Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 509

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Aug. 17, 1941: Romanian troops (fighting as allies with Germany) surround Odessa, Ukraine.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Aug. 16, 1941: Stalin agrees to aid plan from US and Britain. Germans take Novgorod and Nikolaev.[image error]

Happy V-J Day!

[image error] Sixty-six years ago, on August 14, 1945, World War II came to an end when Emperor Hirohito of Japan signed his acceptance of the Potsdam Declaration demanding unconditional surrender to the Allies. The surrender was announced in the United States at 7pm Eastern War Savings Time.

The following day, August 15, was officially proclaimed V-J Day (Victory in Japan), a day of celebration and thanksgiving.

Almost six years had passed since Germany had invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, beginning the most costly war the world had ever seen. Europe and Japan lay in ruins. Tens of millions of people had lost their lives in combat, bombings, and extermination camps. Very few families were unaffected by the war, even in the US, where only a small amount of bombs landed from a handful of shellings by Japanese submarines.

It's hard for us to imagine the extreme jubilation that erupted sixty-six years ago today.

Take a moment today and imagine. Imagine the jubilation, the sense of relief that the horror was over, that you would survive, that those around you would survive, that you could go on with your life and pursue your dreams.

Take a moment today and give thanks. Thank the veterans, and nurses, and home front workers who made that victory possible. Thank the members of our armed forces today who continue to keep us safe. And thank the Lord for strengthening us and watching over us.

Take a moment today and celebrate!

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Aug. 15, 1941: Jews in Nazi-occupied USSR banned from public places, can't own cars or radios.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Aug. 14, 1941: Roosevelt and Churchill sign the Atlantic Charter declaring general principles for a free post-war world. Roosevelt announces US will not allow U-boats to attack British shipping in western hemisphere.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Aug. 13, 1941: USSR releases Polish POWs captured in 1939 to form army, but the new army never saw combat.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Aug. 12, 1941: Germans encircle Kiev. 6000 Polish troops land at besieged Tobruk, relieve Australians. Japanese-Canadians required to carry registration cards with thumbprint & photo.

Book Beat - The Dawn of a Dream

Betrayed, humiliated, and abandoned, Luellen O'Connell reaches for all she has left - a forgotten dream.

In The Dawn of a Dream , Ann Shorey takes the familiar story of a young frontier woman who wants to become a teacher and gives it a twist. Several twists actually. As Luellen fights to earn her teaching certificate from one of the few schools that admits women, she meets challenge after challenge. A gentle romance with her brother's friend further challenges her dream.

Luellen faces challenges familiar to modern women. Her dream clashes with the needs of her family. Her romance clashes with her dream. Her good sense clashes with her feelings for the wrong man.

The Dawn of a Dream is a touching story with an intriguing heroine and interesting plot twists. Nothing is easy for Luellen, but she forges ahead. This is the final book in the At Home in Beldon Grove series, but it stands alone. This was my favorite book in the series, and I highly recommend it.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Aug. 11, 1941: Vichy France bans Jewish doctors from practicing medicine.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—Aug. 10, 1941: Roosevelt and Churchill meet on ship on Newfoundland Bay to create Atlantic Charter.