The Power to Shape the Civilization That We Want
May 24, 2026
8 min
774 of 803
May 24, 2026
The Power to Shape the Civilization That We Want
0:00 / 8:32
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Heather Cox Richardson Episodes Around May 24, 2026
Episode 774 of 803 — walk the feed in the order it was published.
8:32This episodeThe Power to Shape the Civilization That We Want
Summary
<p>May 22, 2026</p><p>In a graduation speech at the University of Michigan in 1964, President Lyndon Johnson laid out his vision for “the Great Society,” It was a forward looking vision of a country that used its post-World War II prosperity to look toward greater things, and to advance civil rights and end poverty, Congress would pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964, and the Food Stamp Act, Democrats were able to pass 84 new laws to put the Great Society into place, Congress took on voting rights, access to education, health insurance, and the rights of consumers, It enacted laws protecting the environment and supporting the arts, In his speech at the University of Michigan, Johnson charged the graduates to lead America toward a new age, reminding them that Americans have the power to shape the civilization that we want.</p><p>Watch today's recording here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/live/g9TUa1Rwd6U?si=T8_KKcHQZElhpnZ-</a></p><p>Get full, free access to Letters from an American here: <a href="https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe" target="_blank">https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe</a></p><p>You can also find me:</p><p>Bluesky: <a href="https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social" target="_blank">https://bsky.app/profile/hcrichardson.bsky.social</a></p><p>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/heathercoxrichardson/?hl=en</a></p><p>Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson/</a></p><p>YouTube: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/@heathercoxrichardson</a></p><p></p><p></p> <br /><br />Get full access to Letters from an American at <a href="https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4">heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/subscribe</a>
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