It seems even Winston Churchill can be the subject of misinformation.
“There has been a lot of mis- and disinformation about Winston Churchill recently,” New York Churchill Society President, Geoff Raicht told a gathering at Westchester Country Club on Nov. 14 to mark the 150th anniversary of the British prime minister’s birth. “But the fact is, he saved Western civilization from Nazi tyranny, and we live in freedom today because of him.”
The event, which featured live music, bow ties, and the aroma of hand-rolled cigars, included a keynote speech by Katherine Carter, author of “Churchill’s Citadel: Chartwell and the Gatherings Before the Storm.” Carter was the curator of Chartwell, Churchill’s private residence from 1922 until his death in 1965.
Thanks to award-winning performances by John Lithgow in “The Crown,” and Gary Oldman in “Darkest Hour,” there has been a renewed interest in Churchill and his character and accomplishments, according to board members.
Board member Claudia Hilbert said, “I think when people take time to read his record for themselves, they can appreciate that while he made mistakes early in his career, he was at his best when the world needed him most.”
Beginning in 2025, The Winston Churchill Society of New York, a nonprofit and local chapter of the International Churchill Society, will hold Churchill-inspired writing competitions for high school students and honor local leaders who exemplify Churchill’s values with a “Finest Hour” award.
Randolph Churchill, the former Prime Minister’s great-grandson, wrote a letter thanking the New York nonprofit for helping to keep Churchill’s memory alive.
“So here we are, 150 years after Churchill’s birth and almost 60 years after his death, and his contribution to history is still revered and his words continue to inspire generations around the world,” Churchill wrote.
