President Lyndon B. Johnson Commencement Speech 1964

Also known as “The Great Society”, the 1964 University of Michigan commencement speech given by President Lyndon B. Johnson addressed the current issues of poverty and racial injustice. Not only was this speech a direct reflection of LBJ’s goals as president to improve the lives of all American people by expanding access to education, improving cities, and preserving nature, he challenged the audience to join him in his efforts. The preservation of this speech is a reminder of a critical time in the Civil Rights Movement and how every community, even at the University of Michigan, played a role in it.

Contributor: Kelsy Murphy Audio & Image Source: The American Presidency Project