Speeches can, and have changed the world. Think Martin Luther King’s I Have A Dream speech, which still resonates with the world’s inhabitants today, or Winston Churchill’s rallying words delivered to the United Kingdom, calling upon its people to defend their fatherland against Nazi aggression, or even the less well known speeches given by ordinary folks on rather mundane (but nevertheless important) occasions. We have all been impacted, directly or indirectly, by the words spoken from presidential podiums or the frontlines of protest marches.
Today, the world focuses its attention on the art of speechmaking. The World Speech Day is marked annually on March 15 to celebrate the power of speeches to share ideas and highlight the need for more people across the globe to get involved in pushing for positive change in their societies by speaking out.
Here are a few facts about the World Speech Day:
1. The World Speech Day had a precursor in the United States’ National Speech and Debate Education Day, which was set aside by the United States Senate to promote the equality of opinions through speeches and presentations.
2. The first World Speech Day took place in 2016, with about 200 cities in 30 countries participating.
3. This year, Nigeria is joining the global celebration for the first time. World Speech Day 2017 will be celebrated in over 50 countries, with the theme “Thoughts for A Better World”.
4. Globally, events will be held in schools, universities, community halls, embassies, cafes, etc.
5. In Nigeria, the day will be marked with events held in more than ten locations across the country, including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, and Gusau.
Click here to find out more about World Speech Day 2017.
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