The day Winston Churchill was made an honorary citizen of the United States is observed each year on April 9.
Well known for his leadership as Prime Minster of the United Kingdom during World War II, Winston Churchill earned his reputation through experience both in politics and the military.
On this very day in 1963, a ceremony for honorary citizenship presided over by President John F. Kennedy, took place for Winston Churchill. Churchill was not present at the ceremony, but his son and grandson were able to attend.
Honorary though his citizenship may be, Churchill can uniquely trace his roots back to Virginia by way of Brooklyn, New York. His mother was American, Jennie Jerome. Her marriage to Lord Randolph Churchill produced two children: John Spencer and Winston.
It was the first occasion in U.S. history honorary citizenship was granted. It has only been given seven other times since, and of those, six have been posthumous. The remaining one awarded during the person’s lifetime was granted to Mother Teresa in 1996.
Quite the rare honor, even for a man who had received many honors throughout his lifetime.
FOLLOWING ARE JUST A FEW OF THE MANY FACTS ABOUT WINSTON CHURCHILL:
- Born in 1874
- Admired British Politician
- Elected to the British Parliament in 1900
- First Lord of the Admiralty
- Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
- Secretary of State for War and Air
- 1953 Nobel Prize Winner for Literature
- Soldier, Legislator, Historian
- Writer, Artist, Orator
- Good Relationship with Franklin D. Roosevelt
- Died 1965
Sources:
Disclaimer
The information contained in South Florida Reporter is for general information purposes only.
The South Florida Reporter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service.
In no event shall the South Florida Reporter be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service. The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of the Service at any time without prior notice.
The Company does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components
