"We All Rejoice"

It was a warm little family ceremony that could have happened only in Britain's House of Commons. "In these days," said Prime Minister Clement Attlee, from the government front bench, "75 is not a venerable age. People seem to be able to continue for several decades after that--yet 75 does mark a distinct stage in one's life. I am sure that we all rejoice to see the right honorable gentleman in full health and activity, and wish him many more years."

Amid cheers and cries of "Hear! Hear!" a portly and cherubic figure rose from the opposition benches. His eyes were damp. "I most humbly express my thanks to the Prime Minister," rumbled 75-year-old Winston Churchill, "for the most kindly gesture which he has made to me. It brings home to me how far more great are all those sentiments which unite us than are the"--Churchill smiled and coughed --"still quite important matters which are so often the occasion of debate in this house and out of doors." As Churchill took his seat again, laughter and more cheers echoed through the chamber.

There were other good wishes for the greatest Briton of his time. Telegrams, letters and parcels poured in on him all day. Denmark's King Frederik and Queen Ingrid toasted him at a lunch in the Danish embassy, while in the streets outside a huge crowd greeted him with shouts of "Good old Winnie!" "His life," said London's Evening Standard, "is the most important individual strand in the weave of the 20th Century."

Meanwhile, hale & hearty Winston Churchill seemed prepared to go on clear into the 21st Century, if necessary. Said Winnie, who is fond of reminding rivals that Gladstone was Prime Minister at 82: "I never leave a pub before closing time."

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