Churchill Prepares for German Invasion of Britain
On the final day of the evacuation of Dunkirk, June 4, 1940, Prime Minister Winston Churchill speaks before the House of Commons, triumphant over the rescue of 338,226 Allied troops from advancing German forces. In the address he warns the nation to expect a German invasion and defiantly declares that Hitler's troops will meet an enemy prepared to "defend our island whatever the cost may be."
Related Speeches & Audio (10)
-
Churchill Prepares for German Invasion of Britain
Churchill Prepares for German Invasion of BritainAudio Clip (0:21)
Audio Clip (0:21)
On the final day of the evacuation of Dunkirk, June 4, 1940, Prime Minister Winston Churchill speaks before the House of Commons, triumphant over the rescue of 338,226 Allied troops from advancing German forces. In the address he warns the nation to expect a German invasion and defiantly declares that Hitler's troops will meet an enemy prepared to "defend our island whatever the cost may be."
-
Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1941 Labor Day Speech
Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1941 Labor Day SpeechAudio Clip (1:37)
Audio Clip (1:37)
In his Labor Day radio broadcast in 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt reminds his fellow citizens of the need to devote America’s industrial effort to building weaponry in order to "crush Hitler and his Nazi forces."
-
Franklin D. Roosevelt on American Progress in World War II
Franklin D. Roosevelt on American Progress in World War IIAudio Clip (1:00)
Audio Clip (1:00)
With the United States now entered into World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt uses the occasion of Washington’s birthday to broadcast to the nation on February 23, 1942, an outline of America’s progress in the war.
-
Franklin D. Roosevelt's Fourth of July Address
Franklin D. Roosevelt's Fourth of July AddressAudio Clip (2:07)
Audio Clip (2:07)
In a broadcast from his home in Hyde Park, New York, on July 4, 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt warns Americans who wish not to get involved in the war that "the United States will never survive as a happy and fertile oasis of liberty surrounded by a cruel desert of dictatorship."
-
King George VI's Empire Day Address
King George VI's Empire Day AddressAudio Clip (3:28)
Audio Clip (3:28)
In an address delivered on Empire Day, May 24, 1940, King George VI describes Adolf Hitler's intention to conquer not only the British empire but also the world.
-
Franklin D. Roosevelt Reports on Teheran and Cairo Conferences
Franklin D. Roosevelt Reports on Teheran and Cairo ConferencesAudio Clip (2:36)
Audio Clip (2:36)
Following the 1943 Big Four meetings in Teheran and Cairo, President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers a Christmas Eve broadcast promising the nation that they can look forward to peace, though at a high cost.
-
Truman Announces Germany's Surrender
Truman Announces Germany's SurrenderAudio Clip (2:04)
Audio Clip (2:04)
In a May 8, 1945, radio broadcast, President Harry Truman announces the unconditional surrender of Germany, but reminds Americans that the war wages on in the Far East.
-
Franklin D. Roosevelt's Fourth Inaugural Address
Franklin D. Roosevelt's Fourth Inaugural AddressAudio Clip (6:22)
Audio Clip (6:22)
With the country at war at the start of his unprecedented fourth term as president of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers a short and somber inaugural address at a simple ceremony without a parade or ball on January 20, 1945.
-
Truman Announces Japan's Surrender
Truman Announces Japan's SurrenderAudio Clip (1:57)
Audio Clip (1:57)
On September 1, 1945, in a radio address to the American people, President Harry Truman announces the unconditional surrender of Japan, formalized aboard the U.S.S. Missouri.
-
Stanley Baldwin on the Impending World War
Stanley Baldwin on the Impending World WarAudio Clip (1:48)
Audio Clip (1:48)
Former British Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin visited New York four months prior to the outbreak of World War II to discuss the international situation. He describes the British Empire's diminishing influence as a world power.
Related Videos (10)
-
Friend or Enemy?
Friend or Enemy?Video Clip (2:09)
Video Clip (2:09)
During WWII, American soldiers were sometimes met by friendly German civilians and Russian allies.
-
The Christmas Truce
The Christmas TruceVideo Clip (2:15)
Video Clip (2:15)
During WWII soldiers from opposing sides laid down their guns and celebrated Christmas together.
-
Foo Fighters
Foo FightersVideo Clip (3:25)
Video Clip (3:25)
Did Nazi Germany use alien technology to disrupt allied bombers during WWII?
-
North Africa Campaign
North Africa CampaignVideo Clip (1:41)
Video Clip (1:41)
After Italy declares war, the Allies fight the Axis powers in North Africa for control of the Mediterranean.
-
Rockie Blunt
Rockie BluntVideo Clip (2:05)
Video Clip (2:05)
Born in 1925 in Worcester, Massachusetts, Army Infantryman Rockie Blunt battled his way across Europe and into the heart of Hitler's Third Reich. What he saw and experienced during the war continues to impact his life today, over 60 years later.
-
Focke Wulf 190 Fighter Plane
Focke Wulf 190 Fighter PlaneVideo Clip (1:31)
Video Clip (1:31)
What features of the Focke Wulf 190 multipurpose fighter plane made it a superior dogfighter for the Luftwaffe?
-
World War II Tanks
World War II TanksVideo Clip (3:16)
Video Clip (3:16)
Armored tanks provided extra firepower and mobility during World War II.
-
D-Day Documented by Newsreel Cameras
D-Day Documented by Newsreel CamerasVideo Clip (8:56)
Video Clip (8:56)
Footage of the historic D-Day invasion from the United News. The best known D-Day is June 6, 1944 the day on which the Invasion of Normandy began. This video clip is courtesy of The History Channel.
-
Gustav: World's Biggest Gun
Gustav: World's Biggest GunVideo Clip (2:09)
Video Clip (2:09)
In a Mail Call video, R. Lee Ermey answers a question from Tom of Kansas, who wants to know what is the biggest gun in the world. Ermey says to answer this question you first have to define what you mean by big.
-
Bombing Hamburg
Bombing HamburgVideo Clip (1:35)
Video Clip (1:35)
During World War II, especially in 1943, Hamburg was severely damaged by aerial bombardment, and some 55,000 persons were killed.
Related Photo Galleries (1)
-
Voices of D-Day
Voices of D-Day(9 Photos)
9 Photos
Our most powerful and genuine accounts of D-Day come from the veterans who live through this momentous piece of history.
Most Popular Videos on History.com
-
America Divided
(3:54)
-
Caroline Dries: NYU Dorm
(3:26)
Newest Videos on History.com
-
Vietnam in HD Preview
(2:00)
-
Two For the Road
(1:48)
-
HISTORY says Thanks
(2:47)
Shop HISTORY
-
WWII in HD DVD Set
The only people to see the war like this were the ones who lived it. Until now… Own this best-selling series today!
$14.99
Buy Now -
Battle of Britain DVD
Surprising new facts are uncovered in this fresh reconsideration of the first major battle to be fought entirely in the air.
$19.99
Buy Now -
WWII in HD DVD SET
The only people to see the war like this were the ones who lived it. Until now…
Email Updates
Keep up with the latest History shows, online features, special offers and more.
Sign up






