"WINNIE, RICH PAYING GUEST IN TORY PALACE"

MRS. ASQUITH CRITICAL OF BRITISH COALITION GOVERNMENT AND WINSTON CHURCHILL

New York City (JFK+50) On February 12, 1922, Mrs. Margot Asquith*, speaking in Selwyn Theater**, "criticized Coalition government and had a fling at Winston Churchill."

Mrs. Asquith described Mr. Churchill as "very young and unlikely ever to grow up."  The youthful statesman had "ridiculed" Mrs. Asquith's husband's liberalism, so she decided to "talk to the American people on politics."

While she admitted that Winnie did have "a touch of genius," Mrs. Asquith went on to describe him as a "rich paying guest in the Tory palace."

*Emma Margaret Asquith (1864-1945) was born in Peebleshire, U.K. & became a socialite, author & wit.  EMA was the wife of H.H. Asquith, Prime Minister UK 1894-1928.

**Selwyn Theater is an Italian Renaissance style Broadway Theater built in 1918.  Located at 227 W 42nd Street with a capacity of 740, it was used for musicals and other dramatic performances.

SOURCE

"Margot Calls Churchill Rich Paying Guest in Tory Palace," The New York Tribune, February 13, 1922, Chronicling America, Library of Congresss, www.loc.gov/ 

   

 

Margot Asquith

Portrait by Philip de Laszio (1909)

Parliamentary Art Collection

"THE BRITISH & AMERICAN PEOPLES WILL WORK TOGETHER"

CHURCHILL ADDRESSES JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 26, 1941, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill spoke to a joint session of the United States Congress at the Capitol here in Washington.

The Prime Minister said...

"The best tidings of all--the United States, united as never before, has drawn the sword for freedom.  (We are) facing a group of mighty foes who seek our ruin.  I avow my hope...that...the British and American peoples will work together in majesty, in justice and in peace."

 

*Winston Churchill (1874-1965) was born in Oxfordshire, U.K.  His mother was the daughter of a wealthy American businessman.  WC served in the British Parliament (1900-1964) & was PM during WWII & (1951-1955).

 

 

Winston Churchill

Addressing U.S. Congress

December 26, 1941

 
 

 

"ONE CANNOT MAKE PEACE ABROAD WHEN INVOLVED IN POLITICAL TURMOIL AT HOME"

PRESIDENT WILSON RETURNS TO PARIS

Paris, France (JFK+50) On March 14, 1919, President Woodrow Wilson returned to the peace conference here in Paris after a "whirlwind trip back to Washington."

The President's efforts to impact world peace would prove difficult.  Winston Churchill wrote...

"The spacious philanthropy which (Wilson) exhaled upon Europe stopped quite sharply at the coasts of his country.  Peace and goodwill among all nations abroad, but no truck with the Republican party at home.  That was his ticket to ruin."

According to the State Department, while public opinion supported ratification of the Versailles Treaty and 32 states passed resolutions of support, there was strong opposition in the United States Senate.  There the Treaty of Versailles* failed ratification.

Donald McClarey writes...

"one cannot effectively make peace abroad when involved in political turmoil at home."

*Treaty of Versailles between Germany & the Allied Powers ended WWI & was signed by Germany & 3 Allied nations.  It imposed harsh territorial, military & economic conditions on Germany but did provide for a League of Nations strongly supported by President Wilson.

SOURCES

"March 14, 1919:  Wilson Returns to the Paris Peace Conference," by Donald R. McClarey, March 14, 2019, The American Catholic, www.the-american-catholic.com/

"The Paris Peace Conference and the Treaty of Versailles," U.S. Department of State Archive.

Wilson Returns from Paris

Associated Press Photo (1919)

"FROM STETTIN IN THE BALTIC TO TRIESTE IN THE ADRIATIC..."

