Ostensibly exploring the practice of law before the internet. Heck, before good highways for that matter.
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Friday, May 2, 2025
Wednesday, May 2, 1945. Berlin taken.
The Red Army took Berlin.
Yevgeny Khaldei took the staged Raising a Flag over the Reichstag photograph, showing Soviet troops raising the flag of the Soviet Union atop the Reichstag. The unretouched variant is shown above, i which one soldier is wearing two watches, which was later edited out of the photo as at least one of them was no doubt picked up somewhere.
The Nisei 552nd Field Artillery Bn liberated a Dachau death march.
The Germans surrendered in Italy and Southern Austria. Among those going into Allied captivity is Dr. Wernher von Braun.
Admiral Dönitz's formed the Flensburg Government.
Eamon de Valera paid a visit to Dr Eduard Hempel, the German minister in Ireland, to offer his condolences on the death of Hitler. Nobody has ever been able to grasp this.
Erich Bärenfänger, 30, German Generalmajor, Martin Bormann, 44, German Nazi official; Wilhelm Burgdorf, 50, German general; Walther Hewel, 41, German diplomat; Hans Krebs, 47, German general; and Franz Schädle, 38, German commander of Hitler's personal bodyguard, killed themselves.
Peter Högl, 47, German SS-Obersturmbannführer, Ewald Lindloff, 36, Waffen-SS officerMartin Strahammer, 54, German Generalmajor; and Joachim von Siegroth, 48, German Generalmajor were killed in action.
The British landed on Rangoon.
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Tuesday, May 1, 1945. German radio reports Hitler dead.
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Monday, April 23, 1945. Where's Hitler?
German radio broadcast that Adolf Hitler was in the "main fighting line" in Berlin and would "remain there despite all rumors."
The Allies suspected he was in Bavaria organizing resistance there.
Göring sent a telegram asking for permission to assume leadership of the Third Reich which Hitler regarded as treason, ordering his arrest.
The Flossenburg concentration camp was liberated by the U.S. Army.
The U-183 was sunk off of Borneo by the U.S. submarine Besugo.
The Navy deployed Bat air to ship missiles against Japanese ships in Balipapan Harbor in Borneo, marking their first use.
Those arrested in the Freeman Field Mutiny were released.
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Movies In History, The Six Triple Eight.
This will be the third time I've tried to publish this review. The prior two times it outright disappeared.
Uff.
The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion is a unique U.S. Army unit that served in Europe during World War Two. Deployed in February, 1945, the unit was tasked with straightening out a massive mail backlog in the ETO, and by all accounts did yeoman's work doing it. The unit was all female, and all black, including its officers the only such unit to be deployed to Europe during the war. The unit not too surprisingly encountered racist opposition, which is a large part of the theme of the film.
The film is quite well done, featuring dramatizations of real characters for the most part. The story, as noted, is dramatized, but with one exception, it does not depart massively from the actual events. The sole exception is a romance between a rich white Jewish young man and one of the black female characters, before they join the service, which seems to take place in the American South, and which features a desegregated high school. Desegregated high schools would not have existed in the South, making this an odd error, and while such a romance could have occurred, it would not have taken place more or less openly as depicted.
Material details are very well done, including the depiction of M1943 Field Jacket Liners in use as jackets, which did occur but which is rarely depicted in film. Indeed, I can't recall it ever being depicted in another film.
Well worth seeing.
Saturday, April 5, 2025
Thursday, April 5, 1945. Rebellion of the Georgian Legion.
The Soviet Union renounced the Soviet–Japanese Neutrality Pact of April 1941.
The Georgian Legion, a German foreign legion, rose up against the Germans on the Dutch island of Texel. The battle would result in large-scale casualties incurred until the end of the war by both sides.
The uprising is regarded as heroic, but the late war uprising was naive. It counted on an Allied landing which did not occur, and it presumed favorable post war treatment by the Allies.
African American members of the 477th Bombardment Group attempted to integrate an all-white officers' club at Freeman Field, Indiana, resulting in the predictable scuffles and arrests although the ultimate punishment was minor.
Gen. MacArthur was appointed control of all Army forces in the Pacific and Adm. Nimitz all naval forces. The move was made in anticipation of the Invasion of Japan.
Japanese Prime Minister Kuniaki Koiso (小磯 國昭), frustrated in his attempts to be involved in military decisions, resigned.
