13 January 1992 Japan Admits to Sex Slavery in WWII

On this date in history 1992, Japan admits to forcing tens of thousands of Korean women to serve as sex slaves for Japanese soldiers during World War II. 


For more information:

• Former South Korean Sex Slaves Recall Humiliation, Brutality
• Japanese Officer Admits Coercive Sex Slave Trade
• Japanese Prisoner of War Interrogation on Prostitution
• US Congressional Resolution Calls on Japan to Accept Responsibility for Wartime Comfort Women
• The Politics of Apology for Japan's "Comfort Women"

Search Amazon.com for comfort women wwii

WWII History In Art

I received this in an email and thought I'd share it with you.  You can go to the column on your right and scroll down to the music player and turn off the blogs music so you can hear this video.

This video shows the winner of 2009's " Ukraine 's Got Talent", Kseniya Simonova, 24, drawing a series of pictures on an illuminated sand table showing how ordinary people were affected by the German invasion during World War II. Her talent, which admittedly is a strange one, is mesmeric to watch.The images, projected onto a large screen, moved many in the audience to tears and she won the top prize of about $75,000.

She begins by creating a scene showing a couple sitting holding hands on a bench under a starry sky, but then warplanes appear and the happy scene is obliterated.

It is replaced by a woman's face crying, but then a baby arrives and the woman smiles again. Once again war returns and Miss Simonova throws the sand into chaos from which a young woman's face appears.

She quickly becomes  an old widow, her face wrinkled and sad, before the image turns into a monument to an Unknown Soldier.

This outdoor scene becomes framed by a window as if the viewer is looking out on the monument from within a house.

In the final scene, a mother and child appear inside and a man standing outside, with his hands pressed against the glass, saying goodbye.

The Great Patriotic War, as it is called in Ukraine , resulted in one in four of the population being killed with eight to 11 million deaths out of a population of 42 million.

An art critic said:"I find it difficult enough to create art using paper and pencils or

paintbrushes, but using sand and fingers is beyond me. The art, especially when the war is used as the subject matter, even brings some audience members to tears. And there's surely no bigger compliment."

Just Before Midnight, 28 Feb 1942, USS Houston CA 30 Engages Japanese ...

On February 28, the USS Houston CA30 and the HMAS Perth proceeded to the port of Batavia in western Java, and partially refueled before attempting that night to pass through Sunda Strait in an effort to reach the safer waters of the Indian Ocean. As they approached the entrance to the strait near midnight, they unexpectedly encountered a Japanese covering force of nearly one dozen destroyers, three cruisers, and numerous torpedo boats and minesweepers that were protecting the invasion fleet. In the ensuing Battle of Sunda Strait, the Houston and Perth both aggressively fired at the attacking Japanese ships at close range, but, outnumbered and outgunned, they were no match for the enemy forces that completely surrounded them. Four torpedoes sealed the fate of the Perth shortly after midnight. Soon after, the first torpedo struck the Houston, and another Japanese shell destroyed her number two eight-inch turret, at which point Captain Rooks gave the order to abandon ship.
Tragically, one of the incoming Japanese shells struck a gun mount, killing Captain Rooks. The abandon ship order was countermanded and the Houston continued to fight, now alone against the Japanese fleet. She managed to hit three destroyers and sink a minesweeper before three more torpedoes ripped into the ship.
Hit by four torpedoes and listing to starboard, the Houston was doomed. The Japanese turned on their searchlights and continued to blast the ship. Captain Rooks and the majority of the crew were already dead. As a second order was given to abandon ship, the remaining crew members jumped over the sides, then began swimming furiously away from the suction of the sinking ship.
In the water, Japanese torpedo boats were machine gunning escaping sailors. Those who could avoid the gunfire began swimming through the dark, oil-coated water towards the Java shore, many miles away. Terrible as the experience of the last few days had been, their ordeal was just beginning.  (Information from University of Houston Special Collection).


When I was in college, I wrote my thesis on the sinking of this ship and the heroic crew.  The ship was substandard and the men did the best they could.  I was fortunate to attend a reunion/ memorial ceremony in 2002 and again in 2003.  The survivors I spoke with were friendly and more than happy to answer my questions. A bit of trivia, their experiences as POWs of the Japanese were used for the movie Bridge on River Kwai.

