Key Takeaways
- House Speaker Mike Johnson will become the first sitting U.S. Speaker to address the United Kingdom’s Parliament on January 20, in recognition of America’s 250th anniversary.
- The speech is part of the United States’ Semiquincentennial celebration, which marks 250 years of independence from Great Britain.
- Johnson’s visit follows a tradition of Congressional visits to the London body, including a 1976 ceremony where the British Parliament gifted a group of congressmembers a gold-embossed reprint of the Magna Carta.
- The U.S. and the U.K. have a long-standing relationship built on shared commitments to individual freedom, human dignity, and the rule of law.
Introduction to the Historic Speech
On January 20, House Speaker Mike Johnson will make history by becoming the first sitting U.S. Speaker to address the United Kingdom’s Parliament. This significant event is part of the United States’ Semiquincentennial celebration, which marks 250 years of independence from Great Britain. Johnson’s speech is a testament to the enduring relationship between the two nations, which have stood together as pillars of peace and security across generations. In a statement, Johnson expressed his enthusiasm for visiting one of the great shrines of democracy, where the principles that launched the long struggle for American liberty were debated and refined.
Historical Context of the U.S.-U.K. Relationship
The United States declared its independence from Great Britain in 1776 and formally broke from the British Empire at the end of the American Revolutionary War in 1783. Many U.S. Founding Fathers were born in North America, which was controlled by European monarchies at the time, but were heavily influenced by the writings of English Enlightenment thinker John Locke when crafting the country’s government. This shared heritage has played a significant role in shaping the relationship between the two nations. The U.S. and the U.K. have a long history of cooperation, built on their shared commitment to individual freedom, human dignity, and the rule of law.
A Tradition of Congressional Visits
Johnson’s speech follows a tradition of Congressional visits to the London body. During the American Bicentennial in 1976, the British Parliament gifted a group of congressmembers a gold-embossed reprint of the Magna Carta during a ceremony at Westminster Hall. This ceremony was a symbol of the strong bond between the two nations and their shared commitment to democratic values. The Magna Carta, which was signed in 1215, is considered one of the foundational documents of democracy and has had a significant influence on the development of constitutional law in both the U.S. and the U.K.
The Significance of the Speech
Johnson’s speech is a significant event in the Semiquincentennial celebration, which marks a major milestone in the history of the United States. The speech is an opportunity for Johnson to reflect on the shared values and principles that have guided the relationship between the U.S. and the U.K. over the past 250 years. In his statement, Johnson emphasized the importance of individual freedom, human dignity, and the rule of law, which he believes are the true sources of strength for both nations. The speech is also an opportunity for Johnson to look to the future and explore ways in which the two nations can continue to work together to promote peace, security, and prosperity.
The Invitation and Response
Johnson was invited to speak at the British Parliament by Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the Speaker of the House of Commons. Hoyle expressed his pleasure at continuing to mark the important occasion and acknowledge the enduring close relationship between the parliaments and people of the two nations. Hoyle noted that the U.K. Parliament is situated just miles away from where the cross-Atlantic relationship began over 400 years ago, and that the courage of the Founding Fathers, who set sail on the Mayflower for the New World, built a bridge and connections across the Atlantic that continue to this day. Johnson’s acceptance of the invitation is a testament to the strong bond between the two nations and their shared commitment to democratic values.