CHURCHILL SAYS AN IRON CURTAIN HAS DESCENDED ACROSS EUROPE

Fulton, Missouri (JFK+50) On March 5, 1946, Winston Churchill, former Prime Minister of Great Britain, gave his famous "Iron Curtain Speech" here in Fulton, Missouri.  Mr. Churchill, a guest of President Harry S Truman, spoke at Westminster College*.

He presented the following warning to the western world...

"From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain** has descended across the continent."

Earlier Mr. Churchill talked about the special relationship between his country and the United States.  He also said that in dealing with the Soviets there is...

"nothing which they admire so much as strength and there is nothing for which they have less respect than for military weakness."

The Iron Curtain speech is considered one of the first references of the existence of a "cold war" between East and West.

*Westminster College was founded in 1851.  It is a private liberal arts college located in Fulton, MO.  It is also home of the National Churchill Museum.

**Iron Curtain describes the physical boundary dividing the Soviet Bloc of eastern Europe and free western Europe from the end of WWII to the end of the Cold War (1945-1991).

Churchill Speaks 

Westminster College

Fulton, Missouri

"THE MOST COMPLETE UNIFICATION OF MILITARY EFFORT EVER ACHIEVED"

CHURCHILL ARRIVES IN U.S. FOR CONFERENCE WITH FDR

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On December 22, 1941, only three weeks after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Prime Minister Winston Churchill of Great Britain arrived here in the Nation's Capital for a week long conference with President Franklin D. Roosevelt of the United States.

The Washington Conference, code named "Arcadia", came at the suggestion of the Prime Minister.  The British Broadcasting Company called it "the most complete unification of military effort ever achieved" by the two nations.

The meetings began on the evening of the 22nd of December as FDR and Mr. Churchill, along with their advisers, "talked at length about the strategic situation."

The conference continued through the New Year and did not conclude until the 14th of January 1942.  At the end, a joint declaration was issued that stated the first objective of the Allied partners would be the defeat of Nazi Germany.

Mr. Churchill lodged for most of the conference at the White House.  The Prime Minister slept in the Rose Room, now known as the Queen's Bedroom*, located on the second floor of the mansion.  Harry Hopkins, FDR's adviser, referred to it as the "Headquarters of the British Empire."

*The Queen's Bedroom is now decorated in the 1868 Federalist style.  The bed is thought to have belonged to Andrew Jackson.

SOURCES

 "Editor's Note on ARCADIA Conference," The George C. Marshall Foundation, www.marshallfoundation.org/

"Washington Conference," World War 2 People's War, www.bbc.co.uk/

The Queen's Bedroom 

 The White House (2000)

White House Museum

"HE MOBILIZED THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE & SENT IT INTO BATTLE"

WINSTON CHURCHILL BORN IN OXFORDSHIRE

Oxfordshire, England (JFK+50)  Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, Prime Minster of Britain during WWII, was born at Blenheim Palace* here in Oxfordshire on November 30, 1874.

Winston was the son of Lord Randolph Churchill and the American socialite, Jennie Jerome.   Winston's grand father, John Strange Spencer-Churchill, was the 7th Duke of Marlborough.

Winston Churchill, first educated by a governess in Dublin, Ireland,  later     graduated from Royal Military College.In 1904, he married Clementine Hozier.

After a short service in the military, WC was elected to Parliament in 1900 and became the 1st Lord of the Admiralty in 1911.  He served in that capacity again in 1939.

In May 1940, Churchill became Prime Minister, serving in that position from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951-1955.

Sir Winston was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.   Known for his great oratory, Mr. Churchill said he wrote every word of his speeches and often spent an hour working on one minute of a speech.

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy, whose own hero was Winston Churchill, said...

"In the dark days...when England stood alone...he mobilized the English language and sent it into battle."

*Blenheim Palace, a country house serving as the main residence of the Dukes of Marlborough.  BP was built between 1705 & 1722 & became the principal home of the Churchill family for 300 years.

