Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 440
February 20, 2013
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—Feb. 20, 1943: Germans take Kasserine Pass in Tunisia; first use of German Nebelwerfer rocket launcher. Movie executives agree to allow US Office of War Information to censor films. New song in Top Ten: “I’ve Heard That Song Before.” Norman Rockwell’s “Freedom of Speech” appears in Saturday Evening Post.
February 19, 2013
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—Feb. 19, 1943: Battle of Kasserine Pass begins: Rommel attacks US forces in Tunisia at Kasserine and Sbiba Passes. British Gen. Harold Alexander takes control of 18th Army Group in Tunisia (British First and Eighth Armies, US II Corps, French).
February 18, 2013
Freedom of Speech
Seventy years ago, on February 20, 1943, Norman Rockwell's "Freedom of Speech" appeared on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post. Back on January 6, 1941, in his State of the Union Address, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared that every person deserved four fundamental freedoms - freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from fear, and freedom from want. This speech inspired artist Norman Rockwell. In the summer of 1942, he attended a town meeting in Arlington, Vermont and observed one citizen standing in opposition to a new project - the only one opposed. Yet he was allowed to speak, and those who disagreed listened respectfully. Rockwell realized he had his subject matter, and the series of four paintings came together.
After the paintings appeared in The Saturday Evening Post, they were made into posters for the US Second War Loan Drive in April 1943.
In early 1943, the Second World War had already reached the turning point, with the Allies making progress in the Pacific, on the Eastern Front, and in North Africa, but the outcome of the war was still far from certain.
In the US, people were free to speak out in opposition to the government, but in Nazi-occupied Europe, such words would earn death. These posters reminded Americans what they were fighting for. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution states: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press." Rockwell's stirring art reminded people then - as it reminds us now - what a precious freedom this is.
Why are you thankful for freedom of speech?
Today in World War II History
Flight nurses in training at Bowman Field, Kentucky70 Years Ago—Feb. 18, 1943: Nazis arrest the ringleaders of the White Rose resistance group at the University of Munich. Madame Chiang Kai-shek addresses joint session of Congress, the first woman and the first Chinese to do so.First class of 39 flight nurses graduates at Bowman Field, Kentucky. A B-29 Superfortress bomber crashes in test flight into a meat-packing plant in Seattle, 33 killed.
February 17, 2013
Today in World War II History
31st Fighter Group at Thelepte Airfield, 194370 Years Ago—Feb. 17, 1943: In Tunisia, US evacuates Fériana & Thélepte Airfields; Germans occupy the airfields and the towns of Sbeïtla and Kasserine. Baseball player Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees enlists in the US Army. Aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV-16) is commissioned at Quincy, MA.
February 16, 2013
Today in World War II History
Insignia of US Sixth Army70 Years Ago—Feb. 16, 1943: US Sixth Army established in Southwest Pacific Area under Lt. Gen. Walter Krueger. Soviets retake Kharkov, Ukraine.
February 15, 2013
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—Feb. 15, 1943: British Eighth Army arrives at German Mareth Line in Tunisia. Actress and pin-up girl Betty Grable leaves prints from hands & one leg at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood.
February 14, 2013
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—Feb. 14, 1943: Germans launch offensive in Tunisia through Faïd & Maïzila Passes; overpower US troops and take Sidi bou Zid. British/Indian Chindits cross Chindwin River into Burma.
February 13, 2013
Giveaway Winner
Thanks to all of you who celebrated with Tricia Goyer, Cara Putman, and me about signing a contract with B&H Publishing for our World War II Christmas novella collection, I'll Be Seeing You at Christmas, coming fall of 2014.The winner of the book is Becky Guinn! Becky, I will put you on the top of the list and will contact you when the book comes out to
Today in World War II History
70 Years Ago—Feb. 13, 1943: Tunisian Jews ordered to pay 10 million francs to Germans. US Marine Corps Women’s Reserve officially established.
