八年級英語演講稿範文三分鐘（精選16篇）

八年級英語演講稿範文三分鐘 篇1

the blue sky and white clouds of heart， hope that the pigeons free-chen ao?

teachers and parents， we hope that the healthy growth.

flowers of the day we walked into the university campus happy， happy singing in the school safety;

flowers of the day we travel on university campuses in the ocean of knowledge， teachers and weaving together a dream;

we are ready to bloom date of the note feelings used to write a happy and harmonious campus movement.

harmony is china's traditional culture representative to the notion that there are things in the best condition， but also all the common characteristics of the good things. to achieve harmony， is pursued through the ages the human ideals and aspirations of the good. and mobilizing all positive factors for building a harmonious and civilized campus environment will be an eternal theme.

the building of a harmonious campus need to establish harmonious relations between teachers and students. teachers， etc. mission also doubts that a teacher has given us inspiration and cultural knowledge， so that we know that there is ignorance， from childishness to maturity. the teacher gave us the knowledge of the rain， we need to accept the heart and soul and treasure to pay the teachers， respect for teachers and labor. teachers and students of mutual respect and love， so as to create a harmonious atmosphere for learning.

the building of a harmonious campus to be set up to establish a harmonious relationship between the students. concerned about the difficulty of helping students to help them feel warm and harmonious campus. to maintain a good attitude， treat people with tolerance and with a sincere heart in good faith to change another's heart. between the students get along well， so as to create harmonious relations.

the building of a harmonious campus needs to be set up to establish a good style of study， a good school. we have to promote a vigorous style of team， a down-to-earth spirit of learning， study style will point to the goal of ideals of unity， self-improvement and become useful. a unity ahead of the class and style of hard-working hard to promote the personal style of study in a good environment to grow up. good school， such as life-giving spring breeze， quietly attracting students from each of the forward courageously， in order to ideals and hard work. positive school spirit， so as to create a harmonious atmosphere for education.

the building of a harmonious campus need to establish credibility and civilized style. mutual trust between the students， frank， tell the truth， do practical things. when the examination resolutely put an end to fraud， with honesty and strength to his teacher and gave a satisfactory answer. rigorous style， civilization， so as to build harmonious campus culture.

八年級英語演講稿範文三分鐘 篇2

I have a dream Every one has his own dream.When I was a little kid ,my dream was even to have a candy shop of my own .But now ,when I am 16 years old ,standing here ,my dreams have already changed a lot.

I have got quite different experience from other girls.While they were playing toys at home,while they were dreaming to be the princesses in the story .I was running in the hard rain,jumping in the heavy snow,pitching in the strong wind.Nothing could stop me ,because of a wonderful call from my heart -- to be an athlete.Yeah ,of course ,I'm an athlete,I'm so proud of that all the time .

When I was 10 years old ,I became a shot-put athlete.The training was really hard ,I couldn't bear the heavy shot in my hands .But I always believe that "god only help those who help themselves".During those hard days,I find I was growing more quickly than others of the same age.To be an athlete is my most correct choice.But,I quit my team after entering high school because of a silly excuse.I really didn't want to stop my sports career anyway.

Today I say to you my friends that even though I must face the difficulties of yesterday ,today and tomorrow .I still have a dream .It is a dream deeply rooted in my soul.

I have a dream that one day ,I can run,jump and pitch just like I used to be.

I have a dream that one day , I can go back to my dream sports and join the national team.

I have a dream that one day ,I can stand on the highest place at the olympic games.With all the cameras pointing at me.I will tell everyone that I'm so proud to be a Chinese athlete!

This is my hope .This is the faith that I continue my steps with!!!

With this faith ,I will live though the strong wind and heavy rain ,never give up !

So let victory ring from my heart,from all of you.When we allow victory to ring .I must be the one!

In my imagination,I'm a bird ,a magical bird.I carry my dreams all with me by my big wings. I fly though the mountains ,though the forests ,over the sea,to the sun ,the warmest place in the aerospace!

Every night ,I have a dream ,I see a girl ---smiling!

八年級英語演講稿範文三分鐘 篇3

Class 7. WFLS. Am I too late to say it’s just like a dream come true?

