Edward VIII Announces His Abdication
On December 11, 1936, Edward VIII, king of Great Britain and Ireland, broadcasts his decision to renounce his throne. Because he insisted on marrying the twice-divorced American Wallis Simpson, Edward had no choice but to abdicate.
Related Speeches & Audio (10)
-
Edward VIII Announces His Abdication
Edward VIII Announces His AbdicationAudio Clip (5:14)
Audio Clip (5:14)
On December 11, 1936, Edward VIII, king of Great Britain and Ireland, broadcasts his decision to renounce his throne. Because he insisted on marrying the twice-divorced American Wallis Simpson, Edward had no choice but to abdicate.
-
Hong Kong Turnover Ceremony
Hong Kong Turnover CeremonyAudio Clip (2:48)
Audio Clip (2:48)
Live coverage of the ceremony proceedings on July, 1, 1997, captures the moment when British soldiers lower the Union Jack and the Hong Kong flag to the strains of "God Save the Queen," followed by the raising of China's red banner with five gold stars as the national anthem plays.
-
Britain's Prince Edward VIII on the Great Depression
Britain's Prince Edward VIII on the Great DepressionAudio Clip (2:19)
Audio Clip (2:19)
During the Great Depression, Edward, the eldest son of King George V, organized work programs for Britain's many unemployed. In a speech to his nation, Prince Edward appeals to its citizens to help one another through the hard times.
-
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.
-
Britain's Profumo Scandal
Britain's Profumo ScandalAudio Clip (0:30)
Audio Clip (0:30)
In 1963, a scandal gripped British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan's government when it was alleged that his secretary of war, John Profumo, engaged in an affair with 19-year-old Christine Keeler, who was also having an affair with an attache at the Soviet Embassy. A news report describes the outcome following the release of the official report on the scandal.
-
De Valera Observes Anniversary of Easter Rising
De Valera Observes Anniversary of Easter RisingAudio Clip (0:34)
Audio Clip (0:34)
Born in New York City in 1882, Eamon de Valera emigrated to Ireland as a child and participated in the Easter Rising against British rule, which began in Dublin on Easter Sunday, April 24, 1916. De Valera was sentenced to death for his participation in the rebellion but escaped execution because of his American birth. In a speech delivered on the anniversary, De Valera recounts the events of the protest.
-
Reagan Addresses British Parliament
Reagan Addresses British ParliamentAudio Clip (0:17)
Audio Clip (0:17)
On June 8, 1982, in the first speech by an American president to a meeting of both houses of the British Parliament, President Ronald Reagan presents his hope for a future that would "leave Marxism-Leninism on the ash heap of history."
-
Chamberlain Secures Peace in Our Time
Chamberlain Secures Peace in Our TimeAudio Clip (1:07)
Audio Clip (1:07)
Seeking to avoid war in Europe, leaders from Britain, France and Italy signed the Munich Pact on September 29, 1938, agreeing to Hitler's demands and ceding Czechoslovakia to Germany. Upon his return to England the following day, the architect of the appeasement policy, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, declares "peace in our time."
-
English Princesses Address British Children During World War II
English Princesses Address British Children During World War IIAudio Clip (0:42)
Audio Clip (0:42)
In a radio address on October 13, 1940, the young Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret offer words of courage to British children who had been evacuated from Great Britain while their country was at war.
-
Eisenhower Returns From Cancelled Summit Meeting
Eisenhower Returns From Cancelled Summit MeetingAudio Clip (4:19)
Audio Clip (4:19)
On May 1, 1960, an American U-2 high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft was shot down over central Russia. As a result, the Paris Summit Conference, scheduled 13 days later, collapsed. Upon his return from the failed conference on May 20, President Eisenhower addresses the welcoming crowd at Andrews Air Force Base.
Related Videos (10)
-
Ask HISTORY: Did all the founding fathers wear wigs?
Ask HISTORY: Did all the founding fathers wear wigs?Video Clip (2:17)
Video Clip (2:17)
Did America's creators really hide their hair under white toupees? Get the answer now.
-
History Rewind: Coronation of Elizabeth II, 1953
History Rewind: Coronation of Elizabeth II, 1953Video Clip (3:13)
Video Clip (3:13)
In a History Rewind video, on Coronation Day, a glittering spectacle in London is witnesses by millions. In the procession, Britain's prime minister Sir Winston Churchill is present, having served five monarchs.
-
John F. Kennedy and the TVA
John F. Kennedy and the TVAVideo Clip (1:24)
Video Clip (1:24)
President Kennedy is forced to improvise a stump speech in Tennessee, after discovering that his speech didn't make the trip.
-
Eisenhower Defeats Stevenson
Eisenhower Defeats StevensonVideo Clip (1:51)
Video Clip (1:51)
Eisenhower defeats Adlai Stevenson to become the 33rd President.
-
Republicans Nominate Eisenhower
Republicans Nominate EisenhowerVideo Clip (2:18)
Video Clip (2:18)
Watch as General Dwight D. Eisenhower becomes the Republican nominee for President, in this History Channel video. He adds Richard Nixon as his running mate in this presidential race. Nixon was the youngest VP candidate in history.
-
Kennedy's Summation
Kennedy's SummationVideo Clip (2:48)
Video Clip (2:48)
This John F. Kennedy vs. Richard Nixon 1960 presidential debate History Channel video shows Senator Kennedy speaking about the importance of the Social Security Act of 1935 and now was the time to do something for elderly medical care.
-
Kennedy on His Qualifications
Kennedy on His QualificationsVideo Clip (1:17)
Video Clip (1:17)
See President John F. Kennedy respond to Richard Nixon's accusations that he is immature and ill-qualified to be President of the United States in this debate video. Kennedy explains how they both came to Congress in 1946.
-
Kennedy on 'Extreme' Bills
Kennedy on 'Extreme' BillsVideo Clip (1:24)
Video Clip (1:24)
Senator John F. Kennedy debates that none of the bills proposed by Nixon were extreme like Nixon was suggesting. Kennedy uses Nixon's proposals of $1.25 an hour plan, federal aid to education, and medical care for the aged to prove his point.
-
Nixon's Summation
Nixon's SummationVideo Clip (3:19)
Video Clip (3:19)
Listen to the important issues in 1960 in this History Channel video of one of the first televised debates, which took place between Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy. The video shows Nixon stating his views from the Soviet Union to health insurance.
-
Nixon's Opening Statement
Nixon's Opening StatementVideo Clip (2:34)
Video Clip (2:34)
In his opening statement during the first of four "Great Debates" between the two candidates in 1960, Richard Nixon agrees with John F. Kennedy's view of international affairs but disputes the notion that the country's growth has been stagnant.
Related Photo Galleries (1)
-
French Revolution
French Revolution(9 Photos)
9 Photos
The French Revolution
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
-
Ben Franklin DVD
The Ben Franklin DVD is a revealing yet informal History Channelâ„¢ presentation, the real man behind the myth is finally brought to light.
$19.99
Buy Now
Email Updates
Keep up with the latest History shows, online features, special offers and more.
Sign up






