Today, let’s look at some more great speeches...
“Ich bin ein Berliner” (I am a Berliner) was said by President John F. Kennedy on the 26 th June 1963 in Berlin. The speech was a great morale booster for West Berliners who lived in an enclave following the construction by the Soviets of the Berlin Wall.
“The Eagle has landed,” was said by astronaut Neil Armstrong when Apollo 11 landed in the Sea of Tranquillity on the moon on the 20th July 1969. When he stepped out onto the moon surface he said one of the most famous phrases ever. “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Today, let’s look at some famous speeches that changed the world. Here is a selection.
“Freedom or death” – In the struggle to get women the vote, Great Briton Emmeline Pankhurst made her famous speech in Hartford, Connecticut, USA, on the 13th November 1913.
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” was said by Franklin D. Roosevelt on the 4th March 1933.
“I have nothing to offer but blood, sweat, toil and tears.” This speech was made by Sir Winston Churchill on the 13th May 1940. One month later on the 4th June 1940 Sir Winston said, “We shall fight them on the beaches.”
Today, let’s talk about the Blood Countess. Never heard of her? Well, while she was no relation to Count Dracula, her story is equally interesting!
Countess Elizabeth Bathory was actually a real person, as opposed to the fictional character of Count Dracula. Bram Stoker who created Dracula in 1897 is said to have been inspired by Bathory’s real life story.
The Blood Countess acquired her name as she is said to have tortured and killed between 80 to 650 girls. She liked to bathe in the blood of her victims, as she believed the blood of virgin girls would maintain her youthful looks.
Category: History / The Blood Countess / Central Europe
Recently, the biggest ever dinosaur was discovered in Argentina. The fossilised bones of the dinosaur, believed to be the largest creature ever to have walked the earth, were unearthed in Argentina.
Palaeontologists said, estimated on its huge thigh bone, it was 40m (130ft) long and 20m (65ft) tall. Weighing in at 77 tonnes, it was as heavy as 14 African elephants. That makes it seven tonnes heavier than the previous record holder, Argentinosaurus, which itself is bigger than a Tyrannosaurus rex!
Category: History / Dinosaurs / Discovery
Who started World War One? There are many answers to this. Your answer may depend on your nationality!
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie on the 28th June 1914 in Sarajevo is said to have triggered the start of World War One (WWI) or Great War, as it became known.
Category: History / World War One / Causes
Today, let’s talk about the Ukrainian crisis. To briefly recap events: In November 2013, President of Ukraine Victor Yanukovych rejected an EU pending association agreement, choosing instead to pursue a Russian loan bailout and have closer ties with Russia. This led to many protests in Kiev in Independence Square. These protests became known as ‘Euromaidan’ by the young pro-European Union Ukrainians.
Category: Ukraine / History / Eastern Europe
