Sir Winston Churchill's Death Anniversary

 

Sir Winston Churchill, who passed away on 24 January 1965, aged 90 years, was a British statesman, military officer, and writer who served as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom twice, most notably during World War II. He is widely regarded as one of the 20th century's most significant figures, celebrated for his leadership against fascism and his powerful oratory. 

Political Career

Churchill's political career spanned over 60 years and was marked by several high-ranking positions in both the Conservative and Liberal parties. 

• Wartime Leadership (1940–1945): He became Prime Minister in May 1940 as Nazi Germany invaded Western Europe. His refusal to consider surrender and his series of inspirational speeches—such as "Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat" and "Their Finest Hour"—rallied the British public and the Empire.
• Second Term (1951–1955): He returned to office in 1951, focusing on foreign affairs, particularly Anglo-American relations and the preservation of the British Empire during the early Cold War.
• Party Defections: He was a Conservative MP from 1900 to 1904, defected to the Liberal Party for 20 years, and eventually rejoined the Conservatives in 1924, serving as Chancellor of the Exchequer. 

Literary and Artistic Achievements

Outside of politics, Churchill was a prolific author and an accomplished amateur painter. 

• Nobel Prize: He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953 for his historical and biographical writings and his "brilliant oratory in defending exalted human values".
• Key Works: His major publications include The Second World War (six volumes), A History of the English-Speaking Peoples, and his autobiography, My Early Life.
• Painting: He took up painting at age 40 to combat depression and produced over 500 canvases throughout his life. 

Early Life and Military Service

• Background: Born at Blenheim Palace to an aristocratic father, Lord Randolph Churchill, and an American mother, Jennie Jerome.
• Sandhurst: After struggling academically at Harrow, he attended the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, and was commissioned into the 4th Queen's Own Hussars.
• War Correspondent: He gained early fame as a soldier and journalist in Cuba, India, Sudan, and South Africa. During the Second Boer War, his daring escape from a prisoner-of-war camp made him a national hero. 

Legacy and Controversies

While Churchill is frequently voted the "Greatest Briton" in public polls, his legacy remains a subject of modern debate. 

• Imperialism: A staunch defender of the British Empire, he has been criticized for his views on race and his role in decisions like the 1943 Bengal Famine.
• International Statesman: He was an early proponent of European unity, famously calling for a "United States of Europe" after WWII.
• Death: He was granted a rare state funeral upon his death in 1965, the first for a commoner since 1898.