Quite frankly, military training is tiring. I’ve been told a million times about how exhausted I would be as soon as I finished this grueling training, and I don’t have any objection about that. However, now, I’ve got an Yes and No! I mean, physically,Yes, I have sun-tanned skin right now and for the first time I loathe being under the sun. Not to mention my sore legs and back. But this is just the heads of the coin. Tails, which means mentally, No! My inability to find proper words to express my feelings seems more and more overwhelming. Incredible? Unbelievable? Marvellous? Extremely impeccable maybe? These words are pale in comparison to the big picture of my future life. It’s like unwittingly, you fall in love with a new group of people, you feel for everything, you fall for everything.

I don’t know if I am being sensitive here. I remember us sprint out the door to assemble because we are running late. I remember us complaining about the miserable food when it’s time for lunch. I remember us sitting weirdly comfortable in a cool dark place when other classes were sweating. I remember us sharing jaw-dropping details about our lives and feel connected to others. I remember all those moments of rapture and ecstasy, all those senses of déjà vu, all those smiles of genuine happiness.

It’s like suddenly, I am no longer a prosaic girl living a plain life. It’s been a long time since the last time I didn’t regard myself as a catastrophe. As a lonely highway.The strong hope for the future made me the girl on fire. As I spoke with some friends of my pastimes and passions, words of such silky texture poured out from my soul with unparalleled candor and cadence. The voice that issued from my lips was at once richer, deeper, stronger than I had ever produced. It was as though an inner self, a core essence, had broken free and taken control. I broke out of my niche!

Anyway, I shouldn’t be too excited because it’s just five days. Even though I have already found some friends with extraordinarily similar interests as I do. Even though this is breaking news for me because I enjoyed be in this together finally. Even though the words of encouragements faded, I still recall them from time to time to taste it all over again. I swear I’m not severed from reality. Momentarily, it’s just impossible to describe all the details that happened during 5 days. I just need to speak all these things about how delighted I am to be in this class and try to be in tranquility…

I am a relatively total stranger to my new school. But it’s such a sensory bombardment for me even to think about it. I wanna be a part of something I don’t know. A fledging dragonfly is ready. I believe that the monarch will be crowned. May the best man win! You are gonna hear Class 7 ROAR!

Ps. I’d better start packing…

八年級英語演講稿範文三分鐘 篇4

Winter is cold. Let’s play the snowball and make snowman.

The snowman is big . I like to play snowball. I am on the snow. The snow iscold. I have a scarf and coat.

So I am not cold. I like the Christmas. Because I can see santa clus inChristmas .

Christmas tree is beautiful. The presents are on the Christmas tree.

I like winter. Do you like winter?

八年級英語演講稿範文三分鐘 篇5

Students, guests , teachers and Honorable Judges

Good morning !

my great pleasure to share my dream with you today. my dream is to become a teacher....

As the whole world has its boundaries, limits and freedom coexist in our life. I don’t expect complete freedom, which is impossible. I simply have a dream that supports my life.

I dream that one day, I could escape from the deep sea of thick schoolbooks and lead my own life. With my favorite fictions, I lie freely on the green grass, smelling the spring, listening to the wind singing, breathing the fresh and cool air and dissolve my soul in nature at last. Simple and short enjoyment can bring me great satisfaction.

I dream that one day the adults could throw their prejudice of comic and cartoon away. They could keep a lovely heart that can share sorrow and happiness with us while watching cartoon or doing personal things. That’s the real communication of heart to heart.

I have the belief that my dreams should come true. I am looking forward to some day coming when I am like a proud eagle, which flies to the blue and vast sky.

八年級英語演講稿範文三分鐘 篇6

Good afternoon, dear teachers and friends!

I' m happy to make a speech here. Thank you for your coming. Now, the topicfor my speech today is “Western Festivals.” I would like to talk aboutChristmas.

Christmas is originally a Christian festival, as you can see from theformation of this word, “Christ-mas.” The first part of the word refers to JesusChrist, and the second part “mas” comes from the word “mass,” referring to amain religious ceremony in some Christian churches. At first, it was celebratedfor the birth of Jesus Christ. Nowadays, although some churches still observethis festival for its religious reason, for most people, including Chinesepeople, Christmas has already become a day of secular celebrations, when peopleexchange greetings and gifts. However, it is still a biggest festival in theWest. It is as important to the Westerners as the Spring Festival is to theChinese people.

Christmas day is on the 25th of December, and Christmas Eve is of coursethe evening of the previous day, the 24th December.

Christmas holiday usually lasts for two weeks, during which most schoolshave a Christmas break. Many families put the Christmas tree in their house, andhang many decorations on the tree. Under the tree, they usually place manyChristmas presents. Giving out presents and receiving presents are what kidslike best about this festival.

