In this annual issue of The Reference Shelf, we look at some of the best, most impactful and most uplifting speeches from 2021–2022. 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 2022 encompassed for many Americans and how many of the included speeches reflect what Americans cared about, ranging from healthcare and domestic politics, to foreign relations, abortion rights, and COVID-19. Representative American Speeches, 2021-2022 includes speeches that fall into seven topics:

1. Domestic Elections and Politics
2. Investigations
3. Domestic Issues: Economy, Education, Healthcare, Gun Safety
4. The Dobbs Decision
5. The War in Ukraine
6. Climate Change
7. Commencement, Keynotes, and Graduation Speeches