In an interview from 2008, well-known American speechwriter, Ted Sorensen, discusses what has changed in the craft of speechwriting since he worked for John F. Kennedy. Sorensen says his access to President Kennedy and ability to even influence policy-making allowed him to pen good speeches for the president–such as the “Ask Not What Your Country Can Do For You” speech. He believes speechwriting is a “noble profession” and describes what makes a speech a great speech: “Short sentences.”
Tag: Politics and History
John F. Kennedy
2010 Copiapó Mining Accident
The Heroes of the Mining Incident
Jeff Hart, Matt Staffel, Doug Reeves and Jorge Herrera are all drillers that helped to rescue the 33 miners trapped underground during 2010′s Copiapó mining incident that took place in Chile. Here, a reporter interviews the four men on various aspects of their rescue mission. They discuss the type of … Continue reading
2010 Copiapó Mining Accident
Footage of the First Miner Rescued After the Copiapó Mining Accident
This video shows footage of the first of 33 miners being rescued after being trapped underground for over two months after a cave-in occurred in the San Jose Copper-Gold Mine in Copiapó, Chile. Many safety precautions were necessary for the rescue of the miners because quickly changing environmental factors could … Continue reading
2010 Copiapó Mining Accident
The Last Miner Rescued in Chile
Luis Urzua, the last miner rescued after the 2010 Copiapó Mining incident in Chile, is shown speaking with Chilean President Sebastián Piñera. Piñera welcomes Urzua back and gives a celebratory speech as all 33 miners were safely rescued. The president wraps-up the speech by leading the group of onlookers in … Continue reading
Scopes Trial
‘The Trial Took Place in a Circus Atmosphere’
In an old newsreel, a reporter outlines the basic facts of the Scopes Monkey Trial and talks about how the trial attracted a lot of publicity. The Scopes Trial took place in 1925 in Dayton, Tennessee and revolved around the topic of evolution versus creationism. A substitute teacher named John … Continue reading
Scopes Trial
The Face-Off Between Clarence Darrow & William Jennings Bryan
Eloise Reed, resident of Dayton, Tennessee and present during the Scopes Trial of 1925, explains the face-off that occurred between defense attorney Clarence Darrow and prosecutor William Jennings Bryan. Darrow, a well-known criminal lawyer and agnostic, called Bryan–a fundamentalist Christian and leader of the Democratic Party–to the witness stand during … Continue reading
Scopes Trial
The Significance of the ‘Monkey Trial’
David Menton, a creation scientist with a Ph.D in cell biology, analyzes the significance of the 1925 Scopes Trial, also known as the “Monkey Trial.” John Scopes, a teacher from a small town in Tennessee, was put on trial for teaching the theory of evolution in a state where laws … Continue reading
Bosnian War
[Trigger Warning] Why This Bosnian Woman Kept Her Child Conceived By Rape
In this interview, a Bosnian woman named Leila explains her decision to keep the child she became pregnant with after being raped in captivity. During the Bosnian War, the Army of the Republika Srpska is believed to have raped over 50,000 Bosnian Muslim women. After the war, the International Criminal Tribunal for … Continue reading
Bosnian War
Angelina Jolie ‘Felt a Responsibility’ to Learn About Bosnian War
Angelina Jolie explains the reason why she “felt a responsibility” to learn about the Bosnian War. Ultimately, Jolie’s personal interest in its harrowing legacy inspired “The Land of Milk and Honey,” her directional debut. The famous actress and humanitarian describes the making of the film and her experience while interviewing … Continue reading
New York City Blackout of 1977
Two D.J.’s Recall the Blackout
Disco Wiz and Grandmaster Caz, two D.J.’s in New York City during the early 1970s, give their account of what it was like to be present during the chaotic New York City blackout of 1977. The two describe the day of the blackout, recalling that they were D.J.-ing for a … Continue reading