GREAT MEN
Of all the presidents in the history of the USA, George Washington is probably the one that Americans remember the best and with deepest affection.
His genius lay in his ability to recognize the truest aspirations of his people, to understand the problems they must confront together, and to provide leadership towards the future. It was so with Washington.
He spent his childhood on a plantation in Virginia (22.02.1732). When his father died George was 11 years old. He was left alone with his brothers and sisters in the care of his mother. He attended classes in a small country school, where he learned to read and to do sums in arithmetic. He didn`t get a good education and felt this lack all his life. When he was already a grown-up man he still made mistakes in spelling. But he made good progress in mathematics because he understood the importance of this science in his future career. From his early childhood George took a special interest in agriculture. He was a good rider and enjoyed visiting neighbouring plantations. He was a keen observer and learned all the secrets of growing tobacco and corn.
At the age of 15 the boy was greatly influenced by Lord Fairfax, his relative, who was a rich landowner. They became great friends. This old man took a liking to George and employed him to go over the mountains and measure the land and establish the boundary lines. The western territory was a wild, unsettled frontier. George had some knowledge of surveying and he did his work well. Besides, he got a rich life experience. He suffered a lot and worked hard. It made him a man of strong will power, very confident, smart and persistent.
At the age of 21 he began his military career and took an active part in the battles against the French and Indians and drove them from the boundaries. He often was in a fix, but thanks to his courage and wit always found a way out of it. He could stand up to all difficulties and misfortunes. No wonder he was greatly loved and respected by his contemporaries.
Politics and war became dominant in Washington`s life. George Washington began a long road to become the first president of the USA. He was the person to lead the country through the difficult period of the war against England.
In 1776 the thirteen American colonies started the war for their independence. It was George Washington who led the fight against the British rule.
Shortly after the war ended the people of all the colonies formed a new independent nation. George Washington saw the troubling times his Nation passed through and made the formation of the Union the main principle of his life. He was elected President twice because people recognized him as pre-eminent among his fellow-country men, they relied on him to guide them into the future. He is often called "the father of his country". He was, indeed, "First in war, first in peace and first in the hearts of his countrymen" These words belong to Henry Lee.
The Americans remember him and the aspirations, the hopes and the ideals that Washington held for the United States.
They honour his memory:
1 . The capital was named after him.
2 . There is Washington Monument in the centre of the capital.
3 . There is a state in the northwest - Washington.
4 . A picture of Washington is on every one-dollar bill.
5 . His birthday (February, 22nd) is celebrated as a public holiday on President's Day.
Of all the prime ministers in the history of Great Britain, Winston Churchill is probably the one that Englishmen remember the best and with deepest affection.
His genius lay in his ability to recognize the truest aspirations of his people, to understand the problems they must confront together, and to provide leadership towards the future. It was so with Churchill.
Winston Churchill was a great British statesman, public speaker and wartime leader - the person to lead the country through the difficult period of World War II. He saw the troubling times his Nation passed through. He was prime minister of Britain and his determination never to give in inspired and encouraged the British people even during the darkest and most difficult days of 1940-41. He distinguished himself by his patriotic splendid speeches that will always be remembered.
Winston Churchill came of a famous family. He belonged to the pinnacle of society. His forefathers were outstanding generals and politicians who played great roles in the political life of England. He got an excellent education: Winston attended Harrow School but he was much happier as a cadet.
In his youth he began his long way to become Prime Minister. At the age of 20 he had one purpose - to go into action. He achieved this purpose both as a soldier and as a newspaper correspondent in Cuba, India and the Sudan. His life was rich in impressions and sufferings. He took part in many battles, was even taken prisoner but he escaped, because he could stand up to all hardships and misfortunes.
In 1900 at the age of 26 he was elected Conservative Member of Parliament for Oldham, in Lancashire. In 1911 he became First Lord of the Admiralty, which meant that he was responsible for the royal navy. World War I was already threatening to break out and he spent much time and energy in making the navy strong and up-to-date. He was responsible for planning campaigns. He held several other government appointments. He had his own ideas about national and international problems, and these did not always agree with those of his party leaders. After Adolph Hitler came to power in 1933 Churchill saw that a war would come and tried hard to persuade the government and people of Great Britain to prepare for it.
His greatest period and his greatest efforts were still to come. In May 1940 Churchill was elected Prime Minister. He was sincere when he gave a straightforward explanation to parliament, "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat", but his aim was "Victory however long and hard the road may be". All the main political parties united in his government to form what is called a coalition. Always anxious to see things for himself, Churchill went among the armed forces, to visit factories, to see areas badly bombed. He made the famous V sing with his fingers to show his confidence and belief in victory. Churchill`s oratorical powers made people listen to him. His voice became just as familiar as his appearance because he often spoke over the radio. It was a firm voice full of courage. His voice encouraged not only the people of Great Britain but all those who had to listen to it secretly in the countries occupied by Germany.
Politics and war were dominant in Churchill`s life. He made a great contribution to building up what he called the "Grand Alliance" of Great Britain, the USA, and the USSR.
In 1946 he was awarded the Order of Merit, and his countrymen and foreign governments gave him their highest honours. He began to write his history of the war, travelled and made speeches in many countries. He had a passion for painting. This hobby often took him to the south of France and his farm in Kent.
Winston Churchill retired in 1964 and died in London on the 24th of January 1965. He was given a state funeral at which the Queen was chief mourner.
Winston Churchill was one of the great men of all ages. He will be remembered for his firm character and individualism, for his writing - the histories of both world wars and several other books including biographies of his father and of the first Duke of Marlborough - and for his speeches, as well as for his outstanding service to his country and to the cause of freedom everywhere.