SPEECH & DEBATE
THE AMERICAN LEGION
The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization. Focusing on service to veterans, servicemembers and communities, the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million, and local posts sprang up across the country. Today, membership stands at nearly 2 million in more than 13,000 posts worldwide. The posts are organized into 55 departments: one each for the 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines.
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Over the years, the Legion has influenced considerable social change in America, won hundreds of benefits for veterans and produced many important programs for children and youth
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The first National High School Oratorical Contest was held in 1938, with the finals taking place in Norman, Oklahoma. Today, more than 3,400 high-school students from around the country compete annually in the contest, which promotes a greater understanding of the U.S. Constitution. Winners receive thousands of dollars in college scholarships.
Click the logo above to explore the American Legion and the contest.
THE 2024 WINNER
THE RULES
(click to read the official document)
71st National Convention in 1989
Mike Iveson playing the Legionnaire in the LA Production. Photo by Joan Marcus
New Jersey, 1980
Rhode Island, 2024 & 2011
New Hampshire, 1989 & 1991
DEBATE
Outside of the American Legion contests represented in our play, speech and debate is a robust national event at schools across the United States. The National Speech and Debate Association organizes and manages hundreds of high school and middle school competitions each year. Students can speak on a range of topics curated by the NSDA membership.