On Christmas Eve, kids would put stockings at the end of their bed, wishingthe Santa Claus would come and give them presents.

As to the tradition of giving and receiving presents in Christmas, I thinkit has something to do with the nativity story. In the nativity story, on thebirthday of baby Jesus, there was a bright star shining in the East. There werethree kings in the East who saw the star, and they followed the star all the wayto Bethlehem where the star stopped. They came to a manger where baby Jesus waslying. They worshiped the little baby and gave him presents. I think this is abeautiful story. It shows a spirit of sharing and love.

I like Christmas for the presents kids will receive and for its lovelystory.

Thank you very much!

八年級英語演講稿範文三分鐘 篇7

ladies and gentlemen, good morning! i’m very glad to stand here and give you a short speech.

man’s life is a process of growing up, actually i’m standing here is a growth. if a person’s life must constituted by various choices, then i grow up along with these choices. once i hope i can study in a college in future, however that’s passed, as you know i come here, now i wonder what the future holds for me.

when i come to this school, i told to myself: this my near future, all starts here. following i will learn to become a man, a integrated man, who has a fine body, can take on important task, has independent thought, an open mind, intensive thought, has the ability to judge right and wrong, has a perfect job.

once my teacher said :” you are not sewing, you are stylist; never forget which you should lay out to people is your thought, not craft.” i will put my personality with my interest and ability into my study, during these process i will combine learning with doing. if i can achieve this “future”, i think that i really grow up. and i deeply believe kindred, good-fellowship and love will perfection and happy in the future.

how to say future? maybe it’s a nice wish. lets make up our minds, stick to it and surely well enjoy our life.

中文大意:

女士們，先生們，上午好。我很高興在這裡為大家作一個簡短的講話。

人的一生是一個成長的過程，事實上，我現在站在這裡也是一次成長。如果一個人的一生必須面臨不同的選擇，那麼我就是伴隨著這些選擇成長起來的。曾經我盼望將來能上大學，然而那已經過去了，現在我在這兒，只想知道我的未來會是什麼樣的。

當我來到這所學校，我告訴我自己：我不久的將來都從這裡開始。接著我要學習如何做人，如何做一個正直的人，並且擁有一個健康的體魄，能承擔重要的任務，能獨立思考，思想開放，心思縝密，有判斷是非的能力，有一份不錯的工作。

我的老師曾經告訴我說：“你不是在修補而是在創造;永遠不要忘記你向人們所展示的是你的思想，而不是你的手藝。”我會將我的性格，興趣愛好和能力一起融入到學習中去。在這過程中，我邊學習邊實踐。如果我能實現這個“未來”，我就認為我真的成長了。並且我深信我的親人，好朋友以及愛會使我的未來更完美，更幸福。

如何來解釋未來呢? 也許那只是一個美好的願望。讓我們下定決心，堅持到底，那我們的人生一定能過得很精彩。

八年級英語演講稿範文三分鐘 篇8

INTRODUCTION

1. Tomorrow，we celebrate our 38th year of independence. 62 years is a short history for any country. But we have come a long way. 62 years ago，we were a poor country trying to create as many jobs as we could to feed our people. There was no Changi Airport，no multinational corporations or financial centre，no defence capability of our own. Only 60% of our people were literate. Only 11% of our students progressed beyond secondary school. Few people thought we could succeed，or even survive. But we overcame the odds. By working hard，finding our own solutions and tying our futures together as a people，we transformed Singapore into what it is today.

2. We now face renewed challenges as a nation. Terrorism is a real and continuing threat. Our economy has also been hit by the global economic slowdown，and more recently by SARS. Even after our economy recovers，we will face formidable competitors，especially in China and India.

3. We can overcome these challenges. We have faced up to many challenges before，especially when independence was first thrust upon us. We are in a stronger position today than in 1965. We have a skilled population，a world-class infrastructure，and the confidence of international investors. Most importantly，we are a united people，determined to meet challenges together.

THE FOUNDATION OF SUCCESS：ONE UNITED PEOPLE

4. A strong nation is not just made up of individuals，however talented. It rests on our collective efforts as one people.

5. Our experience with SARS is a good example of how we can overcome great challenges if we work together. All Singaporeans played a part in fighting SARS - the doctors and nurses in our hospitals，defence engineers working on the thermal scanners，the cleaning staff in our buildings and food centres，and everyone of you in our schools.

