A Toast to the Immortal Memory of Lord Admiral Nelson

The Immortal Memory Toast for Lord Admiral Nelson occurs every year on the Royal Navy Trafalgar Night. Trafalgar Night is celebrated around the anniversary of Nelson's death on October 21, 1805.

The toast has been proposed in memory of Admiral Lord Nelson since his death in 1805, for over 200 years.

In 2006 Trafalgar Night was held on October 17.

Earlier Version
The Toast to Admiral Nelson has always been short, but earlier versions were a few words longer. Captain John Pasco proposed a toast to

The immortal memory of Nelson and those who fell with him.

Another early versions of the toast is recalled as:

The Immortal Memory of Lord Nelson and then of those whom 'England expected (not in vain) that they would do their duty.'

Current Version
Those who fell with Nelson have not done too well with the later version. The current version of the toast has been shortened further to just:

The Immortal Memory

The Immortal Memory Toast is drunk in total silence, out of respect to the memory of the Admiral.

About Lord Admiral Nelson (1758 - 1805)
Horatio Nelson, or the 1st Viscount Nelson, is considered to be the greatest naval hero in the history of the United Kingdom, because of his participation in the Napoleonic Wars.

He lost his life on October 21, 1805 during the Battle of Trafalgar, after receiving a mortal bullet wound shot from the French ship, Redoutable.

Lord Nelson was famous during his lifetime, but since his death has been lionized like no other military figure in British history. He is commemorated in Trafalgar square in London with a triple-life-sized column, commemorating the admiral who died defeating Napoleon at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

More on Lord Admiral Nelson

• Lord Nelson - 200 Years Since Trafalgar - From About's Guide to United Kingdom and Ireland, Jane Dickerson
• The Battle of Trafalgar - From About's Guide to Military History, Robert W. Martin
• Trafalgar Square Sights - From About's Guide to London for Visitors, Laura Porter
• Nelson's Column - From About's Guide to London for Visitors, Laura Porter

More on the Immortal Toast, How to Propose Your Own and Robert Burns

• A Toast to the Immortal Memory and Propose Your Own
• A Toast to the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns

Sources:
National Maritime Museum. The Immortal Memory. Vice-Admiral Horatio, Lord Nelson. 2005. 5 December 2006. <http://www.seabritain2005.com/server.php?show=ConWebDoc.360>
Royal Naval Museum. Information Sheet NO. 109. Trafalgar Night Dinners. 2002. 5 December 2006. <http://www.royalnavalmuseum.org/info_sheet_trafnight.htm>
Government News Network. The Loyal Toast Live from HMS Victory on Trafalgar Night. 19 October 2005. 5 December 2006. http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/detail.asp?ReleaseID=174140&NewsAreaID=2