The Churchill Series - Dec. 6, 2005

(One of a series of daily posts on the life of Winston S. Churchill.)

On Dec. 6, 1923, Churchill lost his seat in the General Election of that year. Many said the defeat marked the end of his political career.

It didn't, of course, and 18 years later to the day found him Prime Minister.

On that Dec.6, 1941, Churchill was spending a quiet weekend in the country with the American Ambassador John Winant and President Roosevelt's aide, Averall Harriman, who was charged with overseeing the delivery of military and other supplies from the then still officially neutral United States to Britain and Russia.

The three men would naturally discuss the supply delivery situation. They would also listen for any news of the talks going on in Washington between the Japanese and American governments aimed at avoiding a war between the two countries.

When they went to bed that evening, nothing significant had been reported from Washington.
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Martin Gilbert, Churchill: A Life