Winston Churchill Honored by UM in 1946

On February 26, 1946, Winston Churchill received an honorary juris doctorate from the University of Miami in Roddy Burdine Stadium.

Cover: Winston Churchill walking to the podium to receive his honorary degree at Roddy Burdine Stadium on February 26, 1946. Courtesy of the Miami Daily News.

In the winter of 1946, Winston Churchill traveled to South Florida for much needed rest and relaxation after leading Great Britain during World War II. Once his party was voted out of office in the Summer of 1945, Churchill’s doctor recommended that, given that he was no longer prime minister, he should take some time away from England to focus on his health. He chose to travel to South Florida to stay with a friend on Miami Beach from January 16^th through the end of February.

It was during the six-week holiday that Winston Churchill was approached by Dr. Bowman Ashe, the president of the University of Miami, about the idea of receiving an honorary degree from the university. Winston, never shy about the opportunity to be honored, gladly agreed, which set into motion a big ceremony to present the former prime minister an honorary juris doctorate degree in front of a crowd of local dignitaries and adoring fans.

Figure 1: Churchill driving along Biscayne Boulevard in route to Roddy Burdine Stadium on February 26, 1946. Courtesy of the Miami Daily News.

On Tuesday, February 26, 1946, Winston Churchill traveled by convertible from Miami Beach to South Florida’s sports cathedral, then named Roddy Burdine Stadium, but renamed to the Orange Bowl in 1949. While traveling to the venue, policemen were at every intersection to facilitate the progress of Churchill’s motorcade. All the way to the stadium, throngs of people lined the streets to catch a glimpse of the former prime minister and to show their appreciation for the leadership he provided during Europe’s darkest hours of World War II. As fans shouted his name and applauded, Churchill responded with his traditional “V” for victory sign.

Figure 2: Aerial of Roddy Burdine Stadium on February 26, 1946. Courtesy of the Miami News Bureau.

For most of the morning, it appeared that there would be precipitation in the weather forecast. However, as soon as Churchill arrived at the stadium, the clouds looked less ominous, which provided a glimmer of hope that the rain would hold off. The former prime minister walked into Roddy Burdine Stadium to the ovation of an estimated mass of 17,500 spectators. Local newspapers reported that there would be close to 30,000 to witness Churchill’s honor and speech, but the weather forecast was to blame for why the crowd was smaller than expected.

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Dr. Bowman Ashe presented Churchill his honor as he uttered the words “by the powers invested in me, I confer on you (Churchill) the degree of honorary doctor of law.” Just as the president of the university completed his declaration, the sun broke through, as if it were planned by the event’s organizers.

As the convocation commenced, Winston read a prepared statement in only the manner that such a charismatic and historic figure could convey:

“In this manner, may knowledge and learning best be used to promote understanding and good-will throughout the world. I am surprised that in my later life I should become so experienced in taking degrees, when, as a schoolboy, I was so bad at passing examinations. In fact, one might almost say that no one ever passed so few examinations and received so many degrees.”

The speech went on to share the prime minister’s appreciation for the University of Miami for training many Royal Air Force pilots during the war years. After a lengthy and relaxing vacation in South Florida, Winston Churchill had a fond impression of the region, and his appreciation was conveyed in his speech.

Figure 3: Composite of Churchill walking to podium and a cartoon of him receiving his degree. Courtesy of the Miami Herald.

The event was followed by a special luncheon at the Surf Club where the Churchills were greeted by the 25 members of the University of Miami board of trustees, and some 200 additional guests. During his time in South Florida, Winston wrote a speech that he later delivered at Westminster College in Missouri at the request of President Harry Truman. This speech, written mostly in the Miami Beach residence of his friend, Colonel Frank Clarke, was titled the ‘Sinews of Peace.’ It was later referred to as the ‘Iron Curtain’ speech and is considered one of Churchill’s most consequential post-World War II speeches.

Click the play button to watch highlights of the ceremony and parts of Churchill’s speech.

Related Article:

• Winston Churchill’s South Florida Visit in 1946

Resources:

• Miami Daily News: “Pomp, Pageantry as Churchill is Honored”, February 26, 1946.

• Miami Daily News: “Churchill Receives U of Miami Degree”, February 26, 1946.

• Miami Herald: “Dr. Churchill”, February 26, 1946.

• Miami Daily News: “Luncheon Follows Address of Churchill”, February 26, 1946.

• Miami Daily News: “Text of Churchill’s Address at Stadium”, February 26, 1946.