On 18Feb1943 White Rose Leaders Arrested

• On this day,February 18, in 1943:
  Nazis arrest White Rose resistance leaders--Hans Scholl and his sister Sophie, along with their best friend, Christoph Probst(see photo). The White Rose was a student resistance group in Germany. Many of the members had been part of Hitler's Youth but had become disillusioned when the Nazi's true agenda became apparent. Visit the Jewish Virtual Library to read an article about this group.
• Crochet update: I've been working a little on my rr afghan but took a break from it to finish making the granny squares for a lapghan I've been making for charity. I finished the squares and have started to sew them together--my least favorite crochet chore.
• I thought it was about time I made a history entry in here. I like to put down a little entry and include a reputable link for my readers to go for more information. I hope you have enjoyed today's entry. Hugs...

08-05-2008 USS Houston CA30 Sunk During WWII

I was honored to meet and correspond with some of the survivors from the USS Houston back in 2002. I wrote my college thesis on the heroes of this ship wreck. The ones I met were humble men and surprisingly did not hold a grudge against their captors. Back in 2002, the survivors received back pay from the advancements they were eligible for during their captivity. These pay raises were in WWII dollars without interest being paid. I have a cousin (once removed) and her half-brother was killed in the Battle of Makassar Strait the previous month. Anyway, before you watch this video, scan over to the music player and turn the music off so that you can hear this video without interference.

For more information

• visit the USS Houston Organization at http://www.usshouston.org/
• Or a blog http://usshouston.blogspot.com/
• University of Houston special collection http://info.lib.uh.edu/sca/digital/cruiser/cruiserh.htm
• Dive team http://www.usshoustondive.com/Dive%20Team.htm

Enjoy...

08-03-2008 History: Gas Rationing Starts This Day in 1941

On 03 August 1941, gas rationing begins in the eastern states. A nation-wide rationing of gas began in December 1942. This is an interesting topic to read about with modern day gas prices becoming more and more expensive. A short, interesting article about gas-rationing during WWII can be found at http://www.bookrags.com/research/gas-rationing-ahwt-01/. A good online article about WWII rationing with lots of photos is at http://www.ameshistoricalsociety.org/exhibits/events/rationing.htm . Enjoy!

Entry for March 02, 2008

Entry for March 02, 2008

I am actually a day late posting this entry. On March 1st, 1942, the USS Houston CA -30 was sunk by the Japanese. I have a great interest in this battle. As a matter of fact, when I was in college, I wrote my senior thesis on this subject. Go to here to see a website sponsored by the survivors, their families, and other interested parties. It is a very informative site. The survivors went through hell for several years and treatment by the Japanese captors was an extreme example of inhumanity. Our men were starved, beaten, overworked, denied medical care, and murdered. These POWs were the ones whose experiences the movie Bridge on River Kwai was based on. Please visit their site for more information.
Photo from http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/ships/cruisers/history/cghist4.html

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for February 23, 2008

Entry for February 23, 2008

On this day in history 1945 the United States raised the American flag on Iwo Jima. There were actually 2 flag raisings. The famous picture was actually taken of the second flag raising later that day by Joe Rosenthal of the Associated Press. The first flag raising was of a smaller flag. To take a look at the time line of this battle go here .

The American boys had killed about 21,000 Japanese, but suffered more than 26,000 casualties doing so. This would be the only battle in the Pacific where the invaders suffered higher casualties than the defenders
The Marines fought in World War II for forty-three months. Yet in one month on Iwo Jima, one third of their total deaths occurred. They left behind the Pacific's largest cemeteries: nearly 6,800 graves in all; mounds with their crosses and stars. Thousands of families would not have the solace of a body to bid farewell just the abstract information that the Marine had 'died in the performance of his duty' and was buried in a plot, aligned in a row the numbers on his grave...
Bradley, James. Flags of Our Fathers (New York: Bantam Books, 2000), pp 246-247.