Prime Minister Churchill

"V" for Victory Sign

June 5, 1943

Imperial War Museum Photo

CHURCHILL WANTS BOLSHEVIKS BACK IN WWI

FUTURE BRITISH PM SUGGESTS TR TO TALK TO THE RUSSIANS

London, England (JFK+50) One hundred years ago, April 7, 1918, Minister of Munitions Winston Churchill* sent a secret message to the British War Cabinet calling for employing a representative to convince the Russians to re-enter World War I.

Mr. Churchill proposed that...

"a prominent and well-respected representative of the Allies...be...sent to Russia to negotiate...a plan to re-open the Eastern front."

Churchill even suggested former President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt for the task.The future PM wanted the Allies to "offer support to the Bolsheviks...to overcome internal opposition" in order to get Russia back in the war.  

As it turned out, the British War Cabinet did not accept Churchill's proposal.

*Winston Churchill (1874-1965) graduated from Royal Military College and after a short service in the military became First Lord of the Admiralty.  WC served as British PM from 1940- 1955.

SOURCE

"Winston Churchill urges talks with Russia", April 7:  On This Day in History, www.history.com/

Winston Churchill

Royal Scots Fusiliers

French-Belgian Border (1916)

         

'DARKEST HOUR': THAT KIND OF LEADERSHIP CAN BE OUT THERE

CHURCHILL ADDRESSES CONGRESS 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) This past week a new movie about Winston Churchill opened in New York and Los Angeles.  'Darkest Hour', which stars Gary Oldman* as the Prime Minister, is set in May 1940.  British historian Andrew Roberts says...

"It is having a leader whom everyone admires...and is working towards a goal that everyone needs.  It does remind people that kind of...leadership can be out there."

On December 26, 1941, Mr. Churchill addressed a joint session of the United States Congress at the Capitol here in Washington.  The Prime Minister began his speech with these words...

"I cannot help reflecting that if my father had been American and my mother British instead of the other way round, I might have gotten here on my own."

Mr. Churchill continued...

"To me the best tidings of all--the United States, united as never before (since the Pearl Harbor attack of Dec 7), has drawn the sword for freedom...."

He reminded the members of Congress that together the United Kingdom and the United States were "facing a group of mighty foes who seek our ruin."

The Prime Minister said that he was impressed with the American "well-grounded confidence in the final outcome" which "we in Britain (have) had...in our darkest days."

Then, the Prime Minister concluded his well-received remarks with these words...

"Here we are together, defending all that to free men is dear.  I avow my hope and faith....that in the days to come the British and American peoples will....walk together in majesty, in justice and in peace."

*Gary Leonard Oldman was born in 1958 in London.  GLO is an actor who has appeared in theater, film and television.  He was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company & played the role of Lee Harvey Oswald in Oliver Stone's 'JFK' in 1991.

SOURCES

"Address to Joint Session of United States Congress, 1941," National Churchill Museum, www.nationalchurchillmuseum.org/

"'Churchill in the year of Trump':  Darkest Hour feeds America's love for Winston", by  David Smith, The Guardian, www.theguardian.com/ 

Winston Churchill 

United States Congress

Washington, D.C.

December 26, 1941

HERE WE ARE TOGETHER DEFENDING ALL THAT TO FREE MEN IS DEAR

JFK+50:  Volume 7, No. 2170

WINSTON CHURCHILL SPOKE TO JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS 75 YEARS AGO TODAY

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Seventy-five years ago today, December 26, 1941, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill addressed a joint session of the United States Congress at the Capitol here in Washington.  

The Prime Minister began his speech with these words:

"I cannot help reflecting that if my father had been American and my mother British instead of the other way round, I might have gotten here on my own."

Mr. Churchill continued...

"To me the best tidings of all--the United States, united as never before (since the Pearl Harbor attack of Dec 7), has drawn the sword for freedom...."

He reminded the members of Congress that together the United Kingdom and the United States were "facing a group of mighty foes who seek our ruin."

The Prime Minister said that he was impressed with the American "well-grounded confidence in the final outcome" which "we in Britain (have) had...in our darkest days."

