Friday June 20, 1941. Diaries and Developments.

The first edition of William Shirer's book, Berlin Diary was published.

The extremely moody Shirer is famous for The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, a true masterpiece, although one that has been somewhat, but only somewhat, eclipsed in very recent years.  The work was groundbreaking, massive, and highly readable, and refers to Berlin Diary from time to time.  I'm frankly quite surprised that Berlin Diary came out so early.

That it did is something I learned from this very interesting entry, which several of the times on today's 1941 post stem from:

Today in World War II History—June 20, 1941

Included in that, is this item:

June 20, 1941. The Army Air Corps becomes the Army Air Forces.

On this day in 1941, expressing its growing significance and the need to increase its autonomy, the United States Army Air Corps became the United States Army Air Forces.

The date I learned here:

Today in World War II History—June 20, 1941

The evolution had been occurring for some time so the increased degree of separation from the rest of the Army was not surprising.  None the less, it stopped short of full separation, as Air Force would not become a separate branch of service until 1947.

On this day, President Roosevelt told Congress that Germany would be held responsible for the sinking of the SS Robin Moor, and event we recalled here a couple of weeks ago on its anniversary.  Roosevelts announcement had wisely not been immediate, in the heat of the event.

Germany briefed its ally Romania on the plans for invading the Soviet Union, which were likely wisely released only two days prior to the event's D-Day.  On the same day, and giving a very clear signal of what was coming, Finland mobilized its reservists who were under age 45.

Ford Motors, a family owned company, entered into a contract with the United Auto Workers, the first time it had done so.

Harlem Renaissance writer Countee Cullen was photographed in New York's Central Park.

A significant figure in the movement, Cullen was a very shy man who rarely entertained crowds.  He had at least a somewhat tortured personality in that while he was twice married, once to the sole surviving daughter of  W. E. B. Dubois, there is fairly good evidence that he was a homosexual.  He died in 1946 at age 42 due to high blood pressure.