6. Our schools can take pride in how we stood up to the challenge of SARS. It has been a massive task to monitor the well being of more than half a million pupils and give their parents confidence in the safety of our schools. Our principals，teachers and other school staff rose to the challenge，calmly and meticulously. As pupils，you played your part well，by taking your temperature daily and exercising responsibility to prevent the spread of the disease. Even our Primary 1 and 2 pupils learnt how to take their own temperatures with the guidance of their teachers. The fact that a very large majority of parents sent their children back to schools as soon as we reopened them was a major vote of confidence，especially in our teachers.

八年級英語演講稿範文三分鐘 篇9

atever we have undergone in our life, we shouldn't complain about it. Wemay get a lot or lose so much in our life journey, but keeping a positiveattitude should always be together with us. Nothing can defeat us if we areconfident and diligent. Just as saying goes, God is equal to everyone. As hecloses the door, he will also open a window for us.

八年級英語演講稿範文三分鐘 篇10

I am a business person,today i invent a very special invention,i think itis such a exciting invention ,maybe it can cheer you up,now,let me tell youabout all part of it . This is a fly blanket,when you spend time alone and wantto enjoy yourself,you can take it to the sky,in the sky ,you will see so manyclouds,their shapes are like people,animals,and so on,you can hang out betweenthem.However,if you are so happy and have free time,you can take it to othercountries,it can produce a lot of foods,then you can eat them and admire thebeauty of nature. In the evening,it can take you for a walk ,you can sit thereenjoy these stars and moon,when you miss a person,it can take you to meet him orher,after that,when you fall asleep,the fly blanket will be a comfortablebed,you can make a good dream. Last one,it also a best one ability,you can havea journey to space.If you have problems breathing,it could provide you withairs,in the difficult situation,it protect you.So you can visit many places,andhave a good time. When you hear the invention,do you think it great?i believeyou will also make one,it's not only interesting,but also useful,keepdoing,don't give up.

八年級英語演講稿範文三分鐘 篇11

Everybody will meet all kinds of difficulties during their lives, of course, they are willing to accept success, but the fact is that no one can win all the time, they will meet failure now and then. Fail is an unpleasant thing to face, people treat fail a bad thing. While for me, I think we can learn from failure and be a better man.

每個人都會在他們的一生中遇到各種各樣的困難，當然，人們喜歡接受成功，但是實際上，他們會時而不時地失敗。失敗是一件不愉快的事情，人們把失敗當成一件壞事。然而對於我來說，我覺得我們可以從失敗中學到東西，成為一個更好的人。

Everyone is afraid of facing failure, because failure brings them the sense of frustration. When facing failure, people choose to avoiding talking about it, they feel that they will be looked down upon by others. Indeed, no one likes to failure anything, they want to be successful all the time.

每個人都害怕面對失敗，因為失敗會給人帶來挫敗感。當面對困難時，人們選擇避免談論它，覺得會被別人看低。確實，沒有人會喜歡做事情失敗，他們想要一直成功。

If people change their idea about failure, they can see the positive side. There is an old saying that failure is the mother of success, which means that people will learn from failure and make preparation for the success. So failure is not that hard to face, if people take right attitude towards it, they will gain success soon.

如果人們改變他們對失敗的看法，他們可以看到積極的方面。有一句老話，失敗乃成功之母，這意味著人們可以從失敗中學習，為成功做準備。所以，失敗並不是那麼難以面對，如果人們正確對待成功，他們會很快成功。

In a word, failure is not a bad something, it can bring success, only if people treat it right.

總的來說，失敗不是一件壞事，它可以帶來成功，只要人們正確對待。

八年級英語演講稿範文三分鐘 篇12

Good afternoon ladies and Gentlemen,

I believe that humanism is about kindness and caring for people in need.

I believe the role of humanism in today’s technological world is to guide technological development to respond to human need in a benevolent way.

In 20xx I was in Yushu during that terrible earthquake. I experienced the full horror of buildings falling and people being trapped. I witnessed the quick response from modern technology when people inside yushu called people outside for help with their mobile phones. Very soon the whole world was responding whole heartedly. After only 5 hours, there was another sound- this time it was helicopters bringing doctors, medical supplies, and the facilities to evacuate the wounded to hospital.

Recent advances in earthquake detection and rescue technology have been developed in response to the need to save lives quickly.

