The morning was overcast. But the all the predictions of frigid temperatures were wrong. All of Jefferson City waited--some twenty thousand spectators--along 19 blocks of downtown Jefferson City for the arrival of some very special guests. A reception committee waited on the platform of the main depot for the arrival of the presidential train. The reception committee included Governor Donnelly, Mayor Owens, Franc McCluer and representatives of the Missouri Legislature. At 11:20 A.M. the presidential train rounded the curve from the east and slowed to a stop. Spectators began pointing and shouting as President Truman and his special guest were seen through the passenger windows. Sir Winston Churchill had arrived in Jefferson City!

"When the signal was given, Admiral Leahy appeared on the platform, quickly followed by the President, Mr. Churchill and other members of the party. Gov. Donnelly, Mr. McCluer and Admiral Leahy occupied the front seat of the auto with President Truman and his famed guest in the rear seat" (News Tribune, March 5, 1946). The motorcade proceeded slowly up Monroe Street, turned left unto Capitol Avenue, right on Marshall Street, and right again unto High Street where thousands cheered waving flags and banners.

"Mr. Churchill was attired in a somber black suit with a black fedora. The president wore a light blue hat and double breasted, gray checkered suit" (News Tribune). Mr. Churchill waved and smiled as he chewed his trademark cigar. Some of the spectators believed that this was his finest hour!

The Churchill entourage was on its way to Fulton, Missouri, a small town northeast of Jefferson City, where later that day the former Prime Minister of Great Britain delivered a speech to thousands gathered at Westminster College. For citizens of Jefferson City, March 5, 1946 is an historic day--the day Sir Winston Churchill visited our city. But for citizens of the world, March 5, 1946 will be remembered for something else. Tensions were growing between East and West. The Soviet Union was solidifying its hold on eastern Europe; and for the first time that afternoon, Sir Winston Churchill used a phrase which had a "ring of truth" to millions in the democratic West. He warned that the Soviets were causing an "Iron Curtain" to descend across Europe. Some historians say that the "Cold War" began that day.