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circa 1941
Unknown
[Burning aircraft carrier flying American flag]
Color image of a burning aircraft carrier flying American flag. Additional American vessel in foreground. Japanese text in caption on right hand side.
GLC09552.09
8 December 1941
Hirohito, Emperor of Japan (1901-1989)
Declaration of War against the United States and Britain [in Japanese]
Imperial rescript of the Declaration of War declared on the United States and Great Britain on the Japanese date 16th year of Showa, 12th month. " ... we, the emperor, have now declared war upon the United States of America and Great Britain. The...
GLC01415
14 July 1944
Weiner, Morris "Moe" (1909-1988)
to Sylvia Weiner
Moe is surprised that Sylvia's father is keeping her brother in the dark about his condition. He writes that he hopes the American public will wake up now and realize they are at war. He is glad the Warsaw battle did not go unnoticed.
GLC09414.1140
30 November 1943
Moe writes about the meeting of British American Circle whose job it is to foster good relations between the American soldiers and the British people.
GLC09414.0838
7 December 1943
Moe described the British American Circle meeting he attended and recounts a presentation given by Prof Newell, an American who has been living in England for 12 years.
GLC09414.0849
26 September 1942
Diamond, Sidney (1922-1945)
to Estelle Spero
Diamond describes a visit by South American dignitaries.
GLC09120.108
circa. early summer 1942
Letter written while Diamond is on guard duty. Discusses differences between the treatment of black and white soldiers. Diamond mentions that he is being trained as a communications and staff man, and what this role will entail. He also outlines...
GLC09120.040
27 April 1945
Weiner, Sylvia (1912-2008)
to Morris "Moe" Weiner
Sylvia heard that the American allies and the Russians have met.
GLC09414.0580
24 December 1943
Moe reports that last evening they went by truck to a town to celebrate the Festival of the Maccabees, or Chanukah. There were American and British soldiers participating and the ceremonies were presided over by an American and British chaplain.
GLC09414.0872
9 August 1945
Moe just heard the news that Russia will be entering the war. With their entry and the atomic bomb, it is a dead certainty the war will end soon.
GLC09414.1474
23 October 1944
Sylvia mentions Russia's role in the war.
GLC09414.0418
10 August 1945
to "Moe" Weiner
Sylvia notes the end of the war.
GLC09414.0667
6 June 1943
Ben, who had been overseas, told them about how cocky the German prisoners of war were and that they were going to win the war and bomb New York City. Reports to him about family and how much she misses him.
GLC09414.0059
20 October 1944
Sylvia discusses a Post War Planning Meeting she attended.
GLC09414.0415
5 August 1945
Sylvia explains the kind of work she is currently doing with American citizens who return to their native countries, like the Japanese-Americans they are currently caring for.
GLC09414.0662
18 July 1944
Moe thinks back to how the war began. When reports of Italian and German intervention first came out, everyone cried "Propaganda." He laments the fact that if only proper steps could have been taken at the proper time, the war could have been...
GLC09414.1144
1 January 1944
Moe asks Sylvia to think back to New Year's Day 1937 when Chiang Kai-Shek was kidnapped. No one knew that later that year the war with Japan would start. It was "one of the unexpected milestones" to war and to his being there.
GLC09414.0899
8 August 1944
Sylvia talks of politics from America to Europe, including Russia's role in the war.
GLC09414.0346
26 December 1944
Sylvia writes that she is worried by all the news she reads about the war.
GLC09414.0475
Responds to a series of comments that Estelle had raised in a previous letter. Speaks about a "friend" of Sidney's who has attempted to date Estelle. Also discusses another friend who did not enlist and managed to acquire $2000 somehow. Instructs...
GLC09120.042
9 June 1942
Discusses the chore of guarding the guardhouse, and the lack of US military success in the war so far.
GLC09120.029
27 July 1942
Diamond describes his day to Estelle, which has consisted of a lecture concerned with military discipline and courtesy, a session on first aid, a sessopn relating to the identification of American and German aircrafts and a session on drilling.
GLC09120.076
4 January 1939
Roosevelt, Franklin D. (1882-1945)
[State of the Union Message]
Signed at end, inscribed to Lillian Wald, and signed at top of first page. Speech to Congress warns of the impending war and mentions his worries that fascism and war might attack freedom of religion. "Storms from abroad directly challenge three...
GLC03181.01
2 October 1944
Sylvia describes English, Chinese, and Russian War Relief debt items. She also responds to Moe's letters.
GLC09414.0399
16 August 1945
Sylvia describes the revelry that is taking place now that the war is over. This letter is missing pages
GLC09414.0671
15 August 1945
Mae says it is all over except for the signing. He listened to the radio about the various celebrations in American cities. He also tried to get a furlough to Paris but failed, he will try to get a different furlough somewhere else next week.
GLC09414.1480
25 April 1945
Sylvia talks of how she has adapted to living with her mother again, she mentions Hitler and the war. She also talked to Sara Tatt.
