On this day in 1955, Sir Winston Churchill resigned as prime minister of Britain due to his failing health. The resignation, announced from Buckingham Palace, followed a dinner party at 10 Downing Street the previous evening, which was attended by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Also present were a number of past prime ministers and government colleagues. The 80-year-old premier was replaced by Sir Anthony Eden, the day following the announcement. Having started his political career as a Conservative in 1900, by 1906 he had defected to the Liberal party. By the time he became prime minister in 1940 he was back in the Conservative party, and led the wartime Coalition Government during the second world war. Sir Winston Churchill, remembered as Britain's greatest wartime leader, remained a backbencher until 1964. He died on 24 January 1965, aged 90, at his London home at Hyde Park Gate. Sunday, 5 April 2009
Looking Back - Sir Winston Churchill Resigns
On this day in 1955, Sir Winston Churchill resigned as prime minister of Britain due to his failing health. The resignation, announced from Buckingham Palace, followed a dinner party at 10 Downing Street the previous evening, which was attended by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Also present were a number of past prime ministers and government colleagues. The 80-year-old premier was replaced by Sir Anthony Eden, the day following the announcement. Having started his political career as a Conservative in 1900, by 1906 he had defected to the Liberal party. By the time he became prime minister in 1940 he was back in the Conservative party, and led the wartime Coalition Government during the second world war. Sir Winston Churchill, remembered as Britain's greatest wartime leader, remained a backbencher until 1964. He died on 24 January 1965, aged 90, at his London home at Hyde Park Gate. 
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