Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 317
December 30, 2015
Today in World War II History—December 30, 1940
Arroyo Seco Parkway, 1940 (CalTrans photo)
75 Years Ago—Dec. 30, 1940: California’s first freeway, the Arroyo Seco Parkway, opens between Los Angeles and Pasadena.
December 29, 2015
Today in World War II History—December 29, 1940
St. Paul’s Cathedral during the great raid on London, England, 29 Dec 1940. (US National Archives)
75 Years Ago—Dec. 29, 1940: The worst Luftwaffe raid on London causes 1500 fires in the “Second Great Fire of London,” but St. Paul’s Cathedral survives. President Roosevelt makes “Arsenal of Democracy” radio address in a fireside chat, promising aid to Britain.
December 28, 2015
Book Beat – The Methuselah Project
In 1943, P-47 fighter pilot Capt. Roger Greene is shot down over Germany. Resigned to spending the rest of the war in a POW camp, he’s startled when the Germans turn him over to civilian scientists. Imprisoned, Roger is subjected to a bizarre Nazi experiment. As the years progress, his captors age…but Roger doesn’t.
In 2014, Katherine Mueller enjoys her editing job in Atlanta and trains hard in martial arts and target-shooting as a member of the mysterious Heritage Organization. Her Uncle Kurt expects her to marry a member of the Organization, but she resists.
When Roger finally escapes from his prison, he hasn’t aged a bit – but he has no idea how to function in the modern world. As his captors chase him down, Katherine helps him. But is she on his side – or is she working for his enemies?
Wow! What a ride! If you like World War II fiction, if you like a rip-roaring thriller, and if you like Captain America (you do like the Cap, don’t you?), you’ll love The Methuselah Project. Rick Barry knows his history, and all the details are just right, including Roger’s culture shock in modern America. Roger and Katherine are wonderful characters, and the suspense is smartly paced. Enjoy!
Today in World War II History—December 28, 1940 & 1945
Mussolini and Hitler, Munich, Jun 1940 (US National Archives)
75 Years Ago—Dec. 28, 1940: Italian dictator Mussolini requests German aid against Greeks in Albania.
70 Years Ago—Dec. 28, 1945: US Congress officially recognizes the Pledge of Allegiance. Movie premiere of Hitchcock suspense film Spellbound, starring Gregory Peck and Ingrid Bergman. Movie premiere of Adventure, starring Greer Garson and Clark Gable in his first postwar film (tagline “Gable’s back and Garson’s got him!”).
December 27, 2015
Today in World War II History—December 27, 1940 & 1945
Members of the Korean interim government, 3 Dec 1945
75 Years Ago—Dec. 27, 1940: Movie premiere of drama Kitty Foyle, starring Ginger Rogers.
70 Years Ago—Dec. 27, 1945: US, UK, and USSR agree to govern Korea jointly for five years.
December 26, 2015
Today in World War II History—December 26, 1940
75 Years Ago—Dec. 26, 1940: Movie premiere of Philadelphia Story, starring Katharine Hepburn, Cary Grant, and James Stewart.
December 25, 2015
Today in World War II History—December 25, 1940
Lighting of the National Christmas Tree, Washington DC, December 24, 1940. (US National Archives)
75 Years Ago—Dec. 25, 1940: Pope Pius XII celebrates Christmas Midnight Mass in afternoon due to blackout.
December 24, 2015
Today in World War II History—December 24, 1940
British poster, WWII (Imperial War Museum)
75 Years Ago—Dec. 24, 1940: US refuses to admit Jewish refugees, believing it will lead to expulsion of all Jews from Europe. Bonus Christmas ration is distributed in Germany—26 oz rice & vegetables, 1 lb sugar, coffee, and jam.
December 23, 2015
Today in World War II History—December 23, 1940
USSR Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov, US Secretary of State James Byrnes, and UK Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Anthony Eden at Potsdam, Germany, Jul-Aug 1945 (German Federal Archive, Bild 183-14059-0016)
75 Years Ago—Dec. 23, 1940: Churchill appoints Anthony Eden as British Foreign Secretary.
December 22, 2015
Today in World War II History—December 22, 1940 & 1945
75 Years Ago—Dec. 22, 1940: David Margesson appointed to replace Anthony Eden as British Secretary of State for War.
70 Years Ago—Dec. 22, 1945: President Truman issues “Truman Directive,” authorizing immigration of increased numbers of displaced persons.