GLC09414.0579
7 December 1944
Moe reflects on how long they have been at war. It is the fourth year for the U.S. but it has been even longer for the other countries participating.
GLC09414.1280
6 January 1945
Moe writes that the Germans are losing their power, though they may try to prolong the war. He says that he enjoyed his years in the Treasury Dept.
GLC09414.1304
21 December 1944
Moe recalled one Christmas with Alfred and Alice, and thinks of Christmas at home versus Christmas in the army. He also says he thinks the war will be prolonged.
GLC09414.1294
25 February 1944
Moe talks about the moon and compares nightlife in New York to nightlife in England. He says the war may end soon but not as soon as people think.
GLC09414.0999
29 June 1945
Moe discusses the prisoners of war he sees guarded by Poles. He says he does not believe in corporal punishment. He thinks they should be forced to do things, all perfectly legal, that are worse than a beating.
GLC09414.1443
17 August 1944
Moe says Marty is under the delusion that the war will end soon. He writes that many of the soldiers are under this same delusion, and that he will try to find Frank Mooney.
GLC09414.1172
7 May 1945
V.E. Day- Moe says he is preparing for the parade tomorrow. He writes that it will be very hot tomorrow, also says they will now be entering another phase of war.
GLC09414.1400
2 July 1944
Diamond, Sidney (1925-1945)
Diamond informs Estelle he has just been appointed Company orientation officer, a position that entails preparing lectures and aid in making the "American soldier the best informed soldier in the world." He writes that the topic for the following...
GLC09120.447
2 March 1945
This note is within a card that features a Russian couple in traditional costume. The card was "Produced for Russian War Relief, Inc." Within the note Sylvia thanks Moe for the perfume he sent her again.
GLC09414.0530
30 April 1945
Moe says he went to the opera, and the next night went to Madame Signiur. They found her husband there, home for first time in five years after being a prisoner of war in Germany. He enclosed a sprig of Lily of the Valley.
GLC09414.1392
25 March 1945
Moe is reminded of the 2 weeks Sylvia spent at Nevele when she was recuperating. He notes that the last phase of the war in Germany has begun. He also sent her another package of toiletries.
GLC09414.1362
27 March 1945
Moe reports that he saw a film that wasn't that great, though he liked the playing of Chopin in it. The news about the war continues to be the best as the German defenses are crumbling.
GLC09414.1364
Moe recalls the Sunday afternoon war was declared. They took a walk with Paul and Bess and walked near Manhattan Beach, then turned on the radio to find out the news that would change the course of their lives.
GLC09414.0851
31 December 1943
Moe agrees with Sylvia that the war is pointing toward the end. He reassures her that he is in no danger. He and the boys decided to have a party at home after all, after first having a few beers in town.
GLC09414.0897
31 August 1944
Moe writes that it is looking more and more probable that the war will soon end. He says that the bells are ringing to celebrate the liberation of Paris. He remembers one evening shortly before the fall of France with Alice and Al.
GLC09414.1179
24 May 1945
Moe names the event in 1931 that precipitated the war. He says that the only thing that has changed is that their love has grown stronger. HE also mentions seeing a play that night (Anything Goes), and playing ping pong.
GLC09414.1416
15 November 1945
Truman, Harry S. (1884-1972)
Statement by the President
Signed and corrected by Truman. Honors the tenth anniversary of the Philippine commonwealth. Praises the Filipino people and notes the ordeals they experienced during World War II and the Japanese occupation. Remarks that they "are spiritually...
GLC01683
14 May 1943
Sylvia was able to get 9 gallons of gasoline. Gives Moe family news. Says one phase of the war is over, perhaps it will all be over soon. Is planning to take a full month's vacation to go West and see him.
GLC09414.0033
15 July 1944
Moe continues his quest for a decent shower. He responds to Sylvia's letter about the Ouija board by saying it's just another way of seeking answers in the occult when reality gets too tough. As to the end of the war, he says it could any time.
GLC09414.1141
17 August 1945
Moe read that realistically it may take 3 or 4 months to go home now that the war is over. He likes Sylvia telling him that her mother tried to talk to her as she was writing, and that she said Hanto, the Japanese word for Good Night.
GLC09414.1482
30 May 1943
Moe's roommates are on a date so he is free to write to Sylvia. He said they have not yet given out ratings in their platoon, but when they do he hopes he will be made a T-4. He believes more soldiers should be educated as to what this war is about.
GLC09414.0714
27 July 1945
Moe began listening to the news for the first time since V.E. Day. He learned that England is taking a change in direction and getting more in step with the other nations. He also learned that for the first time since the war, Japan is willing to...
GLC09414.1462
September 1942
Diamond outlines his day for Estelle - watching a series of films on defense against mechanized war agents, sitting through a lecture on sex hygiene, participating in a dismounted foot drill, two hours of instruction in basic signal communication...
GLC09120.104
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