The longest recorded speech in history was 24 hours and 18 minutes. It was rendered by U.S. Senator Strom Thurmond (D)* in 1957 as a filibuster against the 1957 Civil Rights Act.
The 1957 Civil Rights Act was designed to eliminate discrimination against African-Americans with respect to being able to vote in federal elections and to serve on federal juries. It was supported overwhelmingly by Republicans in the House and Senate but narrowly squeaked by the Democrats--many of whom were consummate racists. However, like many things coming out of Congress, it proved to be more symbolic than substantive.
Lyndon Johnson, the Democratic Senate Majority Leader and a consummate politician, won praise both from civil rights leaders in helping the bill pass and from segregationists for getting it so watered-down that it was largely ineffective. In doing so, he helped prevent the Democratic Party from tearing itself apart.
*Although a Democrat in 1957, Thurmond converted to Republicanism in 1964.
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| STROM THURMOND |
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