Then, the Prime Minister concluded his well-received remarks with these words...

"Here we are together, defending all that to free men is dear.  I avow my hope and faith....that in the days to come the British and American peoples will....walk together in majesty, in justice and in peace."

SOURCE

"Address to Joint Session of United States Congress, 1941," National Churchill Museum, www.nationalchurchillmuseum.org/

Winston Churchill 

United States Congress

Washington, D.C.

December 26, 1941

A STEADFAST FRIEND OF THE AMERICAN PEOPLE

JFK+50:  Volume 5, No. 1914

CHURCHILL BECOMES HONORARY AMERICAN CITIZEN

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) Fifty-three years ago today, April 9, 1963, Great Britain's Winston Spencer Churchill became an honorary citizen of the United States of America.

By signing Proclamation 3525, President John F. Kennedy made the then 88 year old former British prime minister an honorary American citizen.  The Proclamation reads...

"Whereas Sir Winston Churchill, a son of America though a subject of Britain, has been throughout his life a firm and steadfast friend of the American people and the American nation...I, John F. Kennedy, President of the United States of America do hereby declare Sir Winston Churchill an honorary citizen of the United States..."

The President also called Churchill...

 "the most honored and honorable man to walk the stage of human history in the time in which we live."

Although he could not be present for the ceremony, Mr. Churchill's son, Randolph, accepted the decree from President Kennedy in his father's behalf.  

Reading from the text of a letter written by his father, the younger Churchill thanked the people of the United States for the, in his father's words, "unique distinction which will always be proudly remembered by my descendants."

Later, Winston Churchill himself said...

"I have received many kindnesses from the U.S.A. but the honour which you now accord me is without parallel.  I accept it with deep gratitude and  affection."

75TH ANNIVERSARY OF BATTLE OF BRITAIN

THE BATTLE OF BRITAIN BEGAN 75 YEARS AGO

London, U.K. (JFK+50) Seventy-five years ago today, July 10, 1940, Adolf Hitler's Luftwaffe launched its first attacks on Great Britain.  In a battle that would last from July to October, the German dictator was to suffer his first military defeat.

On June 18, 1940, Winston Churchill said...

"What General Weygand has called the Battle of France is over.  The battle of Britain is about to begin.  Upon (it) depends  the survival of Christian civilization.  Upon it depends our British life.  

Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say 'This was their finest hour.'"

On the first day of the Battle of Britain, 120 German bombers and fighters struck a British Convoy in the English Channel while 70 more attacked key installations in South Wales.

The battle was the first major campaign to be fought entirely by air forces and the largest and most sustained aerial bombing campaign to date.  It was also costly for both sides.  The Royal Air Force (RAF) lost 1023 of its planes and 544 of its pilots while the Luftwaffe lost 1187 aircraft and 2500 of her personnel.

British civilian casualties from July to December 1940 included 23,002 killed and 32,138 wounded, but the failure of the German war machine to defeat the RAF "was one of the turning points of the Second World War."

Today, on the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Britain, aircraft belonging to the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF), based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, flew over Buckingham Palace.  The aircraft included Hurricanes and Spitfires.  Six RAF pilots who took part in the Battle of Britain were on hand for the celebrations.

SOURCE

"Battle of Britain 75th anniversary flypast takes place," BBC News, July 10, 2015, www.bbc.com/

Hawker Hurricane R4118

Royal International Air Tattoo

Photo by Adrian Pingstone (2014)

WINSTON CHURCHILL PRIME MINISTER

CHURCHILL OFFERS BLOOD, TEARS AND SWEAT TO WIN VICTORY 

London (JFK+50) Three quarters of a century ago today, May 13, 1940, Winston Churchill* took charge of the British government as Prime Minister.

In his opening speech to Parliament, Prime Minister Churchill said...

"I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat."

The Prime Minister went on to say that Great Britain's goal would be...

"victory....at all costs...in spite of terror...however long and hard the road may be."

Churchill continued...

