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Winston Churchill Day
"We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender."
~ House of Commons, June 4th, 1940
Winston Churchill (1874-1965) was one of the best-known statesmen of the 20th century. Though born into a life of privilege, son of American heiress Jennie Jerome and Lord Randolph Churchill, he dedicated himself to public service. As the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the most critical periods of World War II, his leadership was pivotal in rallying the British people against the Axis powers. Churchill's eloquence and determination were encapsulated in his speeches, which have since become beacons of courage and resilience. Beyond his wartime leadership, Churchill was also a Nobel Prize laureate in Literature, a historian, and an artist, showcasing his diverse talents and interests. His policies and decisions have been subject to debate, reflecting the complexity of his role in history. However, his contributions to the defense of democracy and freedom against totalitarianism remain a significant part of his legacy, symbolizing the enduring fight for liberty and justice in the face of adversity. On April 9th in 1963, Winston Churchill became the second person to become an Honorary Citizen of the United States. This tribute tartan encompasses colours associated with Churchill’s famous defiant British Bulldog image: blue and white for his ‘Dickie Bow’; dark grey for his Homburg hat; light brown for his cigar; black for ‘The Black Dog’ of depression that he battled. "Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never —i n nothing, great or small, large or petty — never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force. Never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy." 🇬🇧 🇺🇸 🏴
“Of all the small nations of this earth, perhaps only the ancient Greeks surpass the Scots in their contribution to mankind.”
~ William Churchill (attributed)
On April 9th in 1963, Winston Churchill became the second person to become an Honorary Citizen of the United States, although this was the first time Congress had resolved that it was to be bestowed by the President of the United States, on a foreign national – he was granted citizenship of eight individual states as a prelude :- Hawaii, Maryland, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia. Winston Churchill Day commemorates this event.
The phrase ‘British Bulldog spirit’, meaning unrelenting courage, had evolved during the 19th century, but it gained its strongest symbolism as it became coupled with Winston Churchill's glowering mien and his steadfast determination to overcome the powerful Nazi forces in World War II.
From the official register:
This tartan celebrates the signature style, renowned mage and steadfast spirit of Sir Winston Churchill, who will always be remembered for leading Great Britain victorious through World War II. Churchill was an imposing figure who dominated with his wit, intelligence and dogged determination. Churchill battled for years with depression which he called ‘The Black Dog’. He understood the ‘power of image’ and what attire did for a man’s ‘inner confidence’. This tartan encompasses colours associated with Churchill’s famous defiant British Bulldog image: blue and white for his ‘Dickie Bow’; dark grey for his Homburg hat; light brown for his cigar; black for ‘The Black Dog’.
The shifting legacy of Churchill was examined in a recent article by The Scotsman's Alistair Stewart. He writes: "For decades half-truths about Churchill’s supposed disregard or even contempt for Scotland have congealed, and he now personifies a myth of English oppression. The absence of a singular resource about Churchill and Scotland have turned prevailing myths into fact and social media the de facto reference for factoids. That it took until 2008 for a commemorative plaque of any sort to mark Churchill’s tenure as MP for Dundee is a case in point."
To read the entire article, click the portrait.