowledge of the subject on Nearpod.

In each session we will learn about:

Session 1:
George Washington's Farewell Address
"...and that, after forty five years of my life dedicated to its service with an upright zeal, the faults of incompetent abilities will be consigned to oblivion, as myself must soon be to the mansions of rest."

Session 2:
Frederick Douglass: What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?
“This Fourth of July is yours, not mine, You may rejoice, I must mourn.”

Session 3:
Abraham Lincoln: Second Inaugural Address
"With malice toward none; with charity for all..."

Session 4:
Sojourner Truth: Ain't I a Woman?
"I have borne thirteen children, and seen most all sold off to slavery, and when I cried out with my mother's grief, none but Jesus heard me! And ain't I a woman?"

Session 5: Theodore Roosevelt: Citizenship in a Republic
"The credit belong to the man who is actually in the arena."

Session 6:
John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address
"Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country."

Session 7:
Martin Luther King: I Have a Dream
“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.”

Session 8:
Richard Nixon's Resignation Speech
"Therefore, I shall resign the Presidency effective at noon tomorrow."

Session 9:
Ronald Reagan at the Branenburg Gate
"Mr. Gorbachev, Tear down this wall!"

Session 10:
Barack Obama's Selma Speech
“They proved that nonviolent change is possible; that love and hope can conquer hate.”

This is a great survey course of iconic moments in American history and students will be inspired by these larger than life figures.