Joan Detz Speaker Services

Perhaps one of these details would work in a speech you’re writing this week: 

1854:  In Ripon, Wisconsin, antislavery leaders and members of the crumbling Whig party met to talk about forming a new political party … with the proposed name Republican.  (Only seven years later, the first Republican president, Abraham Lincoln, moved into the White House.)

1905:  The Rotary Club was organized in Chicago. 

1913:  The Income Tax Amendment to the Constitution went into effect.

1919:  The state of Oregon instituted a new  government charge … the first tax on gasoline.

1927:  The Federal Radio Commission was set up (later to become the Federal Communications Commission).

1945:  The famous photograph of the U.S. Marines raising the flag at Iwo Jima was taken. 

1949:  A B-50 airplane (Lucky Lady II) took off from Carswell Air Force Base in Texas.  Four midair refuelings later, it succeeded in flying nonstop around the world.

1954:  The experimental Salk polio vaccine was first administered to children in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

1961:  U.S. automobile manufacturers announced that car seats would become standard on all cars, starting with 1962 models.

1968:  The President’s National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders was established.

1972:  President Richard M. Nixon completed his historic visit to the People’s Republic of China. 

1980:  Israel and Egypt established diplomatic relations. 

Dec 2, 1927, was a big day for the US auto industry.  Henry Ford put his new car on display throughout the country.  What was new?  The Model A came in colors - replacing the Model T, which came only in black. 

It looks like this week will present another high visibility day for US auto makers.  As a speechwriter and speech coach, I’d have many words of professional advice to help the Big 3 prepare for their remarks in DC.

But as a citizen, I’ll offer just two words.  When you plan your trip to ask for money, car pool.

After all:  It’s not what you say … it’s how you say it.