The U-242 sank in St. George's Channel after hitting a mine.
Last edition
Wednesday, April 4, 1945. The Third Army liberates the Ohrdruf Subcamp.
Wednesday, February 19, 2025
On being duped, and staying duped. I saw some Trumpsplainers go berserk on Twitter on the question of betraying Ukraine, with . . .
well at least he isn't having kids get gender bending surgery.
Oh?
Has Trump done anything on that topic?
Well, no. He hasn't.
He did ban biological men from participating in women's sports, something states were doing anyhow, and which is widely supported. And his Secretary of Defense banned those who had received such surgeries from joining the service (not from staying in).
And on the social issues, somethings to consider.
Has he done anything to widen prohibitions against abortion?
Nope. In fact, to the contrary, he's supporting IVF which results in millions of abortions and which is condemned by the Apostolic Faiths, including the one J. D. Vance claims to adhere to.
Has he done anything to protect the traditional definition of marriage?
Nope. Indeed, his Treasury Secretary is openly homosexual. I'm not saying he shouldn't be Treasury Secretary, but the populist had a four year fit over Biden's Transpiration Secretary being in the exact same domestic situation.
Exact same.
I guess its okay now.
Deportation of illegal aliens?
Well, it's at pretty much the same rate it was under Biden.
So, those who supported Trump as they wanted to advance social issues on the right, well, what did you get?
Anything?
Just men out of women's sports, which was being done anyhow.
Piles of cost saving cuts of wasteful things?
Nope, a few cuts of wasteful things combined with cuts we'll soon have to make up, supported by lies (like 150 year olds getting Social Security, not happening).
Indeed, this one is amusing as the most famous "discoveries" of the week is that Musk's minors in charge aren't familiar with COBAL, which is before their time. They read COBAL entries literally when in fact they're a code, so they thing they think were literally years, weren't.
That's known now, but will they admit it? Nope.
Oh, and the end of DEI, which wasn't really impacting you much anyhow, was it?
And all in exchange for a government dominated by oligarchs, being hated globally, and losing protections long won.
You were duped.
But you won't admit it.
Saturday, February 8, 2025
Thursday, February 8, 1945. Offensives started in the East and West.
The Red Army launched the Lower Silesian Offensive (Нижне-Силезская наступательная операция)
He commanded a 9-man squad with the mission of holding a critical flank position. When overwhelming numbers of the enemy attacked under cover of withering artillery, mortar, and rocket fire, he withdrew his squad into a nearby house, determined to defend it to the last man. The enemy attacked again and again and were repulsed with heavy losses. Supported by direct tank fire, they finally gained entrance, but the intrepid sergeant refused to surrender although 5 of his men were wounded and 1 was killed. He boldly flung a can of flaming oil at the first wave of attackers, dispersing them, and fought doggedly from room to room, closing with the enemy in fierce hand-to-hand encounters. He hurled handgrenade for handgrenade, bayoneted 2 fanatical Germans who rushed a doorway he was defending and fought on with the enemy's weapons when his own ammunition was expended. The savage fight raged for 4 hours, and finally, when only 3 men of the defending squad were left unwounded, the enemy surrendered. Twenty-five prisoners were taken, 11 enemy dead and a great number of wounded were counted. Sgt. Turner's valiant stand will live on as a constant inspiration to his comrades. His heroic, inspiring leadership, his determination and courageous devotion to duty exemplify the highest tradition of the military service.
