Today is the birth date of Al Smith, governor of New York (born December 30, 1873).
It was Al Smith who coined this phrase in 1936, reflecting his opposition to the New Deal: “Nobody shoots at Santa Claus.”
In recent weeks, I’ve heard this phrase used in speeches, Q&A sessions, and media interviews … still a part of our national vocabulary after more than seven decades.
Each year, instead of sending formal holiday gifts, I contribute to a variety of worthwhile organizations in honor of my clients. This year, I focused my “alternative giving” program on relief efforts for our country’s natural disasters: in particular, the floods that devastated so much of the Midwest, and the hurricane that brought destruction to the
I began my “alternative giving” initiative more than a decade ago, and it’s been enormously satisfying. It’s a pleasure to pick out worthwhile causes: libraries … Habitat for Humanity … the Salvation Army … Heifer Project International … tree planting efforts … museums … food banks.
Perhaps the most satisfying gift I ever gave? Buying DVDs to entertain the troops recovering at Walter Reed Medical Center. (A friend who worked at the Pentagon helped me with the logistics of delivering the DVDs to the patients.)
I’m already thinking ahead to the contributions I’ll make in 2009. And, may I make a suggestion? When the time rolls around for you to send holiday cards and gifts to your own clients, consider an “alternative giving” program. It’s a great way to honor your clients … and you’ll feel terrific about it, too.
On December 23 …
1690: The Massachusetts Bay Colony issued a series of tax anticipation certificates - the first loan ever floated by an American government.
1788: Maryland gave 10 square miles of its territory to the United States. This land was for the establishment of a Federal city … to be the capital of the new nation.
1913: The Federal Reserve Act was approved
December 23 officially stands as “Economists’ Day.” This year, economists certainly have plenty of material to keep themselves busy.
On this date in 1944, in Belgium, the Battle of the Bulge had reached a major crisis. The US 101st Airborne Division was surrounded, and the Germans called upon its acting Commander, Major General Anthony McAuliffe, to surrender. McAuliffe’s brief answer became a US rallying cry for the rest of World War II: “Nuts.”
On a personal note: I grew up hearing these wartime stories. My father, Vernon Gerald Detz, was one of seven brothers - all of whom served in the military during WWII. It’s hard to imagine what it was like for any mother to see all seven of her sons go off to a wartime military, but “the Detz boys” (from the little town of Marietta, PA) were enormously proud to serve … and did so with distinction. As a child, I heard their stories of battles, and the phrase “Nuts” came to occupy a place of honor in our family.
Writing about energy? This week in history marks a couple of notable events:
In 1879, in Menlo Park, New Jersey, Thomas Edison gave the first demonstration of his electric light … a private demonstration, for just a few select people.
Then, in 1880, electric lights lit up the theater area of New York City. Shortly after this very public introduction of bright lights, the following expression became part of our national lexicon: “There’s a broken heart for every light on Broadway.”
Today is the birthday of English actor Sir Ralph Richardson (born in 1902). We’ll make his line the Quote of the Day:
“The most precious things in speech are the pauses.”
As a speechwriter, make sure you’re building those pauses into your manuscripts.
On this date in 1957, the first commercial nuclear power plant in the US went into operation … supplying electricity in Shippingport, PA.
Quote of the day … from William Safire (columnist and writer), who was born on this date in 1929:
“Is sloppiness in speech caused by ignorance or apathy? I don’t know and I don’t care.”
Here’s a quick way to improve your speechwriting portfolio: Come up with a great title for each speech.
Whether you’re looking for a staff PR position or a freelance speechwriting assignment, prospective employers will be impressed if your presentation samples have interesting titles.
Let me emphasize: Something like “Remarks on Energy” does not qualify as a great title for a speech. And it won’t qualify you as a candidate for a great speechwriting job, either.
Need help coming up with good titles? You’ll find practical suggestions in HOW TO WRITE & GIVE A SPEECH (St. Martin’s Press, 3rd edition, 2002).
If you’re applying for a speechwriting job in a tough economy, you need a top-notch portfolio. Titles can help you distinguish yourself.
On this date in 1958, Nikita Khrushchev (Premier of the Soviet Union) gave a speech that lasted six hours.
I’m curious: What’s the longest speech you’ve ever written?
And, here’s a follow-up question: Was that speech worth every single minute of the audience’s time? Or, in retrospect, do you think it could (read: should) have been shorter?