King George VI & Lou Gehrig: Full Studies

Two complete 1939 speech studies for grades 9–12. Explore King George VI and Lou Gehrig through historical research, empathy, speech analysis and writing.
Walk in Their Skin — Two Men. Two Speeches. One Extraordinary Year.
History provides the evidence. Empathy guides the questions.
Two men. Two speeches. Sixty-one days apart.
On July 4, 1939, Lou Gehrig stood before thousands of baseball fans at Yankee Stadium, saying farewell to the game he loved.
On September 3, 1939, King George VI addressed Britain by radio as the nation entered World War II.
Gehrig was facing a progressive illness that ended his baseball career. George VI had lived with a stammer since childhood and had unexpectedly inherited the throne.
Their circumstances were different, but both faced difficult responsibilities while speaking to people who looked to them for something beyond themselves.
The Quiet Professionals
Gehrig expressed gratitude toward his family, teammates and fans. George VI offered words of resolve to a nation facing war.
Neither man’s difficulties simply disappeared. Their speeches are remembered for their restraint, humility and consideration for others.
This bundle invites students to examine the human beings behind these historical moments.
What’s Included
King George VI — A Time of Trial

• Historical background on Prince Albert and his unexpected accession
• His childhood stammer and work with Lionel Logue
• Britain entering World War II
• Historical speech listening and analysis
• Public speaking, elocution and reflection activities
• Research and analytical essay with grading rubric
  Lou Gehrig — The Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth
• Gehrig’s life, baseball career and ALS diagnosis
• Historical context surrounding his July 4, 1939 farewell
• Speech research and analysis
• Leadership, teamwork and gratitude activities
• Historical evidence and critical-thinking exercises
• The Emotional Room creative writing assignment and grading rubric
  Educational Purpose
  Part of Hancock Learning Studio’s Walk in Their Skin collection, these studies encourage students to practice historical empathy.
  Students examine personal experiences, historical circumstances and audiences before interpreting a speaker’s words.
  Understanding another person’s perspective does not require agreeing with every belief or decision.
  Suitable For
  High school English, American and World History, speech studies, historical research, creative writing, critical thinking and homeschooling.
  Grades: 9–12
  Format: Two complete printable PDF studies
  Resource Type: Historical speech-study bundle
  These are the two complete studies, not the shorter standalone writing prompts.
  History provides the evidence. Empathy guides the questions.