This was their finest hour

The This was their finest hour speech was a famous speech made by Winston Churchill to the House of Commons of the British Parliament on 18 June, 1940. It was given shortly after he took over (on 10 May) as Prime Minister of Britain, in the first year of World War II.

Related Topics:
Winston Churchill - House of Commons - British - Parliament - 18 June - 1940 - 10 May - Prime Minister of Britain - World War II

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It was the third of three famous speeches which he gave during the period of the Battle of France. This speech (and the two others, the "Blood, toil, tears, and sweat" speech of 13 May, and the "We shall fight on the beaches" speech of 4 June) were a great inspiration to the embattled United Kingdom as it entered what was probably the most dangerous phase of the entire war.

Related Topics:
Battle of France - Blood, toil, tears, and sweat - 13 May - We shall fight on the beaches - 4 June - United Kingdom

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It was given as France continued to reel from the stunning and massive German breakthrough at Sedan, France; it was shortly to be overcome, and sued for peace a week later, on June 22. In it he tried to give a confident overview of the military situation, and thereby aid his second goal, to rally his people for what he probably knew was going to be a tremendous struggle:

Related Topics:
France - German - Sedan, France - Overcome - June 22

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