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for December 10, 2007

Entry for December 10, 2007

With our troops facing another Christmas separated from their families and in a hostile land; I think it is time to look at other wars and other instances of our men celebrating Christmas. If you go here you will see some photos of WWII Christmases overseas. Here are some more links about Christmas for our troops in WWII: http://www.ww2gyrene.org/xmas_page.htm Also, go to this next link to read about the movie Silent Night. This movie is based on a true event during WWII when a few German and American soldiers were able to put aside their differences and celebrate the holiday with a German woman and her child in a small hunting cabin. I just saw this movie and it is EXCELLENT!
http://www.hallmarkchannel.com/publish/pr/home/shows/silent_night/features/si...

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for August 25, 2007

Entry for August 25, 2007

It's been a while since I've been online. Too much going on in my life. I'm back to substitute teaching. The kids can sure wear me out sometimes! We're in the middle of a heat wave down here in KY and we need rain desperately...all my flowers are dying. Anyway, I wanted to post a link to a pattern for a small dog sweater made on a knitting loom. So here it is: http://www.knitting-n-crochet.com/free-patterns-knitting.html. There is a cute sweater to crochet for a little dog too.

On this day in history 1944 Paris was released from Nazi occupation. Go here to read an eyewitness account. To read a short article and view some pictures of this event go to this WWII site.

