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Churchill is Born
Churchill was born on November 30, 1874. His parents were Lord Randolph and Lady Randolph. They were all wealthy people, but on the lower end of it. He was born in the middle of a social party hosted by the Duke of Marlborough with Lady Randolph rushed to a small room to give birth. As a child, he was very sickly, but enjoyed fun and games, especially lining up his toy soldiers. However, he absolutely loathed school, except for English and debate.
(Gutman, 15-27) -
Churchill Joins Military
In 1895, Churchill graduated from Sandhurst Officer school, and received a commission to the 4th Hussars, a cavalry unit. He had recently lost his father, Lord Randolph, and this was a large boost to his confidence. This was also Churchill’s first service to his country, and would prove instrumental in instilling the sense of patriotism and duty that helped him in later years. He would have a lot of fun in the Hussars, and giving him military experience.
(Gale Biographies:Winston Churchill) -
Churchill Joins Parliament
26 year old Churchill earned a spot in the British Parliament in February of 1901, in the House of Commons. This was his first major government position, and allowed him to use his ideas and speaking skills to help England. While he identified as a conservative, he often sided with liberals on social justice matters. This position would enable him to move up in the government, with more important and important positions until 1911.
(Gale Biographies:Winston Churchill) -
Churchill Becomes Lord of the Admiralty
Winston Churchill was named Lord of the Admiralty in 1911, and began to strengthen the navy. When WW1 began in 1914, Churchill had equipped England with the most powerful fleet of ships in the world. This navy allowed England to win many naval battles in the war. He gained lots of respect in the position, until he was removed because of a military failure that he took responsibility for. His previous position would get him respect later on.
(Gale Biographies:Winston Churchill) -
Churchill Resigns from Government
In the Spring of 1915, Churchill resigned from his position as Lord of the Admiralty due to a failed attack that he took responsibility for. His self-removal from the post led to a self-removal from politics, and he joined the army to fight until the end of the war, serving as an officer. This repeated service would gain him respect among future citizens.
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Charles Lindbergh Crosses Atlantic
Charles Lindbergh made the first nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean, from New York City to Paris, on May 21, 1927. This revolutionized the range of airplanes, and Lindbergh was regarded as a hero for multiple countries. It was part of a competition that had a prize of 30,000 dollars, an extremely large sum of money in the early 20th century.
(Britannica Library, 1) -
Stock Market Crash
The stock market crash of 1929 was a sharp decline in stock value in America that affected million of people across multiple countries. Hundreds of businesses lost over half of their points, and the economic collapse that followed is more well known as the Great Depression, lasting the majority of the 1930s.
(Britannica Library, 1) -
Churchill Named Prime Minister
On this date, Winston Churchill was named the Prime Minister of England by King George VI. This event would provide Churchill with the means to help motivate and lead Britain throughout the troublesome times of World War 2, having recently broken out. This was mainly in response to the from minister Neville Chamberlain's resignation, but still important.
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Churchill Makes,"This was their finest hour" Speech
Written by Churchill, the,"This was their finest hour" speech, given to the House of Commons, came soon after Churchill became minister. This speech displays his verbal skill, as well as his ability to stir people with patriotism, as he addresses the brave men and women of the Allied forces. This would motivate many citizens as well, during the frequent bombings of WW2.
(Biography.com Editors, 1) -
Churchill Makes Iron Curtain Speech
March 5, 1946, Winston Churchill makes his Iron Curtain speech, condemning the rise of Stalin and Communism, and coining the very term, “Iron Curtain,” which would be used for many years to come. This speech helped warn the entire world of the threat that Communist Russia posed against democracy and freedom.
(Biography.com Editors, 1) -
Korean War
The Korean War was a conflict between South and North Korea starting June 25, 1950. Communist North Korea was backed by the also Communist Soviet Union and People’s Republic of China. South Korea’s allies were the United Nations, most notably the United States. North Korea instigated the conflict, and by the end of shooting in 1953, 2.5 million people were killed.
(Britannica Library, 1) -
Churchill Receives Nobel Prize
Winston Churchill received the Nobel Prize for Literature on December 10, 1953 for his verbal skills defending the values of humanity, presumably against Hitler. This was Churchill’s first Nobel Prize, and displayed the gratitude of humanity for his efforts throughout his life.
(Nobel Prize.org, 1) -
Vietnam War Begins
The Vietnam War began in 1954, as a conflict between the Communist North Vietnam, and South Vietnam. The conflict was won by North Vietnam, and one of the largest military defeats by the United States, who were backing South Vietnam with troops and supplies.
(Britannica Library, 1) -
Yuri Gagarin Becomes First Man in Space
The first man in space was Yuri Gagarin, on April 12, 1961. Gagarin was a cosmonaut, or Russian astronaut, for the Soviet Union. He was in the spacecraft Vostok 1, and upon his return, after a 1 hour single orbit, was hailed as a national hero. He died a few years after in a plane accident, after training future cosmonauts.
(Britannica Library, 1) -
John F. Kennedy is Assassinated
John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, by Lee Harvey Oswald while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas. He was the fourth president, and the most recent, to be assassinated, and his death took a large toll on the United States, as he was an extremely popular president.
(Britannica Library, 1) -
Churchill Dies
On January 24, 1965, at the age of 90, Winston Churchill died of a heart attack at his home in Kensington. The entire nation mourned him for over a week, and it was the largest state funeral ever in the history of the UK. His influence and patriotism helped get the Allies through World War 2, and he began an alliance between the US and England that would last to this day. His passing affected the world, with his funeral attracting representatives from 122 countries.
(Biography.com editors, 1)
