July 29, 2026

Sir Winston Churchill- Honorary Citizen of the United States

On April 9, 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed an Act of Congress and a Presidential Proclamation making Sir Winston Churchill the first honorary citizen of the United States. To this day, Sir Winston is one of only eight people who have received this high honor.

Despite having an American mother, Sir Winston was not a U.S. citizen by birth. Prior to 1934, American law held that citizenship could not be passed down through the mother. During the Eisenhower administration, the idea of an honorary citizenship was proposed by journalist Kay Halle to recognize Sir Winston’s unparalleled contributions to victory in World War II and his lifelong advocacy for Anglo-American relations. At that time, Sir Winston himself rejected the idea; he though the award might be misconstrued due to US-British tensions arising from the Suez Crisis. However, Mrs. Halle visited the Churchills in 1962, at a time when US-British relations had improved. She “was given to understand by people close to him that the proposed American citizenship was now a central interest of his life.” A bill was proposed that year and passed during the Spring congressional session of 1963.

Due to health challenges, Sir Winston was unable to travel to America to attend President Kennedy’s signing ceremony. His son, Randolph, was his representative and expressed Sir Winston’s “solemn and heartfelt thanks.” The signed proclamation and the pen used by President Kennedy are part of the permanent historical collection of America’s National Churchill Museum in Fulton, Missouri.

Founded in 1776, Royal Brierley remains in business today and continues to produce beautifully handcrafted British crystal. In 1963, the company issued a wonderful hand-etched goblet to commemorate Sir Winston’s honorary US citizenship. The one shown here is number 244 from the small run of only 500 pieces. When considering the goblet was offered in both the United States and the United Kingdom, a run of 500 was indeed limited, ensuring today’s desirability and collectability. In 1933, Royal Brierley produced a substantially similar etched crystal goblet to celebrate President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s first inauguration. Although produced 30 years apart, the two goblets placed together make an impressive historical display. Please also be aware that upon Sir Winston’s death in 1965, Royal Brierley created a memorial goblet that looks very similar to both earlier goblets. While a handsome item, it is not as rare as the earlier pieces.