Consider advances in green food technology, guided by the need for clean natural food and to protect the environment;

Advances in water conservation and purification, guided by the need for clean drinking water and for crops and livestock;

advances in delivering education to everyone, especially the use of video and the internet for distance learning;

advances in medicine, especially affordable medicine for AIDS sufferers in Africa;

and advances in building technology guided by the need to keep people safe and warm.

All these are the result of responding to human needs with kindness and caring and guiding technology for the benefit of mankind.

When I think about the world of advanced technology today, I think of my home, the remote and harsh environment of the Tibetan Plateau, and farmers living in tents with solar energy that they use to power their lights, TV, computers and to improve their lifestyle. I think of farmers talking on their mobile phones, discussing the weather patterns, the cost of food, community news and events. They even talk about Steve Jobs. The train to Lhasa, itself a wonderful engineering feat, brings modern medicine and education to these remote areas. The communities are now interlinked and connected, one of the most basic human needs.

Human beings have a need to be connected, to be safe to be cared for in times of trouble and hardship.

The development of technology must be guided by these needs. If this is not so, then the development of technology is in the hands of mean and, greedy people. The focus of technological development would be wars and weapons, fraud the misuse of information, and the exploitation of people, such as cheap labor.

It can only be humanism which provides the guidance we all need for a better world.

And it is you, who have the responsibility to use the technology wisely, to spread the kindness and caring.

八年級英語演講稿範文三分鐘 篇13

dear all,

more than 100 years ago, our neighbor japan, through the meiji restoration of road leading onto the bourgeois, than the overall national strength of china. thus, once the chinese subsidiary are resource-poor small countries begin coveted chinese jiangshan magnificent vast territory and abundant resources, they again and again by force of aggression against china, while our once great country of at this time can only be allowed to bully, because of their weak we simply can not carry out a powerful enemy resistance.

fortunately, justice will eventually defeat evil. from 1937 to 1945, the chinese people with a full eight years to give the military aggression of japanese militarism hard to combat, frenzied japanese militarism in solidarity the people and the chinese all over the world anti-fascist front of the people of the country has to the tail and bowed her head. therefore, we can say that anti-fascist war, win the entire chinese nation are a major event in the history, it is the chinese people settle down, proud of the start, but also the chinese nation "sick man of east asia" signs, re-stand the nation in the world forest beginning.

unfortunately, such a promising start did not go smoothly. civil war, the cultural revolution, after the war the whole world especially in asia, much of the country's economic take-off our first opportunity missed, china's development has experienced frustrations. although our lives today and has international status and sixty years ago is quite different, but we are not on the true meaning of the "big country", our comprehensive national strength with japan still has a big gap between. it is for this reason, japan has always been an arrogant attitude towards china, at the sixtieth anniversary of the victory of the anti-fascist war today, their governments at a correct view of history on the problem is still ambiguous attitude, prime minister junichiro koizumi's repeated visits to yasukuni shrine, members of parliament openly deny the class-a war criminals crimes. comrades, fellow students, please close your eyes, you heard right, in the war for the country sacrificed their lives for the soul of the soldiers shouted at, in the war of 35000000冤死at the soul of the people crying ... ...

say there is a famous saying goes: to forgive, but not to forget. on the one hand, in the country, national and even personal relations, grievances things everywhere, such as the heart of no forgiveness, no redress for their grievances will be translated into phase reported. on the other hand, the historical facts and should not forget the lessons of history. history will not be easy to repeat, the new framework of international relations, hysterical militarism no longer the market. but at the same time we must recognize that the war more than 60 years ago not far away from us, was the reason why japan and france blatant and wanton aggression against china, because chinese are totally weak poor, economically backward, and today, cause of war and disaster cultural genes, there are still benefits-driven, people need to remain vigilant.

at present, the third technological revolution in full swing, leap in the development of the world economy, increasingly close contact with the world the chinese are facing the best opportunity for economic development, history tells us that peace and stability in order for us to seize opportunities zhongxing of the chinese nation. on the occasion of the sixtieth anniversary of the victory of war of resistance against japan, i think of you teachers, colleagues and students, said: war and revenge will not win our respect, unremitting, and this is our victory to celebrate, hold a memorial ceremony for martyrs, and bearing in mind the history of the best way!

thank you!

