Winston Churchill's Iron Curtain speech reaches 80-year milestone

Marking the 80th anniversary of Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain" speech, also known as "The Sinews of Peace," historical reflections highlight the enduring relevance of his warnings regarding Russian threats.

In Devín, Slovakia, the site of a significant Cold War border crossing at the confluence of the Morava and Danube rivers, monuments honor the approximately 400 people killed while attempting to flee Czechoslovakia for Austria. The heavily fortified border once utilized barbed wire, dogs, and communist police to prevent escapes.

Churchill delivered his 1946 speech in Fulton, Missouri, at the invitation of U.S. President Harry Truman. At the time, Churchill was serving as the leader of the Opposition in Britain rather than Prime Minister.