FDC European Parliament 2025 "W. CHURCHILL (1874-1965) Supporter of a United States of Europe" (PE825)

Winston Churchill, a proponent of a United States of Europe

Churchill, a former army officer, war correspondent, and British Prime Minister (1940-1945 and 1951-1955), was one of the first to call for the creation of a "United States of Europe."

The experience of the Second World War had convinced him that only a unified Europe could guarantee peace. His goal was to suppress, once and for all, the nationalist and belligerent passions of Europe.

He formulated the conclusions he had drawn from the lessons of history in his famous "Address to the Student Youth," delivered at the University of Zurich in 1946: "But there is a remedy: [...] within a few years Europe [...] would live free and happy." It consists of reconstituting the European family, or at least as much of it as possible, and then establishing a framework in which it can develop in peace, security, and freedom. We must build something like the United States of Europe.”

Thus, the man who had been the driving force behind the coalition against Hitler became an active advocate for the European cause.

Winston Churchill also made a name for himself in literature and painting; he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1953.

(source: European Commission)

A philatelic envelope, designed by Historiaphil© (Philately Kiosk of the European Parliament, Strasbourg, France) commemorates the highlights of the Strasbourg plenary session of the European Parliament. It was produced as a continuation of the collection of philatelic envelopes bearing witness since 1949 to the history of Europe and its institutions. Its edition is limited to 100 numbered copies.