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Birth of Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill was born on Novemer 30, 1874, in Bleinhem Palace, Oxfordshire, to an aristocratic family. His father, Lord Randolf Churchill, was a Member of the English Parliament. His mother, Jennie Jerome, was the daughter of wealthy American, Leonard Jerome. This event is significant because Winston Churchill later became Prime Minister of Great Britain in 1940 and served his country through both World Wars (Epstein 168). -
Sandhurst
Winston Churchill was accepted to British Royal Military College in Sandhurst on January 1, 1893 where he was educated in tactics, fortification,topography [mapmaking], military law and military fortification, formed the whole curriculum. Churchill exceled at his school, graduating eighth out of a class of one hundred and fifty. Ths is significant because Churchill would go on to join the army and use his military knowledge to his advantage in politics (Epstein 30). -
Winston Joins the Army
Churchills joins the army as a liutenant with the Fourth Hussars,a cavalry regiment in the British Army. While on leave, he goes to Cuba to report for the newspaper, Daily Graphic, from the cuban warfront to report on the campaign of the Spanish army against Cuban rebels. On one march through rebel territory, Chuchill narrowly avoids getting shot at.
This is a significant event because it proves Churchill's
bravery. He had no impulse to run or hide when the shot
sounded (Epstein 33, 34, 168) . -
Winston Goes to Africa
Winston Churchill sails to Africa to report on the Boer war as a journalist for the newspaper the Morning Post on October 14, 1899. He was taken captive by the Boers and imprisoned in Pretoria, South Africa.However, he manages to escape. This event is significant because he gained national publicity
and opened doors for a political career (Epstein 60, 61, 68, 78). -
House of Commons
Chuchill gets elected into the House of Commons as a Conservative member from Oldham. He vows to make important social reforms, especially on poverty. He soon switches to the liberal party due to different views. This is a significant event because it shows how far Churchill has come from being a prisoner to part of the government. Also, it shows that he cares more about the people of Britain than himself, sacrificing his friendships in his party for the benifit of the poor (Epstein 85,86,168). -
First Lord of the Admiralty
Churchill is appointed First Lord of the Admiralty on January 1, 1911He emphasizes modernization by creating the navy's first air sevice. He greatly increases Britain's naval strength and prepares for the rapid approach of World War One. This event is significant because under Winston Churchill's rule of First Lord, Britain gains territory following the end of World War One ("Effect of World War I on Each Country"). -
Scot fusiliers
After the loss at Dardenelles, Churchill was forced to leave the House of Commons temporarily in 1915. He was stationed in France where he commanded a batillion of Scot fussiliers. They grew fond of Churchill and thrived under his command. This event is significant because it shows how great of a leader Churchill was. He could take soldiers he did not even know and make something out of them (Epstein 106-107). -
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Churchill was elected Chancellor of the Exchequer on Jan 1, 1924. The job of which is the director of the national budget. This is where his father, Lord Randolph, was at the pinnacle of his political career. This event is significant because the position often led to becoming Prime Minster, the executive position of the
government (Epstein 112, 114, 170). -
First Lord of the Admiralty Again
Germany invades Poland on September 1, 1939. France and England both declare war on Germany September 3, 1939, the same day Churchill becomes First Lord. Finally, German appeasement ended and the two countries adhered to Churchill's warnings This is important because Churchill had been ignored in his warnings in years prior and went into a state of retirement after losing the 1931 election for Prime Minister until now (Epstein 118-120, 170). -
Prime Minister
Churchill succeeds Chamberlain as Prime Minister May 10, 1946. He leads the British people through World War Two with his encouraging speeches. He says in his first report to the House of Commons "I have noting to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat". This event is important because Churchill united Britain during WWII. He also created close ties with President Franklin D. Roosevelt while gaining Lend Lease aid and U.S. involvement in the war ("Churchill, Sir Winston Leonard Spencer"). -
Iron Curtain
Winston Churchill gives his famous Iron Curtain speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri March 5. The purpose was to build an even greater relationship between Britain and the U.S. and to warn against the rapid expansion of the Soviet Union. Churchill’s “iron curtain” phrase immediately entered the official vocabulary of the Cold War. The speech persuaded the U.S. the Soviet Union was bent on expansion This event is significant because it demonstrated the power of Churchill speeches. -
Prime Minister Again
Churchill is elected Prime Minister for a second time on January, 1951. The labor part which had ruled Great Britain became weak and the economy was exausted by war. The British empire was shrinking: Ireland and India had both gained independance and Egypt was pulling away. People mubbled that this would never had happened if Churchillwas in power. This event is significant because it shows how loyal the people of Britain are to Winston Churchill (Epstein 161-163, 170). -
Knight of Garter
Churchill is made Knight of the Garter by Queen Elizabeth II on January 1, 1953. He is now known as Sir Winston Churchill. This is significant because the Knight of the Garter is the highest order of chivalry and the third most prestigious honour in England (Epstein 165). -
Nobel Prize
Winston Chuchill is awarded the Nobel Prize for literature. Awarded for his six-volume ducumentation of World War II on January 1,1953 This event is significant because the Nobel Prize is considered one of the most prestigious awards in the world. (Epstein 170) -
Honorary Citizen
Winston Churchill was made an honorary citizen on January 1, 1963. Soon after his eighty-eighth birthday, the United States Congress declared him an honorary citizen. President John F. Kennedy said "By adding his name to our rolls, we mean to honor him-but his acceptance honors us far more". This event is significant because it shows how important Winston Churchill was and what a big role he played in international affairs. Only one other person has recieved this title (Epstein 166). -
Winston Churchill Dies
Sir Winston Churchill dies, age 90, on January 24th. Queen Elizabeth has his body lay in Westminister Hall, where the bodies of England's monarchs lay. People waited hours in harsh weather to see his coffin. He was buried beside his parents in a country churchyard near Blenheim Palace. This event is significant because Winston Churchill had become a legend to both Britain and many others. His death was widely mourned (Epstein 166-167).
