Churchill delivered his “This was their finest hour” speech on 18 June 1940. He addressed the House of Commons as France’s defeat was imminent and Britain faced the possibility of fighting Nazi Germany largely alone.
The speech followed the evacuation of Allied troops from Dunkirk and the collapse of French resistance. Churchill explained why Britain had been unable to provide greater military assistance to France, while presenting the evacuation as the rescue of a large and valuable army rather than simply a retreat. He also argued that Britain’s determination might encourage the United States to provide greater support.
The speech is often confused with two nearby Churchill addresses. “Blood, toil, tears and sweat” was delivered on 13 May, shortly after he became prime minister, while “We shall fight on the beaches” came on 4 June. The 18 June speech concluded with Churchill’s famous prediction that, if the British Empire and Commonwealth endured, future generations would call this moment their finest hour.