Tag Archives: Roosevelt

This fall in the War, September–November 1940: Heading for an election on the 5th of November

This evening (Tuesday 16 October) I watched the American presidential debate on CNN: Obama vs Romney. Politics in the USA are more interesting than any in any other country I can think of—and I’m speaking as outsider. The brilliantly-orchestrated party … Continue reading

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This week in the War, 2–8 September 1940: destroyers for bases

On 3 September 1940 (the anniversary of Britain’s entry into WWII), Britain signed an agreement to receive 50 WWI destroyers from the United States. Some American and British sailors are shown here inspecting depth charges, with destroyers in the background. … Continue reading

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This week in the War, 15–21 July: An end to the war?

The war could have ended this week. It would have been a different end, with Hitler and Churchill, if not exactly shaking hands, at least agreeing to quit fighting and go their separate ways. Britain would keep its Empire, Germany … Continue reading

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This week in the War, 10–16 June 1940: Faith, Hope, and Charity

The Italians had been watching from the sidelines. Suddenly, 10 June 1940, Benito Mussolini announced, in a grandiose speech from his balcony over Palazzo Venezia, that they were joining in the war on Germany’s side. Good timing. France was on … Continue reading

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This week in the War, 6–12 May 1940: “Wake up! The Germans are coming…!”

On the morning of 10 May 1940, American journalist Claire Boothe Luce was asleep in her room on the top floor of the US embassy in Brussels when a maid shook her by the shoulder, urging her to wake up … Continue reading

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