50 Years Ago Today
CHURCHILL RETURNS: London, 26 – After an absence from power for six years and two months (…) Winston Churchill yesterday resumed responsibility for the fate of Great Britain. After a dramatic all-night vigil while watching the results of the silent battle being waged as the votes were counted, his victory was assured in the early morning hours. As Churchill experienced the satisfaction of resuming power and redressing what for him had been an injustice in 1945, the Father of Victory was officially summoned by the king (George VI) to receive a mandate to form a government. Churchill was deeply moved on receiving the invitation from Buckingham Palace. His eyes filled with tears, as he addressed a few words to his close associates: We are facing difficult times, but I have no hesitation in reminding you that we have faced worse times during the war. I have no doubt that we will overcome our difficulties (…), he said. (…) At that point he stopped, unable to continue. His associates looked on as as he wept. (…) According to an announcement from Buckingham Palace, Winston Churchill has accepted the mandate to form a government.
