5. Churchill addressed the American people via radio on Christmas Eve
In 1941, the National Christmas Tree was on the South Lawn of the White House. In those days the President lighted the tree on Christmas Eve to celebrate the holiday, rather than in mid-November to initiate the shopping season. Churchill accompanied the President for the ceremony, which was attended by approximately 20,000 guests who braved the cold to crowd onto the White House lawns. With the President and First Lady, as well as invited guests including Princess Marthe of Norway, Churchill listened to an invocation given by the rector of Catholic University, Joseph Corrigan. Then Roosevelt gave some brief remarks before introducing his guest, the British Prime Minister. Churchill, whose stirring speeches from London had long been well received in America, did not disappoint.
“Here in the midst of war, raging and roaring over all the lands and seas, creeping nearer to our hearts and our homes, here, amid all the tumult, we have tonight the peace of the spirit in each cottage home and in each generous heart”, he said. “…Let the children have their night of fun and laughter. Let the gifts of Father Christmas delight their play”. Churchill’s brief remarks ended the ceremony and the crowd dispersed from the White House lawns in silence. Churchill then returned to the residence, where with his secretaries he had established an office in the Lincoln study, just off what is now known as the Lincoln bedroom. There he resumed work on a speech to be delivered to a joint session of Congress on the day after Christmas, no doubt fueled by a large dose of his favorite whiskey.