Winston Churchill is considered one of history’s most outstanding leaders and statesmen. Serving as the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during World War II, he is credited for playing a crucial role in the win of the Allies against the Axis as well as rebuilding the UK after the war ended. You probably know a lot about Churchill and his accomplishments already, but there are some interesting facts about him that you might not be familiar with. Let’s check them out below.
Churchill Was Accepted to Military School in His Third Attempt
Churchill’s military experience and expertise helped him greatly in his role as a Prime Minister during wartime. However, his military career almost didn’t happen. As it turns out, Churchill failed the entrance exam twice before making it to the Royal Military College on his third attempt.
Churchill Once Escaped From a South African Prison
In 1899, Churchill was sent on a mission to South Africa, where Britain fought the Boers, the descendants of Dutch, German, and Huguenot settlers. He was quickly captured by the Boers, who ambushed an armed train he was traveling with, and taken to prison. Churchill ended up breaking out of prison after several days and, despite having no map, food, or water, found his way to the house of an English coal manager, who helped him to safety.
Churchill Was the First Honorary Citizen of the United States
Churchill was granted the first honorary citizenship in the history of the United States in 1963. After him, only seven other people received the honor. Curiously, Churchill also could have received citizenship in the traditional way, considering his mother was an American.
Churchill Won a Nobel Prize for Literature
Besides being a famous statesman, Churchill was also an accomplished author. In fact, he was so good at writing that he received a Nobel Prize for Literature in 1953 for his “mastery of historical and biographical description as well as for his brilliant oratory in defending exalted human values.”