Fulton in Callaway County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Winston Churchill's “Iron Curtain” Speech
Westminster College Gymnasium
5 March 1946
the Right Honorable
Winston Churchill
Wartime Prime Minister of
Great Britain
delivered his
"Iron Curtain" Speech
having been introduced by
Harry S. Truman
President of the
United States of America
Erected MCML
——————————
Westminster College Gymnasium
has been designated a
Registered National
Historic Landmark
under the provisions of the
Historic Sites Act of August 21, 1935
This site possesses exceptional value
in commemorating or illustrating
the history of the United States
U.S. Department of the Interior
National Park Service
1968
Erected 1950 by Westminster College.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Government & Politics • Landmarks • War, Cold . In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #33 Harry S. Truman, and the National Historic Landmarks series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is March 5, 1946.
Location. 38° 50.892′ N, 91° 57.36′ W. Marker is in Fulton, Missouri, in Callaway County. Marker is on C. F. Lampkin Drive, on the right when traveling south. Markers flank the entrance to the Historic Gymnasium, on the Westminster College Campus. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 501 Westminster Avenue, Fulton MO 65251, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. William Chrisman Swope Memorial Chapel (within shouting distance of this marker); Westminster Hall Threshold (within shouting distance of this marker); Westminster College Columns (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); President Robert L. D. Davidson (about 300 feet away); War Comes to Westminster College (about 500 feet away); Alpha Delta of Beta Theta Pi (about 600 feet away); The Berlin Wall (about 700 feet away); The National Winston Churchill Museum (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fulton.
Also see . . .
1. Churchill's "Iron Curtain" Speech Text. Excerpt:
From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic an iron curtain has descended across the Continent. Behind that line lie all the capitals of the ancient states of Central and Eastern Europe. Warsaw, Berlin, Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Belgrade, Bucharest and Sofia; all these famous cities and the populations around them lie in what I must call the Soviet sphere, and all are subject, in one form or another, not only to Soviet influence but to a very high and in some cases increasing measure of control from Moscow.(Submitted on November 25, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Short Video Highlighting Near-Term Effects of "Iron Curtain" Speech. (Submitted on November 25, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. The True Meaning of the Iron Curtain Speech - The Churchill Centre. 1986 speech by By Pamela C. Harriman. Excerpt:
Churchill was different from most political leaders in that he thought beyond the next election to the next generation. It was this sense of perspective which enabled him to persevere despite recurring disappointments in his public life. His moment of triumph did not come until he was 66, past the normal retirement age, and long after he had been written off. In its greatest trial, Britain found its greatest modern leader. Yet five years later, with the war won, he was defeated for reelection. He had the world’s honor and respect, but not his country’s vote.(Submitted on November 25, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
So it was that a year after that, President Truman invited Churchill – as prophet and not Prime Minister – to speak in Truman’s home state, at Westminster College – “a name,” as Churchill said, “somewhat familiar to me. “It was 5000 miles from the Parliament at Westminster to this midwestern college podium. And the speaker of the day brought with him one of the most famous speeches of all time, a speech which is so often cited as a text for our time.
4. National Churchill Museum, Fulton MO. (Submitted on November 25, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
5. Westminster College, Fulton MO. (Submitted on November 25, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 2, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 25, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,273 times since then and 157 times this year. It was the Marker of the Week February 27, 2022. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 25, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on February 26, 2022, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.