The statue of Churchill (1973) by Ivor Roberts-Jones in Parliament Square, London. Wikipedia image. Photo by Eluveitie.
In late 1941, at the height of Britain’s troubles as the sole surviving, able-to-fight exponent of democratic government in Europe, Winston Churchill paid a visit to his old school, to hear the students sing and join them in song. He was asked to speak.
It was a short speech, wholly extemporaneous, but one phrase went on to become one of the most-quoted parts of any speech ever given, anywhere.
Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never — in nothing, great or small, large or petty — never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense!
Winston S. Churchill, address to the boys of Harrow School, October 29, 1941.
More:
- Full text of the speech, from the Churchill Centre in London (see/hear audio below in YouTube piece)
- Time lists the speech #1 in its list of top commencement speeches; but this was not a commencement ceremony
- Details of Churchill’s visits to Harrow from Winston Churchill: A Biographical Companion
- No, You’re Not Quoting Churchill (npr.org)
- A Churchill ‘Quote’ That U.S. Politicians Will Never Surrender (npr.org)
- Our Churchill (powerlineblog.com)
- Winston Churchill Lliveblogs World War II: October 29, 1941 (delong.typepad.com)
- Churchill Ceremony Teaser Released (speaker.gov)
Yes, this is mostly an encore post. Fighting ignorance requires patience.
Millard Fillmore's Bathtub 
Given last night’s coordinated terrorist attacks in Paris, Churchill’s comments never had more meaning.
LikeLike