Lyra stepped onto the podium, flanked on both sides by burly unicorns dressed like they were ready for war. They were, but that wasn't the point. With a subtle head movement by Lyra, the guards bowed respectfully and retreated back down the steps, leaving Lyra Heartstrings alone in the centre of the podium. She approached the pedestal and looked out into the distance.
A veritable sea of colour looked back. Ponies from near and far; of all species, sizes, and colours; and from all walks of life looked respectfully back, their eyes shining. The ocean of bodies was arrayed out in front of Lyra, all looking at her and her alone. The silence was so profound that Lyra's own heart beating happily was the loudest thing.
"Ladies and gentlestallions; fillies and colts," she began, her voice amplified to everypony's ears by a simple spell. "I stand before and am happy to join you today in what will go down in history as one of the most important events to ever occur on Equestrian soil.
"Throughout our many years as a species, we have been no strangers to war. From the Storming of Castle Ironclaw against the gryphons nearly a thousand years ago, to the Defence of Vanhoover from the minotaur armada, our ancestors were forced to fight tooth and hoof for the land we now call Equestria."
Lyra paused for a moment to let her words sink in.
"A year ago today, we began our fight for freedom—for the right to live our lives without fear of being prosecuted for our speech, expression, or thought.
"A year ago today, we stood up the Princesses and showed that we would not be bought with false promises said through evil smiles.
"A year ago today, we started a civil war—one that was centuries in the making.
"Today... we finished it."
Lyra felt tears streaming down her cheeks. They were as real as the air she breathed.
"The pillars of lies that were the foundation of the monarchy toppled beneath the collective might of all ponykind against deceit and tyranny.
"Today...
"We are free."
A deafening applause burst out of the crowd like an erupting volcano, showering Lyra with zealous cheers. She stepped down from the podium and glanced to the side. The thunderous applause of tens of thousands of ponies was enough to collapse the last remnants of the Royal Palace. Lyra smiled.
As was the truth with generations before her, it still held true that all great, world-shaking events have been brought about by the spoken word.