"We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind.  We have before us many...long months of struggle and suffering.  You ask, what is our policy?  I will say:  It is to wage war, by sea, land and air with all the strength that God can give us."

In his remarks of April 9, 1963,upon signing the proclamation making Winston Churchill an honorary American citizen, President John F. Kennedy said 

"Whenever and wherever tyranny threatened, (Winston Churchill) has always championed liberty.  Facing firmly toward the future, he has never forgotten the past.  Serving 6 monarchs of his native Great Britain, he has served all men's freedom and dignity.

In the dark days and darker nights when England stood alone...he mobilized the English language and sent it into battle.  The incandescent quality of his words illuminated the courage of his countrymen."

Statue of Winston Churchill

Parliament Square, London

Photo by Ziko (2004)

*Winston Churchill (1874-1965) was born in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, UK and graduated from the Royal Military College.  He was commissioned in the 4th Queen's Own Hussars in 1895.  He was elected to Parliament in 1900, served as Chancellor of Exchequer (1924-1929) and Prime Minister (1940-1955).

SOURCE

"Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States:  John F. Kennedy, January 1 to November 22, 1963," United States Government Printing Office, Washington, 1964.

                       

WINSTON CHURCHILL

WINSTON CHURCHILL BECAME BRITISH PM 75 YEARS AGO TODAY

London (JFK+50) Neville Chamberlain resigned as Prime Minister of Britain 75 years ago today, May 10, 1940 and was replaced by Winston Churchill.

As Churchill assumed the position, word came that Hitler's forces had invaded both Holland and Belgium.

Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, was born at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England on November 30, 1874.  He was the son of Lord Randolph Churchill and American socialite, Jennie Jerome.  Lord Randolph's father, John Strange Spencer-Churchill, was the 7th Duke of Marlborough.

Winston Churchill was 1st educated by a governess in Dublin, Ireland but later had a poor academic record in school.  WC graduated from Royal Military College.  In 1904, WC married Clementine Hozier.

After a short service in the military, WC was elected to Parliament in 1900 & became the First Lord of the Admirality in 1911 and served in that capacity again in 1939.

In May 1940, WC became PM and served until 1955. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.  Known for his great oratory, WC said he wrote every word of his speeches and spent an hour working on one minute of a speech.

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy said:

"In the dark days...when England stood alone...he mobilized the English language and sent it into battle."

One of the most quoted Churchill lines is:

"Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duty & so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say "This was their finest hour.'"

Winston Churchill

May 20, 1940

Imperial War Museum Photo

SIR WINSTON'S BIRTHDAY

November 30, 2013

SIR WINSTON BORN 149 YEARS AGO

Oxfordshire, England (JFK+50)  Sir Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, Prime Minster of Britain during WWII, was born at Blenheim Palace here in Oxfordshire 139 years ago today, November 30, 1874.

Blenheim Palace

User: Pcb21 (2004)

wikipedia.com

Winston was the son of Lord Randolph Churchill and the American socialite, Jennie Jerome.   Winston's grand father, John Strange Spencer-Churchill, was the 7th Duke of Marlborough.

Winston Churchill, first educated by a governess in Dublin, Ireland,  later     graduated from Royal Military College.In 1904, he married Clementine Hozier.

After a short service in the military, WC was elected to Parliament in 1900 and became the 1st Lord of the Admiralty in 1911.  He served in that capacity again in 1939.

In May 1940, Churchill became Prime Minister, serving in that position from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951-1955.

Sir Winston was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II.   Known for his great oratory, Mr. Churchill said he wrote every word of his speeches and often spent an hour working on one minute of a speech.

In 1963, President John F. Kennedy, whose own hero was Winston Churchill, said:

"In the dark days...when England stood alone...he mobilized the English language and sent it into battle."

One of the most quoted Churchillian lines is:

"Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duty and so bear ourselves that if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say "This was their finest hour.'"

Prime Minister Churchill

"V" for Victory Sign

June 5, 1943

Imperial War Museum Photo