The Harrow Speech

Not less we praise in darker days
The leader of our nation,
And Churchill's name shall win acclaim
From each new generation.
For you have power in danger's hour
Our freedom to defend, Sir!
Though long the fight we know that right
Will triumph in the end, Sir!

Many of you know that I am very fond of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.

One of Churchill's greatest speeches was delivered at Harrow School on October 29, 1941.  Harrow, Churchill's alma mater, is an English boarding school founded in 1572 under a Royal Charter granted by Elizabeth I.  He had been invited back to sing the old songs of his youth as well as address the boys.

The historical context is important.

The Second World War raged in October 1941.  These were some of the darkest days in British history.  Hitler's armies occupied western Europe, Scandinavia, much of the Balkans and North Africa, and the invasion of the Soviet Union had commenced the previous June. Though the United States was providing vast amounts of war materiel through the Lend-Lease program,  D-Day was still almost three years away.

To many Britons it seemed that the world would soon come to an end.  It's very difficult for us today to comprehend or appreciate how desperate it seemed.

Yet through it all, with a spirit of profound optimism, Churchill spoke to the boys of Harrow.  He uttered words that will always be remembered:

"Do not let us speak of darker days: let us speak rather of sterner days. These are not dark days; these are great days—the greatest days our country has ever lived; and we must all thank God that we have been allowed, each of us according to our stations, to play a part in making these days memorable in the history of our race."

For those who wish to listen to the speech, we are fortunate to have it.  I feel certain it will inspire you as it has me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ydi_KGXA9lk