This past Monday, May 10, Gordon Brown stepped down as Prime Minister of Britain, making room for David Cameron to take his place.

Seventy years ago to the day, Neville Chamberlin stepped down as Prime Minister of Britain (May 10, 1940), giving way for Winston Churchill to accept the office from King George VI.

Three days later (May 13), and seventy years ago today, Churchill delivered his first speech, as Prime Minister, to the House of Commons -  “Blood, Toil, Tears and Sweat” – arguably his most memorable speech.

Take five minutes to listen to the speech today.

On this, the 70th anniversary of the speech, it is worth noting that many of the people who are old enough to remember hearing Churchill, will not be alive to mark its 80th anniversary.

Here is the ending:

I would say to the House, as I said to those who have joined this government: “I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears and sweat.”

We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many long months of struggle and of suffering. You ask, what is our policy? I can say: It is to wage war, by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us; to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark, lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy. You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word: It is victory, victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory, however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival. Let that be realised; no survival for the British Empire, no survival for all that the British Empire has stood for, no survival for the urge and impulse of the ages, that mankind will move forward towards its goal. But I take up my task with buoyancy and hope. I feel sure that our cause will not be suffered to fail among men. At this time I feel entitled to claim the aid of all, and I say, “come then, let us go forward together with our united strength.”

If Churchill offered “blood, toil, tears and sweat,” what will David Cameron offer?