Show some reverence and respect for this unique British leader who became an honorary American. It’s time to celebrate National Winston Churchill Day!
How to Celebrate National Winston Churchill Day
Enjoy National Winston Churchill Day with some of these fun ideas for observing and celebrating:
Learn Some Interesting Facts About Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill was an interesting man who brought all sorts of courage and hope during World War II. He was a also a bit of an unusual character, and here are some fun facts to know about him in honor of National Winston Churchill Day:
Churchill once escaped from a prison camp in South Africa when he was there as a war correspondent.
One of Churchill’s favorite hobbies was painting and he was an avid artist. In fact, he produced more than 500 works of art before his death.
Churchill wasn’t very successful in school. In fact, his performance was poor in basically every subject except English and he almost didn’t make it into military school because he failed his entrance exams twice.
Visit the Winston Churchill Monument
In celebration of National Winston Churchill Day, it might be a cool idea to visit England. Of course, there are tons of unique sights to see in London but, while there, be sure to pop over to Parliament Square where the bronze statue of this British Prime Minister can be found.
Or, for those who don’t have a travel bug in them, look up a photo of the statue online and read a bit about it! Additional statues of Winston Churchill can be found in England, in places like Woodford and Westerham.
Other countries also boast statues depicting the man of the day, including one in Paris, France as well as outside the British Embassy in Washington, DC. There’s also a Churchill statue located in Edmonton, Canada and one in South Africa.
Share Some Winston Churchill Quotes
Those who are big fans of Winston Churchill – the man and the day – might want to take a little time in advance to memorize some of his best quotes to be ready to share.
Or, it might be fun to raise awareness for National Winston Churchill Day by posting a quote of Churchill’s on social media.
Try out some of these quotes by Winston Churchill:
- This is the lesson: never give in, never, never, never, never. (Harrow School, 1941)
- We have not journeyed across the centuries, across the oceans, across the mountains, across the prairies, because we are made of sugar candy. (Canadian Parliament, 1941)
- This is the kind of tedious [sometimes “pedantic”] nonsense up with which I will not put! (Marginal note, 1944)
- If you are going through hell, keep going. (Speech to British people, 1939)
National Winston Churchill Day Timeline
Birth of Winston Churchill
Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill was born at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, setting the stage for a life that would span soldiering, politics, writing, and wartime leadership.
Boer War Capture and Escape
While working as a war correspondent in the Second Boer War, Churchill was captured by Boer forces on November 15 and made a dramatic escape from a prison in Pretoria in December, boosting his public profile in Britain.
Becomes Prime Minister and Rallies Britain
On May 10, Churchill became Prime Minister and, within weeks, delivered stirring speeches such as “Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat” and “Their Finest Hour,” helping to rally British resistance during the darkest early days of World War II.
Articulates the Atlantic Charter
Meeting President Franklin D. Roosevelt off Newfoundland in August, Churchill helps draft the Atlantic Charter, a joint declaration of war aims that lays the groundwork for the postwar international order and closer Anglo‑American ties.
“The Sinews of Peace” and the “Iron Curtain” Speech
On March 5 at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, Churchill warned of an “iron curtain” descending across Europe, shaping early Cold War understanding and highlighting the importance of the transatlantic alliance.
Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature
Churchill received the Nobel Prize in Literature for his mastery of historical and biographical description and for his brilliant oratory, which helped define 20th‑century political communication.
Honorary Citizenship of the United States
On April 9, President John F. Kennedy signed a special act of Congress granting Churchill honorary U.S. citizenship, recognizing his leadership in World War II and his role in fostering the Anglo‑American “special relationship.”
History of National Winston Churchill Day
On April 9th in 1963, Winston Churchill became the second person to become an Honorary Citizen of the United States. This was the first time Congress had resolved that it was to be bestowed by the President of the United States on a foreign national.
Mr. Churchill was granted citizenship in eight individual states as a prelude, including Hawaii, Maryland, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia. National Winston Churchill Day commemorates this man as well as this important event.
The honor of becoming an Honorary Citizen of the United States was bestowed upon him by the 35th President of the United States, John F. Kennedy. And although Mr. Churchill was not able to be present at the ceremony, his son and grandson were there in his stead.
It had been hoped Churchill would not only witness the event on television – which he did with his wife – but would be able to respond in a live format, but problems with a relay station in Cornwall prevented this.
Even so, this ceremony more than five decades ago brought about the annual celebration of National Winston Churchill Day!
