The Appeal of 18 June was the first speech made by Charles de Gaulle after his arrival in London in 1940 following the Battle of France. Broadcast to France by the radio services of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), it is often considered to have marked the beginning of the French Resistance in World War II. It is regarded as one of the most important speeches in French history. In spite of its significance in French collective memory, historians have shown that the appeal was heard only by a minority of French people. De Gaulle's 22 June 1940 speech was more widely heard. The historic importance of these radio broadcasts and de Gaulle's future status as the emblem of the French resistance gave de Gaulle the nickname L'Homme du 18 juin.

1940The "Finest Hour" speech is delivered by Winston Churchill.^[†]

"This was their finest hour" was a speech delivered by Winston Churchill to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom on 18 June 1940, just over a month after he took over as Prime Minister at the head of an all-party coalition government.

Headlines from June 18, 1940

French Liner Sails Under the British Flag; Queen Elizabeth Fueled, Plan to Go Denied

Naval Engagement Reported

NAZIS INVITE SPAIN TO PEACE PARLEYS; Franco Is Expected to Push His Claim to French Morocco as Share in Spoils

BRITISH FOR A UNION; Plan to Weld 2 Empires Was a Last-Minute Offer to France CHURCHILL DEFIANT Says Empire Will Fight Till 'Curse of Hitler' Is Lifted From Men

LONDON ADVOCATES ANTI-HITLER PLANK; PREPARING FOR OPENING OF THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION

Historical Events