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for July 24, 2007

Entry for July 24, 2007
President Hoover

On this day in history 1929 President Hoover proclaims Kellogg-Briand Pact effective. This pact renounced war. What a wonderful idea! It is a shame that by 01 September 1939, Germany had invaded Poland and Britain and France had already mobilized for war. Japan withdrew from the League of Nations in 1933. Then Japan broke this agreement when In July 1937, the second Sino-Japanese War broke out. Japanese forces succeeded in occupying almost the whole coast of China and committed severe war atrocities on the Chinese population. The United States held out until after Pearl Harbor was bombed by the Japanese in December 1941. The following is the text of this proclamaton...
Treaty between the United States and other Powers providing for the renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy. Signed at Paris, August 27, 1928; ratification advised by the Senate, January 16, 1929; ratified by the President, January 17, 1929; instruments of ratification deposited at Washington by the United States of America, Australia, Dominion of Canada, Czechoslovkia, Germany, Great Britain, India, Irish Free State, Italy, New Zealand, and Union of South Africa, March 2, 1929: By Poland, March 26, 1929; by Belgium, March 27 1929; by France, April 22, 1929; by Japan, July 24, 1929; proclaimed, July 24, 1929.
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. A PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS a Treaty between the President of the United States Of America, the President of the German Reich, His Majesty the King of the Belgians, the President of the French Republic, His Majesty the King of Great Britain, Ireland and the British Dominions beyond the Seas, Emperor of India, His Majesty the King of Italy, His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, the President of the Republic of Poland, and the President of the Czechoslovak Republic, providing for the renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy, was concluded and signed by their respective Plenipotontiaries at Paris on the twenty-seventh day of August, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight, the original of which Treaty, being in the English and the French languages, is word for word as follows:
THE PRESIDENT OF THE GERMAN REICH, THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF THE BELGIANS, THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC, HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF GREAT BRITAIN IRELAND AND THE BRITISH DOMINIONS BEYOND THE SEAS, EMPEROR OF INDIA, HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF ITALY, HIS MAJESTY THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN, THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND THE PRESIDENT OF THE CZECHOSLOVAK REPUBLIC,
Deeply sensible of their solemn duty to promote the welfare of mankind;
Persuaded that the time has, come when a frank renunciation of war as an instrument of na tional policy should be made to the end that the peaceful and friendly relations now existing between their peoples may be perpetuated;
Convinced that all changes in their relations with one another should be sought only by pacific means and be the result of a peaceful and orderly process, and that any signatory Power which shall hereafter seek to promote its ts national interests by resort to war a should be denied the benefits furnished by this Treaty;
Hopeful that, encouraged by their example, all the other nations of the world will join in this humane endeavor and by adhering to the present Treaty as soon as it comes into force bring their peoples within the scope of its beneficent provisions, thus uniting the civilized nations of the world in a common renunciation of war as an instrument of their national policy;
Have decided to conclude a Treaty and for that purpose have appointed as their respective
Plenipotentiaries: THE PRESIDENT OF THE GERMAN REICH: Dr Gustav STRESEMANN, Minister of Foreign Affairs; THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: The Honorable Frank B. KELLOGG, Secretary of State; HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF THE BELGIANS: Mr Paul HYMANS, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Minister of State; THE PRESIDENT OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC: Mr. Aristide BRIAND Minister for Foreign Affairs; HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF GREAT BRITAIN, IRELAND AND THE BRITISH DOMINIONS BEYOND THE SEAS, EMPEROR OF INDIA: For GREAT BRITAIN and NORTHERN IBELAND and all parts of the British Empire which are not separate Members of the League of Nations: The Right Honourable Lord CUSHENDUN, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Acting-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; For the DOMINION OF CANADA: The Right Honourable William Lyon MACKENZIE KING, Prime Minister and Minister for External Affairs; For the COMMONWEALTH of AUSTRLIA: The Honourable Alexander John McLACHLAN, Member of the Executive Federal Council; For the DOMINION OF NEW ZEALAND: The Honourable Sir Christopher James PARR High Commissioner for New Zealand in Great Britain; For the UNION OF SOUTH AFRICA: The Honourable Jacobus Stephanus SMIT, High Commissioner for the Union of South Africa in Great Britain; For the IRISH FREE STATE: Mr. William Thomas COSGRAVE, President of the Executive Council; For INDIA: The Right Honourable Lord CUSHENDUN, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Acting Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs; HIS MAJESTY THE KING OF ITALY: Count Gaetano MANZONI, his Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary at Paris. HIS MAJESTY THE EMPEROR OF JAPAN: Count UCHIDA, Privy Councillor; THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF POLAND: Mr. A. ZALESKI, Minister for Foreign Affairs; THE PRESIDENT OF THE CZECHOSLOVAK REPUBLIC: Dr Eduard BENES, Minister for Foreign Affairs;
who, having communicated to one another their full powers found in good and due form have agreed upon the following articles:
ARTICLE I
The High Contracting Parties solemly declare in the names of their respective peoples that they condemn recourse to war for the solution of international controversies, and renounce it, as an instrument of national policy in their relations with one another.
ARTICLE II
The High Contracting Parties agree that the settlement or solution of all disputes or conflicts of whatever nature or of whatever origin they may be, which may arise among them, shall never be sought except by pacific means.
ARTICLE III
The present Treaty shall be ratified by the High Contracting Parties named in the Preamble in accordance with their respective constitutional requirements, and shall take effect as between them as soon as all their several instruments of ratification shall have been deposited at Washington.
This Treaty shall, when it has come into effect as prescribed in the preceding paragraph, remain open as long as may be necessary for adherence by all the other Powers of the world. Every instrument evidencing the adherence of a Power shall be deposited at Washington and the Treaty shall immediately upon such deposit become effective as; between the Power thus adhering and the other Powers parties hereto.
It shall be the duty of the Government of the United States to fumish each Government named in the Preamble and every Government subsequently adhering to this Treaty with a certified copy of the Treaty and of every instrument of ratification or adherence. It shall also be the duty of the Government of the United States telegraphically to notify such Governments immediately upon the deposit with it of each instrument of ratification or adherence.
IN FAITH WHEREOF the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed this Treaty in the French and English languages both texts having equal force, and hereunto affix their seals.
DONE at Paris, the twenty seventh day of August in the year one thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight.
[SEAL] GUSTAV STRESEMANN [SEAL] FRANK B KELLOGG [SEAL] PAUL HYMANS [SEAL] ARI BRIAND [SEAL] CUSHENDUN [SEAL] W. L. MACKENZIE KING [SEAL] A J MCLACHLAN [SEAL] C. J. PARR [SEAL] J S. SMIT [SEAL] LIAM T.MACCOSGAIR [SEAL] CUSHENDUN [SEAL] G. MANZONI [SEAL] UCHIDA [SEAB] AUGUST ZALESKI [SEAE1 DR EDWARD BENES
Certified to be a true copy of the signed original deposited with the Government of the United States of America.
FRANK B. KELLOGG Secretary of State of the United States of America
AND WHEREAS it is stipulated in the said Treaty that it shall take effect as between the High Contracting Parties as soon as all the several instruments of ratification shall have been deposited at Washington;
AND WHEREAS the said Treaty has been duly ratified on the parts of all the High Contracting Parties and their several instruments of ratification have been deposited with the Government of the United States of America, the last on July 24, 1929;
NOW THEREFORE, be it known that I, Herbert Hoover, President of the United States of America, have caused the said Treaty to be made public, to the end that the same and every article and clause thereof may be observed and fulfilled with good faith by the United States and the citizens thereof.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
DONE at the city of Washington this twenty-fourth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and twenty-nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and fifty-fourth
HERBERT HOOVER By the President: HENRY L STIMSON Secretary of State
NOTE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE
ADHERING COUNTRIES
When this Treaty became effective on Jury 24, 1929, the instruments of ratification of all of the signatory powers having been deposited at Washington, the following countries, having deposited instruments of definitive adherence, became parties to it:

