Farewell speech - Definition and Overview

Farewell speech describes a speech given by an individual leaving a position or place. They are most often used by public figures such as politicians as a form of conclusion to the preceding career (such as that given by Ronald Reagan); or as a statements delivered by persons relating to reasons for their leaving (such as that given by Yukio Mishima). The term is often used as a euphamism for retirement speech, though it is broader in that it may include geographical, or even biological, conclusion.

Last words are a specific type of farewell speech.

Notable farewell speeches

• George Washington - warned of the dangers of political parties
• Dwight D. Eisenhower - warned of military-industrial complex
• Douglas MacArthur - farewell speeches before Congress and U.S. Military Academy; "old soldiers never die, they only fade away" and "duty, honor, country"