Quotations on American History

Remember the Maine!

~ Unknown

- 1889, slogan popularized in Hearst and Pulitzer newspapers...

You shall not press down upon the brow of labor this crown of thorns. You shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.

~ William Jennings Bryan

- speech, Democratic National Convention, July 8, 1896

Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard around the world.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

- Hymn Sung at the Completion of the Battle Monument, Concord, July 4, 1837

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.

~ Dwight D. Eisenhower

- presidential farewell speech, Jan. 17, 1961

Read my lips: No new taxes.

~ George W. Bush

- presidential nomination acceptance speech, Aug. 18, 1988

Let us not be deceived - we are today in the midst of a cold war.

~ Bernard Baruch

- speech, Apr 16, 1947

What a glorious morning for America!

~ Samuel Adams

- upon hearing the sound of guns at Lexington, Apr. 19, 1775

Declare the United States the winner and begin de-escalation.

~ George Aiken

- speech to the U.S. Senate, Oct. 19, 1966 [regarding Vietnam War]

Burn my heart at Wounded Knee.

~ Stephen Vincent Benét

- American Names, 1927 - refering to the massacre at Wounded Knee Creek in South Dakota, Dec 29, 1890

Well, I think we ought to let him hang there. Let him twist slowly, slowly in the wind.

~ John Ehrlichman

- speaking to presidential counsel John Dean about F.B.I. head Patrick Gray, Mar 6, 1973