In this annual issue of The Reference Shelf, we look at some of the best, most impactful and most uplifting speeches from 2020–2021. Ranging from politicians to political activists to celebrities, this volume of The Reference Shelf provides a unique record of American culture during the year as seen through the eyes of some of the nation’s most important public figures. With an eye toward encompassing a diversity of perspectives, speeches will help provide a glimpse of American thought and attitudes on the year’s most important stories.

This volume begins with a preface; a brief overview of what 2020 encompassed for many Americans and how many of the included speeches reflect what Americans cared about, ranging from COVID-19 and vaccines, to abortion rights, transgender rights and access to gender-affirming healthcare, and to the impact of social media. Representative American Speeches, 2020-2021 includes speeches that fall into five topics:

1. Commencement Speeches of the Year
2. COVID and the Mask Debate
3. Health and Equity
4. Hurriances, Flooding, and Climate Change
5. September 11th and the Afghanistan Conflict