2/8 After the noon meeting of {Tel. to Dept re Assoc. Ns}For Sees, Jebb, Gromyko & A Hmet as committee to discuss Un NsConference procedure. A. H. ex- 2/8Plenary4.30 p mplain ed State Dept views but said Pres.had not approved. After lunch beforeplenary session ERS cleared all with Pres.& A H told Gromyko & sent word to JebbPres called on Eden to report for For MinsEd: We met to consider etc. & read his reportre place Ed. repeated his statement of this morning that next meeting of For Mins be held in Lon & that seemed to meet with a measure of approvalEd: Reason for saying those who are members now should be invited was to prevent nations from becoming Un Ns Just to be invited Understands Am. Del. has different viewSt: I have the list of states which declared war on Ger I count this no. into official members of the Ass. Among these are 10 which [Page 783]have no dip. rels with S. U. We will together with them build up world security——Pres: I think many of them will be glad to recog & est. dip. rels with S U. Haven’t got round to it yet. In few is very strong Cath. Church influence At same time we recognize most of these who have not exch. dip. rels with Sov Un. have sat with Sov Un at Bretton Woods & other dip. conferences held.St.: That’s right but on other hand is very diff. build up world sec. with countries which don’t recog. Sov UnPres: Easiest way to est. complete dip rels. is to invite them. That involves matter of history which should be explained. 3 yrs. ago Actg Sec State Welles told number of these states not nec. to declare on Ger. but should break all rels. So there are 5 or 6 of these which expect to be invited—& are in good standing Sec. of State has embarrassed me further by bringing this to my attention 1 month ago. As a result I sent a letter to the 6 pres. of these 6 reps explaining that if they wanted to be invited they should declare war on either Japan or Ger. Ecuador has declared war but hasn’t had chance sign Un Ns decl. Paraguay will soon. Peru, Venezuela etc (not Chile, soon) Will be embarrassing if not invited. In meantime in past 4 yrs. all of these nations have helped us in waging war because large part of raw materials for munitions of war came from them.Result is I’m in a somewhat diff. positionSt: Not discussed todayPres: We have phrase Associated Ns meaning nations which have broken rels but haven’t declared war.The list of nations which Mr Stett gave to Mr Molotov at lunch todaySt. asked about ArgentinePres: Not an assoc. nationSt: If “associates” come in that would include Argentina. Would include TurkeyPres. My idea & it would save my life would be to invite those who have are on the list who have helped us on condition that they declare war.St: Before or after they declare warPres: Before, put a time limit, say 1st of MarchSt: AgreedChurch: I am glad to say these nations would be required to declare war before they would be invited to the Conf. Of course I feel like Marshall St that some of them have played a poor part, waiting to see who would win. Now it’s quite safe they would like to come in Will have depressing effect on Ger to realize another batch has come in. [Page 784]Might also have effect on other hostile belligerents to see how whole world is turning ag. themPres: I should like to add one name to list for sake of clarity—newest rep. in world IcelandChurch: re Eg. HMG feel special resp. On 2 occasions were willing to declare war It was more convenient to us to have them stay formally neutralPres: In other words you’re in same fix I’m inChurch Also I must say on behalf of Eg that when enemy was only 30 miles from capital Egyptian Army rendered service, guarded bridges, communs & generally was more helpful than if she had declared war & made Cairo subject to air bombardment ∴Feel if Eg. now feels she wanted to declare war she should have the opportunityIceland also rendered very val. services. At a time when the U. S. had not herself had entered the war she admitted Brit & US troops, violated her neutrality in a marked fashion & guarded a life line across the Atlantic. I think those two have certainly a case provided they declare warIs it intended any nation which declares war.Pres: no, only the Assoc Ns(Italy, Ireland—no)Church: I shall mention a name which I think will cause universal satisfaction—Turkey T. made an alliance with us before the war at a very dangerous time. But when the war broke out, after it had been going on little while, T’s found their army was not equipped with any of weapons that decide modern battles. But att. has been friendly although they would not take the opportunity which was offered to us yr. agoSt. says all right if by end of Feb. It will declare warGer. is not yet defeated war & war hardly will terminate by end of Feb.Pres: One other case—curious case.Den.2 was invaded. Has been under Ger. domination sinceOnly one man claimed to represent Den. was the the Dan. Min. in Wash. He could not declare war but he disowned acts of his own govtWould be with us 100% if they couldChurch: Have they agreed to the independence of Iceland?I do not think it is of very great importance. I think Mar & Pres are quite right in letting any one come to the party who declares war by end of month[Page 785]St & Denmark could waitPres YesChurch: She would have a perfect right to come if she is able to speakPres Amend Un Ns & also those of assoc. powers & T. who declare war by Mar 1Church All who declare warEd. Un Ns as they exist on the 1st of Mar.Church:Pres Ger. or JapanCommon enemyMol Would it not facilitate position of Sov. Reps if they would sign Decl. of Un Ns before 1st of Mar.Pres I think its easier to take the list we’ve got. San Marino & Andorra might sign, nations like thatChurch. What is the positionSt: But T is not fightingPres: read list of Assoc. Ns & T only if they declare warMol: If Uk & Byelo-R sign decl before 1st of Mar.Pres. That had been settled in this formula We are prepared to support them.St. I propose to name the Reps, which would be invited: Uk & Byelo-R. To call them by name in this protocol and secondly I propose that they should sign the Decl of Un Ns before 1st of Mar. Change the protocolChurch Delay invitations to two states of Sov. Un till we are all met If so many new ones are to be brought in now be confusingSt: I have point out that’s not quite logical. 3 great powers agree to seat White R & Uk But some might say they haven’t signedChurch: Two R states should be treated same as other late arrivalsSt. I wouldn’t like to embarrass Pres. What is his difficulty. I might withdraw my proposalPres: Only technical. We have been discussing admitting other people. Uk & Wh R are not other people they are here already. We & UK will support it. We change SU from 1 vote to 3 right here. Why 3, why not 4, 5, 6?St. Withdrew his request. But names of the two republics should be in the reportPoland
The Alaskan Anti-Discrimination Act of 1945 passed thanks to the efforts of Tlingit Elizabeth Peratrovich.
