Helen Keller gave a speech to the faculty and students of the Sorbonne in Paris, June 21, 1952. Helen was in France for the reinternment of Louis Braille's body to the Pantheon in Paris from his village in Coupvray. In the following film clip, hear Helen deliver part of her speech in French honoring Louis Braille. Regarding the importance of braille, Helen states:
"In our small way we the blind are as indebted to Louis Braille as mankind is to Gutenberg…the raised letters under our fingers are precious pods from which has sprouted our intellectual wealth."
Afterward, Helen is made Chevalier of the Legion of Honor and presented with a medal. A man pins a medal onto Helen’s dress. She smiles. The man kisses Helen’s left and right cheek. Polly Thompson stands beside Helen and also kisses her cheeks. A large poster at the back of the stage displays the braille alphabet.
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