Afghanistan
Finland
Peru
Albania
Guatemala
Portugal
Austria
Hungary
Rumania
Bulgaria
Iceland
Russia
China
Latvia
Kingdom of the Serbs
Cuba
Liberia
Croats and Slovenes
Denmark
Lithuania
Siam
Dominican Republic
Netherlands
Spain
Egypt
Nicaragua
Sweden
Estonia
Norway
Turkey
Ethiopia
Panama
Additional adhesions deposited subsequent to July 24, 1929. Persia, July 2, 1929; Greece, August 3, 1929; Honduras, August 6, 1929; Chile, August 12, 1929; Luxemburg August 14, 1929; Danzig, September 11, 1929; Costa Rica, October 1, 1929; Venezuela, October 24, 1929.
Text and information from the Avalon Project . (Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entries for May 14, 02, 01 and April 29, 25, 2007

Entry for May 14, 2007
On this day in history 1904-- The United States hosts its first Olympics in St. Louis, Missouri. Parts of the Olympics seemed to be amateurish. Read this article to read about some of the mishaps of these games. To read a little more about the 1904 games and view a list of the winners go here.

Entry for May 02, 2007
I haven't included any crochet information lately so I thought I better get with the program! Today I found a 2007 horoscope for crocheters. Go to this page to read yours. Mine is Pisces and it definitely matches me!

Entry for May 01, 2007
On this day in history 1937 - President Franklin Roosevelt signed an act of neutrality, keeping the United States out of World War II. This act forbid the export of weapons, ammunition and other implements of war to "belligerent states." Go here to read the full "Neutrality Act" of May 1, 1937.

Entry for April 29, 2007
On this day in history 1945 American soldiers liberated the Dachau concentration camp in Germany. Concentration camps were used by the Germans during WWII to house prisoners and to use them as slave laborers and also as a place to exterminate them. The largest populations were Jews. To see an official memorial website go to this page . To see actual film footage of concentration camps in 1945, go here but be advised that the film is disturbing.

Entry for April 25, 2007
On this day in history 1944 United Negro College Fund incorporates. Though set up to address funding inequities in educational resources for African Americans (then called by the old-fashioned term "Negroes"), UNCF administered scholarships are open to all ethnicities. It provides scholarships to students attending its member colleges as well as going elsewhere. To read more about this scholarship go to wikipedia ; or go to The UNCF page .

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for February 09, 2007

Doris Miller

During World War II, racial restriction and segregation were facts of life in the U.S. military. Nevertheless, an overwhelming majority of African Americans participated wholeheartedly in the fight against the Axis powers. Doris Miller is credited with shooting down several Japanese planes with a machine gun from the deck of the U.S.S. West Virginia during the attack on Pearl Harbor. When news of his actions reached the public, the African-American community saw him as their symbol of patriotism and pride. They wanted him to give speeches, named Boys Clubs after him, and started a write-in campaign to have President Roosevelt admit him to the Naval Academy. Although he did not attend the Naval Academy, Miller was decorated for bravery and continued to serve on active duty. Miller lost his life in the explosions and subsequent sinking of the Liscome Bay early on the morning of November 24, 1943. (From http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/a_people_at_war/war_in_the_pacific/doris_miller.html)

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for January 28, 2007

This is a WWII poster for gasoline conservation.