Last edition:
Tuesday, February 6, 1945. False hopes at Manila.
Friday, January 10, 2025
Saturday, January 10, 1925. The KKK gets the boot from Kansas.
The Supreme Court of Kansas issued a ruling that the Ku Klux Klan was a corporation organized for profit. This had the result of banning the organization from Kansas as it could not receive a corporate charter there.
The clause of the Treaty of Versailles requiring it to grant most favored nation status to the Allied Powers of World War One expired.
France declined to withdraw form the Rhineland in spite of the negotiated date for that occurring on the baes that Germany, in its view, had violated the disarmament provisions of the treaty.
The British submarine HMH L24 sank after hitting the HMS Resolution, resulting in the loss o fits complete crew of 43.
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Thursday, January 8, 1925. Adding to Custer State Park
Friday, January 3, 2025
Friday, January 3, 1975. The Jackson-Vanik Amendment
The Jackson-Vanik amendment was signed into law. The amendment was to the Trade Act of 1974 and impacted countries with non market (socialist) countries which restricted freedom of Jewish emigration and other human rights. It stated:
(a) Actions of nonmarket economy countries making them ineligible for normal trade relations, programs of credits, credit guarantees, or investment guarantees, or commercial agreements To assure the continued dedication of the United States to fundamental human rights, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, on or after January 3, 1975, products from any nonmarket economy country shall not be eligible to receive nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations), such country shall not participate in any program of the Government of the United States which extends credits or credit guarantees or investment guarantees, directly or indirectly, and the President of the United States shall not conclude any commercial agreement with any such country, during the period beginning with the date on which the President determines that such country -
(1) denies its citizens the right or opportunity to emigrate;
(2) imposes more than a nominal tax on emigration or on the visas or other documents required for emigration, for any purpose or cause whatsoever; or
(3) imposes more than a nominal tax, levy, fine, fee, or other charge on any citizen as a consequence of the desire of such citizen to emigrate to the country of his choice,
and ending on the date on which the President determines that such country is no longer in violation of paragraph (1), (2), or (3).
The Soviet Union would retaliate by increasing military aid to North Vietnam.
250 square miles of the Grand Canyon National Monument was deeded back to the Havasupai people, while enlarging the part by 687,000 acres.
Danica McKellar, who became famous as child and then teenage actress for her role in The Wonder Years, was born. The series was set in the years 1968 to 1973 and ran from 1988 to 1993.
Last edition:
Wednesday, January 1, 1975. Cutting off Phnom Penh.
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
Sunday, December 24, 1944. The high water mark of the German offensive.
He was air commander and leader of more than 2,000 heavy bombers in a strike against German airfields on 24 December 1944. En route to the target, the failure of 1 engine forced him to relinquish his place at the head of the formation. In order not to endanger friendly troops on the ground below, he refused to jettison his bombs to gain speed maneuverability. His lagging, unescorted aircraft became the target of numerous enemy fighters which ripped the left wing with cannon shells, set the oxygen system afire, and wounded 2 members of the crew. Repeated attacks started fires in 2 engines, leaving the Flying Fortress in imminent danger of exploding. Realizing the hopelessness of the situation, the bail-out order was given. Without regard for his personal safety he gallantly remained alone at the controls to afford all other crewmembers an opportunity to escape. Still another attack exploded gasoline tanks in the right wing, and the bomber plunged earthward, carrying Gen. Castle to his death. His intrepidity and willing sacrifice of his life to save members of the crew were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service.
