Published March 14, 2012

Winston Churchill’s Speech in Washington in 1941

Watch a video of Winston Churchill's speech in Washington in December 1941, just after the attack on Pearl Harbor, and read the most powerful quote from the speech. Learn more about the speech and related articles.

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Continuing the Anglo-American theme of today, here is a second video of a British Prime Minister in Washington.

Winston Churchill took a steamship through German submarine-infested waters around Christmas in 1941, just after the Empire of Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, drawing the U.S. into World War II.

Here is the most powerful quote from the speech.

Sure I am that this day – now we are the masters of our fate; that the task which has been set us is not above our strength; that its pangs and toils are not beyond our endurance. As long as we have faith in our cause and an unconquerable will-power, salvation will not be denied us. In the words of the Psalmist, ‘He shall not be afraid of evil tidings; his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.’ Not all the tidings will be evil.

His closing is excellent …

Still, I avow my hope and faith, sure and inviolate, that in the days to come the British and American peoples will for their own safety and for the good of all walk together side by side in majesty, in justice and in peace.

Here’s the full text of the speech if you’d like to follow along or read it.