In 1947, in the wake of World War II, Secretary of State George C. Marshall approached the Commencement podium and delivered a speech that would change the world.

Though his speech was only 12 minutes long and his oratorical style was less than extraordinary, Marshall's message was revolutionary. He proposed a plan that would reform and recreate Europe's economic infrastructure, promising millions of dollars in U.S. economic aid to struggling European countries on the condition that the countries would work towards promoting a free market and forming trade alliances with the United States.

"It was unique and it was the most important speech in 20th century Harvard history," Hunt says.

Marshall almost did not speak at Harvard that year, however. Though he had also been offered opportunities to speak by the University of Wisconsin and Amherst College, Marshall decided to address Harvard's graduating class.

The timing and location of his big announcement were also uncertain.

It was only after Marshall's journey to Moscow in January 1947, where a private meeting with Joseph Stalin increased Marshall's anxiety about Europe's future, that he contemplated including foreign policy reforms in his Commencement address. When he proposed the idea to Dean Acheson, the Under Secretary of State, Acheson advised against it "on the ground that commencement speeches were a ritual to be endured without hearing."

But Marshall disagreed, and on June 5, 1947, he unveiled his plan to the world at Harvard's Commencement.

Though the speech is frequently cited in history textbooks as a turning point in U.S. foreign policy and global politics, those who heard the speech did not realize its significance--even then-University President James B. Conant '14.