WORDS are powerful tools that help make history. When spoken and deftly used by men of courage and conviction, men with nobility of purpose and rectitude of conscience, words can inspire and unite people, and shape destinies of nations.

Let us recall famous words that reverberated around the world, and immortalized those who uttered them.

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* I shall return.

The only name that is associated with these words is Gen. Douglas MacArthur, American military genius and called "Liberator of the Philippines." MacArthur was overall commander of the Allied Forces in the Pacific and military adviser to President Quezon during World War II. In 1942, he secretly left the Philippines via submarine for Australia where his command mapped out the final grand assault against the Japanese forces and the liberation of the Philippines.

More than a promise, those were the words of hope for millions of Filipinos who believed in America's might and power. When MacArthur landed in Leyte in 1944, the first words he uttered were: "People of the Philippines, by the grace of Almighty God, I have returned!"

* Give me liberty, or give me death!

This is the last dramatic sentence in the speech of American patriot Patrick Henry delivered during the second revolutionary convention of the state of Virginia in 1775 in support of his own resolution calling for the organization of a local militia to fight against British colonial rule. Here's the full emotionally charged speech:

"It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry peace, but there is no peace. The war is actually begun. The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding drums. Our brothers are already in the field. Why stand we here idle?... Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, God Almighty! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!"

* I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.

These words were spoken by Sir Winston Churchill in his inaugural speech as Prime Minister of England in 1940. World War II in Europe was on, and Great Britain was under threat of an invasion by Germany.

Churchill rallied his people with these words: "You ask, what is our policy? I will say: It is to wage war by sea, by land and air with all our might. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: Victory!"

* Ask not what your country can do for you, rather, ask what you can do for your country.

Those words were the most remembered part of John F. Kennedy's inaugural address delivered on Jan. 20, 1960 after taking his oath as America's first Catholic president and the youngest ever at age 46. Decades later, politicians often quote this classic Kennedy rhetoric.

* My loyalty to my party ends, where my loyalty to my country begins.

The politician who said those words was Manuel L. Quezon, the most dynamic Filipino leader and the most astute politician ever. Quezon switched political parties and justified his decision with those immortal words, which many politicians today parody when they jump to another party, usually for personal reasons.

* * * * *

President Fidel V. Ramos wanted to immortalize his tenure with the catch phrase "Kaya Natin Ito", which when loosely translated would sound very much like "Yes We Can", the political battlecry of Barak Obama that catapulted him to the White House as the first American Black President in over 200 years.

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(November 24, 2008 issue)
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