On October 4th, 1963, during the Eighteenth Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Haile Selassie delivered a passionate address, calling for world peace amidst the political turbulence of the Cold War. His speech, spoken in Ethiopia’s official Amharic, was a powerful plea for global unity and understanding, and is accompanied by an English translation.
09:15: Bob Marley ‘War’ Excerpt
A portion of this historic address, often referred to as the ‘War’ speech, was later adapted by Bob Marley for his song ‘War,’ which appeared on his 1976 album Rastaman Vibration. Marley’s choice to incorporate Selassie’s words reflected the broader themes of resistance, justice, and human rights that were central to Marley’s music. The speech and song both continue to inspire movements advocating for peace and equality around the world.