Sunday, November 3, 2024
Tuesday, November 3, 1874. The Election Massacre of 1874.
The Election Massacre of 1874 (Coup of 1874) near Eufaula, Alabama when the White League killed between estimated 15-40 black voters and wounded 70 and drove away more than 1,000 unarmed black people at the polls, hijacking the election in a majority black community.
Last edition:
Sunday, November 1, 1874. The Battle of Sunset Pass
Thursday, October 24, 2024
Saturday, October 24, 1874. Domestic terrorists.
October 24, 1874 political cartoon by Thomas Nast decrying the alliance between the White League and the Ku Klux Klan in the South.
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Monday, September 28, 1874. The Battle of Palo Duro Canyon.
Sunday, September 22, 2024
Thursday, September 22, 1774. ""it always appeared a most iniquitous scheme to me to fight ourselves for what we are daily robbing and plundering from those who have as good a right to freedom as we have."
Sunday, September 15, 2024
Monday, September 15, 1874. Grant addresses the situation in Louisiana. Treaty No. 4.
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Whereas it has been satisfactorily represented to me that turbulent and disorderly persons have combined together with force and arms to overthrow the State government of Louisiana and to resist the laws and constituted authorities of said State: and
Whereas it is provided in the Constitution of the United States that the United States shall protect every State in this Union, on application of the legislature, or of the executive when the legislature can not be convened, against domestic violence; and
Whereas it is provided in the laws of the United States that in all cases of insurrection in any State or of obstruction to the laws thereof it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, on application of the legislature of such State, or of the executive when the legislature can not be convened, to call forth the militia of any other State or States, or to employ such part of the land and naval forces as shall be judged necessary, for the purpose of suppressing such insurrection or causing the laws to be duly executed; and
Whereas the legislature of said State is not now in session and can not be convened in time to meet the present emergency, and the executive of said State, under section 4 of Article IV of the Constitution of the United States and the laws passed in pursuance thereof, has therefore made application to me for such part of the military force of the United States as may be necessary and adequate to protect said State and the citizens thereof against domestic violence and to enforce the due execution of the laws; and
Whereas it is required that whenever it may be necessary, in the judgment of the President, to use the military force for the purpose aforesaid, he shall forthwith, by proclamation, command such insurgents to disperse and retire peaceably to their respective homes within a limited time.
Now, therefore, I, Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States, do hereby make proclamation and command said turbulent and disorderly persons to disperse and retire peaceably to their respective abodes within five days from this date, and hereafter to submit themselves to the laws and constituted authorities of said State; and I invoke the aid and cooperation of all good citizens thereof to uphold law and preserve the public peace.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.
Done at the city of Washington, this 15th day of September, A.D. 1874, and of the Independence of the United States the ninety-ninth.
U.S. GRANT.
By the President:
HAMILTON FISH, Secretary of State.
Treaty No. 4 was signed between the Cree and Saulteaux and the Crown in Canada.
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Sunday, September 14, 1874. Battle of Liberty Place.
Saturday, September 14, 2024
Sunday, September 14, 1874. Battle of Liberty Place.
An attempted racist coup took place in New Orleans by the Crescent City White League . 5,000 members of the white Confederate veterans militia fought the racially integrated New Orleans Metropolitan Police and state militia in what became known as the Battle of Liberty Place.
After three days of fighting pending intervention by Federal troops caused the white rats to withdraw.
Being in the U.S. Army during these days must have been really something else. Reconstruction duty in the South, Indian Wars in the West.
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Saturday, September 12, 1874. Battle of Buffalo Wallow
Monday, August 26, 2024
Wednesday, August 26, 1874. Lynching black suspects and violating the Second Amendment.
A mob of white men broke into the Gibson County, Tennessee Jail, in Treton and lynched sixteen black prisoners.
They had been accused of shooting two white men.
The following day the Mayor of Trenton ordered the firearms of all of Trenton's black residents confiscated, under pain of death, a clearly unconstitutional action.
Things like this, and the event of the day prior, help demonstrate the value of the Second Amendment.
The National Rifle Association, fwiw, was formed just three years prior, but at that time principally engaged in promoting marksmanship.
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