Their Finest Hour

Delivered: June 18, 1940, to the House of Commons

The Situation

I spoke the other day of the colossal military disaster which occurred when the French High Command failed to withdraw the northern Armies from Belgium at the moment when they knew that the French front was decisively broken at Sedan and on the Meuse.

This delay entailed the loss of fifteen or sixteen French divisions and threw out of action for the critical period the whole of the British Expeditionary Force. Our Army and 120,000 French troops were indeed rescued by the British Navy from Dunkirk but only with the loss of their cannon, vehicles and modern equipment.

The Battle of Britain

What General Weygand called the Battle of France is over. I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilization. Upon it depends our own British life, and the long continuity of our institutions and our Empire.

The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us. Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this Island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands.

But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science.

The Call to Duty

Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, "This was their finest hour."

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Speech Analysis

Key Techniques:

• Stark Contrast: Light vs. darkness, freedom vs. tyranny
• Historical Perspective: Places current moment in broader context
• Inclusive Language: "Our" and "we" create unity
• Vivid Imagery: "Broad, sunlit uplands" vs. "abyss of a new Dark Age"
• Memorable Conclusion: The phrase "finest hour" became iconic

Historical Context: Delivered after the fall of France, when Britain stood alone against Nazi Germany. This speech helped steel British resolve during the nation's darkest hour.

Impact: The speech became a rallying cry for British resistance and is considered one of the greatest wartime speeches ever delivered. The phrase "their finest hour" entered the English language as a symbol of courage in adversity.

Lessons for Speakers:

1. Acknowledge difficult realities honestly
2. Paint a clear picture of what's at stake
3. Appeal to shared values and history
4. Create memorable phrases that capture your message
5. End with a call to action that inspires courage