Today was Margaret Thatcher's memorial service at Saint Paul's Cathedral. Luckily, I was able to run away from work for a bit to see the procession up to Saint Paul's. It was incredible to see how many people gathered to say goodbye to this incredible woman.Margaret Thatcher was born on October 13, 1925 in Grantham, Lincolnshire. She attended Oxford University where she studied to be a research chemist and later she became a barrister. In 1959 she joined the Conservative party and in 1979 she became a Member of Parliament.
In foreign affairs, Thatcher cultivated a close political and personal relationship with US president Ronald Reagan, based on a common mistrust of communism, combined with free-market economic ideology. Thatcher was nicknamed the 'Iron Lady' by the Soviets because of her ability to stand strong for what she knew to be true and right.In the 1987 general election, Thatcher won an unprecedented third term in office. But controversial policies, including the poll tax and her opposition to any closer integration with Europe, produced divisions within the Conservative Party which led to a leadership challenge. In November 1990, she agreed to resign and was succeeded as party leader and prime minister by John Major.In 1992, Thatcher left the House of Commons.
She was appointed a peeress in the House of Lords with the title of Baroness Thatcher of Kesteven and continued giving speeches and lectures across the world. She also founded the Thatcher Foundation, which aimed to advance the cause of political and economic freedom, particularly in the newly liberated countries of central and eastern Europe. In 1995 she became a member of the Order of the Garter, the highest order of knighthood in England.In 2002, after a series of minor strokes, Baroness Thatcher retired from public speaking. She died of a stroke on April 8, 2013, at the age of 87.
It was an honor to be able to pay my respects to Mrs. Thatcher as her casket passed me on the street. With all of the negativity that surrounded Mrs. Thatcher's death, it really touched me to see how many people went out of their way to show respect to her memory.
In speaking with some of the people who were in the crowd with me, it was incredible to hear the memories that some of the people had. I was probably one of the younger people gathered in the crowd, and the reactions of the people who really remembered her time as Prime Minister were truly mourning the passing of a great lady.
In speaking with some of the people who were in the crowd with me, it was incredible to hear the memories that some of the people had. I was probably one of the younger people gathered in the crowd, and the reactions of the people who really remembered her time as Prime Minister were truly mourning the passing of a great lady.
I feel blessed to have been able to spend my morning paying respects to this remarkable lady who stood for what she believed and who truly changed the United Kingdom and helped to make it what it is today. And I feel particularly blessed that back on June 8, 2004 I was also able to pay my respects to another important political figure, President Ronald W. Reagan.
To have shown my appreciation for both of these incredible leaders who fought to rid the world of evil is truly amazing. I bet not many people can say they paid their respects to both of them!
Information about Mrs. Thatcher was found at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/people/margaret_thatcher
No comments