Stunning retro pictures of Sir Winston Churchill have been released to mark National Churchill Day on April 9.
The holiday is celebrated each year to mark the occasion when Churchill was given an honorary US citizenship, the first time the award was granted.
The images show US President John F Kennedy reading the proclamation making Britain’s elder statesman, 88-year-old Churchill, an honorary US citizen at a White House ceremony on April 9, 1963.
Churchill (right) with US Ambassador to Britain David Bruce (left) looks through the proclamation making him an honorary US citizen at a presentation ceremony at his Hyde Park Gate home in London on April 10, 1963
President John Kennedy (center) reads the proclamation making Churchill an honorary US citizen at a White House ceremony on April 9, 1963
The document that made Churchill a US citizen, the first time the award had been granted
Sir Winston’s American Passport, which was presented by the US Ambassador to Britain
They also show the American passport presented to Churchill in London and Churchill and US Ambassador to Britain David Bruce looking through the proclamation.
Other striking shots show the World War II hero enjoying his retirement as he is pictured smoking one of his famous cigars during an outing in Monte Carlo, sitting in a wheelchair overlooking the sea during a visit to Cap D’Ail and enjoying an outing with his wife, Lady Clementine Churchill.
On April 9, 1963, a ceremony for honorary citizenship presided over by President John F. Kennedy, took place for Churchill.
Churchill leaves the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo on April 12, 1963
On the left, Churchill is greeted by Madame Moatti, wife of the Prefect of the Alpes Maritime Department, on his arrival to Nice Airport in France on April 12, 1963. On the right, Churchill returns to his home in London after his vacation in France on April 25, 1963
The former prime minister was not present at the ceremony, but his son and grandson were able to attend.
Honorary though his citizenship may be, Churchill can uniquely trace his roots back to Virginia by way of Brooklyn, New York.
His mother was American, Jennie Jerome. Her marriage to Lord Randolph Churchill produced two children: John Spencer and Winston.
Churchill takes in the view at Menton near Monaco on April 25, 1963
Churchill sits in his wheelchair overlooking the sea during a visit to Cap D’Ail on April 20, 1963
During an outing into the country around Monte Carlo, Sir Winston Churchill (center) alongside his granddaughter, Miss Celia Sandys (left), Mrs Montague Browne (right), wife of his secretary, and Churchill’s bodyguard (rear) on April 14, 1963
It was the first occasion in US history that an honorary citizenship was granted.
It has only been given seven other times since, and of those, six have been posthumous honors.
In 1996, the US granted Mother Teresa the only other honorary citizenship during a person’s lifetime.
Churchill tips his hat during a trip to Monaco on April 16, 1963
A dog makes friends with Churchill (right) during an outing to Cap D’Ail in France. The former PM is attended by his bodyguard, Mr Murray (left), on April 18, 1963
Churchill was born at Blenheim Palace, his family’s estate. After serving in the army, he entered parliament in 1900 and was appointed First Lord of the Admiralty in 1911.
Held responsible for the failure of the Dardanelles expedition, he resigned in 1915. He saw active service in World War I, before returning to ministerial office in 1917.
As Chancellor of the Exchequer, he returned Britain to the gold standard, which led to the General Strike of 1926.
He resigned in 1931, opposing his party’s policy of self-government for India.
He consistently opposed appeasement with Hitler, and challenged Neville Chamberlain’s leadership in 1940, succeeding him as prime minister to become Britain’s greatest war-time leader.
Lady Clementine Churchill (right) with Sir Winston Churchill (left) and their granddaughter, Miss Edwina Dixon (center), in the car to their Hyde Park Gate home on April 1, 1963