Churchill became Prime Minister in a time of utter chaos in May 1940. The British Army was in headlong retreat that month and withdrew from France in a harrowing escape of their own at Dunkirk – leaving behind everything heavier than their rifles – mere weeks after Germany invaded. Churchill employed his powerful gift of oratory to keep Britain steadfast as it appeared the island nation would fall into a “thousand years of darkness” under Nazi rule. The speeches that would define his legacy were given in May and June of that year, proving indeed to be his finest hour.