President George W. Bush has asked for a reduction of gasoline consumption in his 2007 State of the Union Address:
Tonight, I ask Congress to join me in pursuing a great goal. Let us build on the work we've done and reduce gasoline usage in the United States by 20 percent in the next 10 years. When we do that we will have cut our total imports by the equivalent of three-quarters of all the oil we now import from the Middle East.
To reach this goal, we must increase the supply of alternative fuels, by setting a mandatory fuels standard to require 35 billion gallons of renewable and alternative fuels in 2017 -- and that is nearly five times the current target. At the same time, we need to reform and modernize fuel economy standards for cars the way we did for light trucks -- and conserve up to 8.5 billion more gallons of gasoline by 2017.
Achieving these ambitious goals will dramatically reduce our dependence on foreign oil, but it's not going to eliminate it. And so as we continue to diversify our fuel supply, we must step up domestic oil production in environmentally sensitive ways. And to further protect America against severe disruptions to our oil supply, I ask Congress to double the current capacity of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
To read the entire address go here .
In 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt faced a similar situation. On 28 April 1942. FDR gave a radio address to the American people and explained what was expected of them.
...I submitted to the Congress of the United States a seven-point program, a program of general principles which taken together could be called the national economic policy for attaining the great objective of keeping the cost of living down. I repeat them now to you in substance: (1.) First. We must, through heavier taxes, keep personal and corporate profits at a low reasonable rate. (2.) Second. We must fix ceilings on prices and rents. (3.) Third. We must stabilize wages. (4.) Fourth. We must stabilize farm prices. (5.) Fifth. We must put more billions into War Bonds. (6.) Sixth. We must ration all essential commodities, which are scarce. (7.) Seventh. We must discourage installment buying, and encourage paying off debts and mortgages. I do not think it is necessary to repeat what I said yesterday to the Congress in discussing these general principles. The important thing to remember is that earn one of these points is dependent on the others if the whole program is to work.
Some people are already taking the position that every one of the seven points is correct except the one point which steps on their own individual toes. A few seem very willing to approve self-denial -- on the part of their neighbors. The only effective course of action is a simultaneous attack on all of the factors which increase the cost of living, in one comprehensive, all-embracing program covering prices, and profits, and wages, and taxes and debts.
To read this entire address, go to this site .

There are some easy ways to save gasoline such as carpooling and cutting out unnecessary trips for example, driving to the mall to "window shop." How about making highschool kids ride the bus to school instead of driving their own cars? How about putting bicycle racks at schools, businesses and stores to encourage people to bike instead of driving short distances. Can any of my readers come up with more suggestions on how to conserve fuel? Leave comments for me and I'll try to incorporate them at a future date.

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for November 29, 2006

Graphic from http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/fsaall:@field(NUMBER+@band(fsa+8b06175))
On the day in history 1942-- Coffee rationing begins. Time Magazine had an interesting article on Nov. 9, 1942 about rationing. Go to u-s-history website for another article on rationing during WWII.

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for November 07, 2006

On this day in history 1942--Franklin Roosevelt became the 1st US President to broadcast in a foreign language (French). Here is the text of this address in English--
Washington, D. C., November 7, 1942
White House news release.
In connection with current military operations in French North Africa, the President has broadcasted by radio to the French people, the following message in French:

My friends, who suffer day and night, under the crushing yoke of the Nazis, I speak to you as one who was with your Army and Navy in France in 1918. I have held all my life the deepest friendship for the French people-for the entire French people. I retain and cherish the friendship of hundreds of French people in France and outside of France. I know your farms, your villages, and your cities. I know your soldiers, professors, and workmen. I know what a precious heritage of the French people are your homes, your culture, and the principles of democracy in France. I salute again and reiterate my faith in Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity. No two Nations exist which are more united by historic and mutually friendly ties than the people of France and the United States.
Americans, with the assistance of the United Nations, are striving for their own safe future as well as the restoration of the ideals, the liberties, and the democracy of all those who have lived under the Tricolor.
We come among you to repulse the cruel invaders who would remove forever your rights of self-government, your rights to religious freedom, and your rights to live your own lives in peace and security.
We come among you solely to defeat and rout your enemies. Have faith in our words. We do not want to cause you any harm.
We assure you that once the menace of Germany and Italy is removed from you, we shall quit your territory at once.
I am appealing to your realism, to your self-interest and national ideals.
Do not obstruct, I beg of you, this great purpose.
Help us where you are able, my friends, and we shall see again the glorious day when liberty and peace shall reign again on earth.

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for October 20, 2006

On this day in 1942 --US forces under Gen Douglas MacArthur return to the Philippines. In December 1941, MacArthur's ill-prepared troops--Filipino and American were attacked by the Japanese. For my friend in Cavite, much of the fighting occured there as well as in Manila. In March 1943, MacArthur was ordered, by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, to leave the Philippines and go to Australia. When in Australia, MacArthur gave his famous quote to reporters: "I shall return." MacArthur had to wait almost 2 years before returning. Read about plans to return there here. Then go here to read about the battle that has gone down in history known as the Battle of Leyte Gulf. An interesting article about events leading up to MacArthur's departure from the Philippines can be found at the World War II database online . His return can be seen on a news reel available here for online viewing .

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for October 17, 2006

On this day in history 1933 -- Albert Einstein arrives in the US, a refugee from Nazi Germany. At the Nobel prize web pageyou can find additional information about Einstein. If you really want "the dirt" on Einstein, the FBI has over 1,400 pages of information on Einstein because he was affiliated with Communist organizations. See http://foia.fbi.gov/foiaindex/einstein.htm . A plethora of links is available at this location . Einstein's archives are available online. There is quite a bit of information concerning his personal life and correspondence located there. A quick-to-read biography of his life is available at this page .

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for October 15, 2006

On this day in history 1917-- Mata Hari is executed by the French. It is uncertain if she actually was a double agent during WWI. A good article is at http://www.firstworldwar.com/bio/matahari.htm --a page of First War . com. Another article may be found at http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/venona/dece_hari.html a PBS webpage.

Today I took advantage of a great yarn sale at Michaels and also attended a demonstration of the Knifty Knitter while there. There I learned how to use the long purple knitting board. I have one but haven't been able to successfully cast on with it. Now I think I have it figured out. Knifty Knitters are really great. Within a short period of time the knitter can turn out a hat probably in less than an hour if I remember correctly. Knifty Knitters are looms that are sold in kits. If you enjoy working with yarn and want a project to finish quickly then this could be the way to go. There are some free patterns available on the Internet and several groups on Yahoo. Give it a try! Here are a few links--

http://isela.typepad.com/loom_knitters_circle/
http://www.robertscrafts.com/projects/projects.php?prdindex=kniftyknitter&dsp=list
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf224186.tip.html
http://www.provocraft.com/projects/projects.php?dsp=list&prdindex=kniftyknitter
http://www.macphersoncrafts.com/FreeProjects/FreeProject_KniftyKnitter_Detail.asp
http://decoraccentsinc.com/knitting_loom_instructions.html
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rakeknitting/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/kniftyknitterlooms/
http://yarngear.com/looms/projects1.htm
http://www.bfranklincrafts.com/KniftyKnitter.html
Go to your favorite search engine and search for knifty knitter patterns and you should be able to come up with more. Good luck!

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)

Entry for October 14, 2006

This day in history 1944--German Gen. Erwin Rommel, nicknamed "the Desert Fox," committed suicide. Hitler discovered that Rommel was in on plans to head the German government in the event of Hitler's overthrow. It was also believed that Rommel was in on a plot to assassinate Hitler but this was NOT true. While recovering from wounds, Rommel was given the choice of a trial or suicide. Rommel chose suicide and ingested cyanide. At Eyewitnesstohistory.com's page http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/rommel.htm is an account of the suicide by Rommel's son Manfred.

(Originally posted on my Yahoo 360 blog)