This week we ask how to give a historic speech. Now that might seem a huge question to ask and it's not something that many of us consider. Perhaps we might ponder how to give an epic speech, a fantastic speech, an invigorating speech or a memorable speech. But a historic speech? We asked the question when we saw the current Prime Minister refer to his visit to China as a historic visit. Indeed. Historic in the same way that the President Nixon visit to China was historic?
How You Can Give a Historic Speech
So we naturally assumed that in this historic visit there would probably be a historic speech somewhere in Beijing. Perhaps an after-dinner speech, but nonetheless a historic speech.
Others have picked upon the historic claim about this particular visit. It is after all only eight years since the last British Prime Minister visited Beijing and it's only ten years since the China Premier Xi Jinping visited Britain. But nonetheless Downing Street insists that everything nowadays is historic.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hails "historic" China visit, calls for more engagement pic.twitter.com/ihmPLkjGpM
— CGTN (@CGTNOfficial) January 30, 2026
What's Needed for a Historic Speech?
But what do you need to do to give a historic speech? Well when we think about a historic speech we probably recall speeches delivered by Martin Luther King, John F. Kennedy or perhaps Ronald Reagan or further back in time the likes of Winston Churchill or even Abraham Lincoln.
Again, there are very many elements to a historic speech. But most importantly it is probably something of the moment. It's a moment in time. It's a moment in history. A speech that relates to a particular event that's anchored in time.
For example Martin Luther King and the civil rights rally in front of the Lincoln Memorial in 1963. Or John F. Kennedy inaugural speech in 1961 or Winston Churchill and the battle of Britain in 1940. These are speeches of a certain era. Can the same be said of a particular historic trip to China by Keir Starmer?
No, I don't think so.
However, the techniques behind a historic speech and your own fantastic conference speech are the same. The setting and the place will, of course be different, but you aim for the fundamentals.
Tips To Give Your Own Historic (Epic, Fantastic or Brilliant) Speech
Set out to give a brilliant or epic speech and you will do exactly the same as any public speaker who's associated with a historic speech. It's a fact. Yes, it's true that you might not be on the battlefield of Gettysburg delivering your speech to the sales team…but the construction and delivery can certainly match.
- 1Timing and events. Your epic speech might be at the end of the year or the beginning of the new sales year. A New Year leadership speech, perhaps? For an organisation these timed events are important.
- 2Location. It's no surprise that many speeches are named after the place in which they are delivered. That might not work at the Manchester conference centre. It's a lovely venue, but unlikely to mark a historic speech. But it could certainly prove right for your next brilliant speech.
- 3Structure. Most historic speeches have a simple structure. And that's a lesson for all of us. So, keep things simple and well-structured.
- 4Length. Brevity is best.
- 5Delivery, tone and tempo are typically characteristic of historic speeches. And you should aim to apply that example to your next superb speech.
When you need to discover more public speaking tips and techniques, you will find plenty of tips for speakers on this site. And when you need to hone your own individual skills that little bit further, then you are very welcome to enroll on an online public speaking course.
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