八年級英語演講稿範文三分鐘 篇14

Some people say that reading is not good. Reading is a kind of burden,reading is locked in a tight without ventilation cages, reading as if to acceptthe devil training, you were dead, reading is very painful, it is the people onthe lethal poison. This is just the illiterate, but I think the benefits ofreading. I think the book is the ladder of human progress, is the human silentteacher, books are our friends, the book is nutrition of pills, books are foodfor the soul, the book let us into a heaven, there is a heaven. Reading is akind of beautiful enjoyment. Reading, let you like into the wonderland, let yourlife more colorful childhood reading, cultivate your sentiments, relievefatigue, you forget your trouble, reading is colorful sauces. Rather than callme elapsed time in playing, call me to book the ocean.

When I don't understand, I saw a book like hell, but as time goes by, Igrow up, I know what is the real enjoyment, I learned to enjoy the pleasure ofreading.

Read volumes, such as writing. Reading can not only enjoy pleasure, butthere is a lot of help to you. Books to read, write up the article, also is likeflowing, speaks also of being, is not very good?

Reading let me add a lot of fun, I also learned to enjoy the pleasure ofreading. Golden house in my childhood, there are always two words "reading".First learn to read, only know how to enjoy the pleasure of reading. Onlyreading, your life to be meaningful, and your life will blossom out the light,you also don't waste this life!

有人說，讀書沒有什麼好處。讀書是一種負擔，讀書時猶如把自己關在一個密不通風的籠子裡，讀書彷彿在接受魔鬼訓練一般，使你生不如死，讀書是多麼痛苦，它是致人於死命的毒藥。這只是那些文盲的看法，我卻覺得讀書的好處多多。我認為書是人類進步的階梯，書是人類無聲的老師，書是我們的知心好友，書是營養的藥丸，書是精神食糧，書讓我們走進了一個極樂世界，那裡簡直是天堂。讀書是一種美的享受。讀書，讓你像走進了仙境一樣，讀書讓你的童年生活更加富有色彩，讀書陶冶了你的情操，減輕了你的疲勞，忘掉了你的煩惱，讀書是五彩的調味料。與其叫我在玩中消耗時間，不如叫我到書的海洋中遨遊。

在我不懂事之時，我見書如見鬼，可隨著時間的流逝，我長大了，我知道什麼是真正的享受，我學會了享受讀書的樂趣。

讀書破萬卷，下筆如有神。讀書不僅可以享受樂趣，而且對你有很大的幫助。書讀多了，寫起文章來，也會如行雲流水一般，說起話來也文彬彬的，不是很好嗎?

讀書讓我增添了許多樂趣，我也學會了享受讀書的樂趣。在我童年的金色屋中，永遠都存在著兩個字“讀書”。只有先學會讀書，才懂得享受讀書的樂趣。只有讀書，你的生活才有意義，你的人生才會綻放出光芒，你也才不會虛度此生!

八年級英語演講稿範文三分鐘 篇15

The world we lived in decided that we have to learn to help each other and get help from others.We as human beings have interacted each other no matter in which stage of history.And,also,we have to learn how to express our gratitude to our loved ones who have been caring us all the way.

I want to thank my parents,who made me who I am,who shored my entire life up,who loved me with their life,who sacrificed for me through thick and thin.From the very beginning of my life to now,from the very simple words to the fundamental truth about life,they are forging their love for me.

I want to thank my classmates,who are always friendly to me,who take me for their own brother,who share their delight with me and stay with me to brave the trouble that I shoule have done myself,who will always be honest with me.

I want to thank my teachers,who reclaim me from the wrong way that led to inevitable failure,who treat me with care and respect,who give me the most extraordinary love that more than I can imagine,who define what it means to sacrifice.The sacrifices that without hezitation of repaying.

I want to thank all the wonderful people,who are loving and being loved.

八年級英語演講稿範文三分鐘 篇16

five score years ago, a great american, in whose symbolic shadow we stand signed the emancipation proclamation. this momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. it came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of captivity.

but one hundred years later, we must face the tragic fact that the negro is still not free. one hundred years later, the life of the negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. one hundred years later, the negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. one hundred years later, the negro is still languishing in the corners of american society and finds himself an exile in his own land. so we have come here today to dramatize an appalling condition.

in a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. when the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the constitution and the declaration of independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every american was to fall heir. this note was a promise that all men would be guaranteed the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

it is obvious today that america has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. instead of honoring this sacred obligation, america has given the negro people a bad check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." but we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. we refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation.

so we have come to cash this check -- a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice.

we have also come to this hallowed spot to remind america of the fierce urgency of now. this is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. now is the time to open the doors of opportunity to all of god's children. now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood.