FDR on Pearl Harbor: "A date which will live in infamy"

By Michelle Shocklee

Aerial view of Pearl Harbor

On December 7, 1941, the United States of America was attacked by the Empire of Japan at Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii.

It's hard to imagine, isn't it? Japan attacking America. I didn't have a loved one in Pearl Harbor, but my dad was a young man and joined the Air Force shortly afterwards. He served as a Turret Gunner on B-17's over Europe, flying fifty missions and witnessing things he never wanted to talk about. I'm awfully proud of him and all the other brave men and women who answered the call to arms after that terrible day in Hawaii.

One thing that took place the day after the attack, on December 8, 1941, has long been of interest to me.

FDR's speech.

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt served in office from 1933 until his death in 1945. He directed the federal government during most of the Great Depression, implementing his New Deal domestic agenda in response to the worst economic crisis in U.S. history. Prior to being elected president, he served as a senator for the state of New York, governor of New York, and was the Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President Woodrow Wilson.

In 1921, FDR contracted a paralytic illness, believed at the time to be polio, and his legs became permanently paralyzed.

By 1941, with his recent re-election to a third term in office, FDR was determined to keep the United States out of war. He gave strong diplomatic and financial support to China, the United Kingdom, and eventually the Soviet Union, but kept the U.S. officially neutral despite Prime Minister Winston Churchill's urging for the U.S. to declare war on Germany.

All of that changed on December 7, 1941.

A first draft of the speech with FDR's changes

Incensed by FDR's support of China and his oil embargo against Japan, Japanese leaders began formulating an attack against the United States. The horrific events at Pearl Harbor was the result, where 2,403 American servicemen and civilians died. The president took to the airwaves the next day, giving a speech before Congress that lasted a little over seven minutes but would go down in history as one of the most important speeches of all time.

"Mr. Vice President, and Mr. Speaker, and Members of the Senate and House of Representatives:Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."

I can't imagine listening to this news, huddled around a radio with my family.

He went on to say, "The attack yesterday on the Hawaiian Islands has caused severe damage to American naval and military forces. I regret to tell you that very many American lives have been lost. In addition American ships have been reported torpedoed on the high seas between San Francisco and Honolulu."

The last lines of his speech give me chills.

"Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces—with the unbounding determination of our people—we will gain the inevitable triumph- so help us God. I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire."

FDR signing the declaration of war against Japan.

The rest, as they say, is history.

Your turn: Did any of your family members serve in WWII? Tell me about them!



                                                                                                           Michelle Shocklee is the award-winning author of The Planter's Daughter and The Widow of Rose Hill, historical sagas set on a Texas cotton plantation before and after the Civil War. Her NEW historical time-slip novel set in Nashville will release in September 2020 from Tyndale Publishers Inc. STAY TUNED!  Michelle and her husband of 32 years make their home in Tennessee. Connect with her at www.MichelleShocklee.com.

THE WIDOW OF ROSE HILL

Widowed during the war, Natalie Ellis finds herself solely responsible for Rose Hill plantation. When Union troops arrive with a proclamation freeing the slaves, all seems lost. How can she run the plantation without slaves? In order to save her son’s inheritance she strikes a deal with the arrogant, albeit handsome, Colonel Maish. In exchange for use of her family’s property, the army will provide workers to bring in her cotton crop. But as her admiration for the colonel grows, a shocking secret is uncovered. Can she trust him with her heart and her young, fatherless son?

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078CN65FH/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i0

Outside the White House: History of the Swimming Pools

Historically, numerous American presidents enjoyed swimming for exercise, from John Quincy Adams (in the Potomac each morning!) to Teddy Roosevelt to Ronald Reagan. It wasn't until 1933, however, that presidents could swim at the White House. 

At the time, President Franklin D. Roosevelt often swam as therapy for his poliomyelitis, but had to wait until he vacationed at home in New York or in Warm Springs, Georgia. 

FDR in Warm Springs, GA, 1930. Public Domain.

In March of 1933, the New York Daily News proposed a campaign to raise money to build President Franklin Roosevelt a pool. It was a success, and the indoor pool was completed by June 2, replacing laundry rooms inside the west gallery, between the White House and the West Wing.

French doors opened into the Rose Garden, and rows of half-moon windows illuminated the rectangular pool. He used it, sometimes several times a day.

Later presidents enjoyed swimming, as well. Harry Truman  used the pool for exercise, wearing his glasses as he swam! John F. Kennedy used the pool at least twice a day to help alleviate his back pain, once at noon and once before dinner. Kennedy's father paid for a large mural painted on three of the room's walls of a Caribbean scene (painted by Bernard Lamotte).

Artist Bernard Lamotte puts the final touches on his mural depicting Christiansted Harbor in St. Croix, Virgin Islands. Swimming Pool, White House, Washington, D.C. Public Domain. Robert Knudsen. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston

During the Johnson's time in the White House, guests were welcome to dip into the pool. Swimsuits of all sizes were hung on the walls, ready to be worn. However, Johnson was known to swim without a suit, much to visitors' surprise.

Richard Nixon was not a swimmer, however, and by his administration, the White House had need of a press briefing room to accommodate television. The pool was covered to make room for the press, and today we know this room as the James S. Brady Press Briefing Room (in honor of President Reagan's Press Secretary who was wounded during the assassination attempt on Reagan's life.) Interestingly, the podium is directly over the deep end of the pool.

The mural remains in the basement below the Press Room, and it has been autographed by famous visitors over the years, from First Lady Laura Bush to boxer Sugar Ray Leonard.

When Gerald Ford came into office, he yearned to swim for exercise. He considered moving the press, but decided against it and in 1975, he had an outdoor pool and cabana built. The cabana contains showers, changing rooms, and an underground passageway that leads to the West Wing.

President Ford takes his first dip in the new pool, 1975. Public Domain.

Right away, Ford's son took scuba lessons in the pool. During the Carter administration, first daughter Amy practiced diving here, and during George H. W. Bush's tenure, First Lady Barbara Bush made frequent use of the pool.

White House Swimming Pool, 1992. Public Domain.

In 2002, the cabana was renovated to help with energy efficiency in the White House. More windows were added and solar panels were placed on top. 

Clearly, the White House pools have offered a form of exercise and relaxation to numerous presidents and their families through the years. 

**

Susanne Dietze is a RWA RITA-nominated author of over fifteen romances. You can learn more about her on her website, www.susannedietze.com

Enduring the Great Depression

Hard times are a part of life. We endure family difficulties, financial hardships, emotional and spiritual dry times—we all have rough periods in life. But from 1929 to 1939, a particularly hard era fell over the United States that effected almost all Americans. This was the time of the Great Depression.

During the 1920’s, leading up to the Great Depression, the economy in the United States more than doubled. The U.S. went through a time of abundant expansion and prosperity, thus the term “the roaring twenties”. During this period, the stock market became the “gold rush” of the new century as everyone from the super-rich to the average working Joe invested in the market with the hope of multiplying their money without lifting a finger to do so. Unfortunately, it was too much too fast and the foundation of the economy—our working class, began to slow down. Eventually, an unbalanced economy led to the great stock market crash of 1929.

Unemployment line. (commons.wikimedia.org) 

Following the market crash, the average American spiraled into economic hardship, and by 1932 over twenty percent of the U.S. population was unemployed. Many lost their homes and were forced to live in shantytowns, each cynically named Hooverville after the hugely unpopular president (President Herbert Hoover) blamed for the depression. Others became masters of frugality. Learning to save on electricity, food, fuel, and living expenses in general.     

One way the typical, non-working 

Depression family (en.wikipedia.org)

housewife could help save a few dollars for her family was to create new recipes using common, less expensive items. These new dishes had fewer ingredients and were filling and nutritious. Even the 1932, newly elected President Roosevelt’s Whitehouse participated in frugal meals.

Though my parents were born long after the depression, many of the meals they prepare for us had roots in the depression era. One is a simple but favorite meal in my youth.


Fried potatoes and hotdogs. Also called The Poor Man’s Meal

Peel and slice thin, four russet potatoes.
Peel and slice thin, one yellow onion.
Slice six hotdogs into coin style pieces.
Fry potatoes and onions in oil until browned. Add hot dogs and cook until desired doneness. Serves four. (My dad would add a couple eggs to this mixture for a breakfast treat.)

Hotdogs were a cheap meat product and widely used in the 1930’s. This meal would feed a family for pennies.
 

We also often ate creamed peas. I’ve learned that during the depression this dish was served over toast for a lunchtime meal.


Creamed Peas

Heat one can of peas (including liquid) until hot but not boiling. Add two to four tablespoons of flour and stir until thick. Serves over toast or as a side dish. Serves four.

Plum pudding was served in the Whitehouse during FDR’s terms. Here is a recipe from my Grandma Whitham.

Plum Pudding

Pit and chop about a half pound of prunes. Place them in a sauce pan and cover (about an inch over) with water. Cover and bring prunes and water to a boil. Add about a half cup of sugar and a half teaspoon of cinnamon. Then gently simmer the mixture for about thirty minutes or until prunes are soft. Remove from heat. Lastly, mix three tablespoons of cornstarch with two tablespoons of cold water and add to slightly cooled prune mixture. Return to low heat for five minutes or until desired thickness is obtained. Eat warm or refrigerate to cool. Serves four.

People have a way for making due when times get tough and some of those habits die hard. In my case, the recipes shared here survived three generations and will probably go on to the fourth.

Do you have any family meals that have been handed down from generation to generation? Would you share them in the comments?

Thank you for joining me here at Heroes, Heroines and History today. Have a wonderful blessed month until we meet again.


 

Multi award-winning author, Michele K. Morris’s love for historical fiction began when she first read Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House book series. She grew up riding horses and spending her free time in the woods of mid-Michigan. Married to her high school sweetheart, they are living happily-ever-after with their six children, three in-loves, and ten grandchildren in Florida, the sunshine state. Michele loves to hear from readers on Facebook, Twitter, and here through the group blog, Heroes, Heroines, and History at HHHistory.com.
Michele is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency.

How Tall Were Our Historical Heroes?

This past week, I watched an interesting show on National Geographic Channel about one married couple’s attempts to authenticate an old tintype photograph they’d bought which they believed to depict Billy The Kid and a few of the Regulators playing, of all things, croquet. Perhaps you’ve heard stories about this “new discovery” (a few years old now)—or even watched the show. I won’t take the time to rehash the details in the 2-hour episode. Nor is my intent to debate whether the photograph truly doesdepict these famous figures out of Old West lore. There is debate about the validity of the claim. So if you’d like to read a detailed account of whether this photograph truly is “the real McCoy” in Billy The Kid memorabilia, please look at the thorough article done by True West Magazine. 

Old Tintype photograph that is rumored to depict Billy The Kid
and several of the Regulators

I found many of the details presented in the show to be a fascinating view into how one goes about authenticating antiques and other memorabilia. One such detail was how the facial recognition specialist hired to compare the new image to the only known one of William Bonney, then used the croquet mallet held by the supposed “Billy” to figure the man’s height. (Just a note, in the above-referenced article, they poke holes in the specialist’s assertion that there was a standard length for croquet mallets in that time period, so his math could be wrong). But, regardless, I found it interesting to see them estimate the supposed “Billy” figure’s height to be 5’8” tall, which, lo and behold, is the height recorded for the real Billy The Kid in history.

Close-up of the "Billy" figure, holding a
croquet mallet.

Hmmm. Billy The Kid was just 5’8”? He wasn’t much taller than me. Certainly not a very imposing figure for such a notorious outlaw. This got me to wondering about other historic figures and how tall they were. As is often the case, when I get curious, you get to benefit from my questions.

So how tall were the people from our past?

The general who led us through the Revolutionary War and who later become the first President of the United States, George Washington, stood at 6’2” tall. His wife, Martha, was a mere 5’ tall.

Martha and George Washington

Our 16^thPresident, Abraham Lincoln, was the tallest of our nation’s leaders, topping the height scale at 6’4” tall. His wife Mary Todd Lincoln, was another slight-of-stature woman at 5’2”.

Mary Todd Lincoln and President Abraham Lincoln

Interestingly, our shortest president was the fourth, James Madison, who stood only 5’4” tall, but was “dwarfed” by his above-average wife, Dolley, who stood 5’7” tall.

President James Madison and his tall wife Dolley.

General Robert E. Lee, who led the Confederate Army during the Civil War, stood 5’8” tall.

General Robert E. Lee

General Ulysses S. Grant, who led the Union forces in the same war—then went on to become our 18^thpresident—also topped out at 5’8”. 

General Ulysses S. Grant

Famed Old West lawman Wyatt Earp stood 6’ tall.

Lawman Wyatt Earp

Wild Bill Hickok, who worked many jobs in the Old West, including soldier, spy, wagon master, lawman, gunfighter, and actor, among other things, had a height of 6’ even.

Wild Bill Hickok

Martha Jane Canary, better known as Calamity Jane, doesn’t have a recorded height that I could find, but she was tall for a woman, strong like a man, and quite a character in every sense of the word.

Martha Jane Canary, also known as
Calamity Jane

Western sharpshooter, Annie Oakley, was all of 5’ tall.

Annie Oakley, famed sharshooter

What about more recent historical figures?

Longest-serving president Franklin D. Roosevelt, who presided over the country when Pearl Harbor was attacked, stood 6’2” tall, though few got to see his impressive height. He was stricken with polio, rendering him paralyzed from the waist down. He served as president from a wheelchair, the only disabled president of our country.

President Franklin D Roosevelt

Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill during the second World War was a mere 5’6”.

Winston Churchill

I found conflicting reports on Adolf Hitler, the leader of the Nazis during World War II, which said he was 5’8 or 5’9”.

Adolf Hitler

Five-star general Douglas MacArthur, who played a major role in the Pacific theater of World War II, was 6’ tall. Emperor Hirohito, who was leader of Japan during the Occupation of Japan, stood 5’5”.

General Douglas MacArthur standing next to
Japanese Emperor Hirohito

And since our current president, Donald Trump, and his wife Melania, just visited England and met with the Queen, I thought I’d look up their respective heights. Donald Trump is 6’3”. Melania is 5’11”. And Queen Elizabeth of England is 5’4” tall. I found the photos taken during that visit to be cute. (Due to copyright laws, I can’t repost, but you can see them here).

It’s Your Turn:

Do you enjoy knowing the heights of historical figures? Why or why not?

Jennifer Uhlarikdiscovered the western genre as a pre-teen when she swiped the only “horse” book she found on her older brother’s bookshelf. A new love was born. Across the next ten years, she devoured Louis L’Amour westerns and fell in love with the genre. In college at the University of Tampa, she began penning her own story of the Old West. Armed with a B.A. in writing, she has finaled and won in numerous writing competitions, and been on the ECPA best-seller list numerous times. In addition to writing, she has held jobs as a private business owner, a schoolteacher, a marketing director, and her favorite—a full-time homemaker. Jennifer is active in American Christian Fiction Writers and lifetime member of the Florida Writers Association. She lives near Tampa, Florida, with her husband, college-aged son, and four fur children.

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During the 1930’s, the United States was in the pit of The Great Depression. In 1932, one-third of Americans were out of work. In big cities, fifty percent were jobless. President Franklin Roosevelt’s Work Progress Administration helped to alleviate the country’s unemployment by creating jobs. One part of the WPA was the formation of the Federal Writers' Project, part of a program for the arts, also called Federal One. The project provided employment for historians, teachers, writers, librarians, and other white-collar workers.

The initial purpose of the project was to produce a series of sectional guide books under the name American Guide series, focusing on the scenic, historical, cultural, and economic resources of the United States.

Some 6000 individuals were employed by the FWP, including archaeologists, geologists and cartographers. The most well-known publications produced by the FWP were the 48 state guides to America. In each state, a Writer’s Project staff of editors worked with a larger group of field workers.

Each guide book was comprised of essays, folklore, farming and industry information and maps. Descriptions of places and tales of local history were included. In an effort to gather such information, the writers interviewed thousands of people who shared their own personal stories. The plight of sharecroppers, migrants, minorities, and others affected by the depression were honestly told and documented by writers who tried to give an authentic picture of the culture. John Steinbeck’s book The Grapes of Wrath was inspired by these stories.

In the 1930’s, 100,000 former slaves were still living. Interviews and photos collected from 2300 of them became a specialized volume called the Slave Narrative Collection.

A few state governors took offense at the guide books of their states which revealed unflattering aspects and tried to stop them from further publication. In addition, the president’s projects faced criticism from conservatives who especially targeted the FWP as a waste of money. As war erupted around the world, some congressmen warned that subversives had infiltrated the U.S. and the House Committee on Un-American Activities was formed. Several writers employed by the Writers Project were under fire for writing material that was unfavorable to the country.

The Federal Writers Project ended in 1939, and when the U.S. entered World War II in Dec., 1941, unemployment was no longer a problem. Some states continued the Writers Project with their own funds until 1943.

These “uncommon stories of common people” were stored away for many years, but now they can be accessed via the Internet now through Library of Congress Federal Writers Project Information: http://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/newdeal/fwp.html.

***Thanks to author Lisa Wingate, I learned about the Federal Writers Project. Her latest release, The Seakeeper's Daughters, gives wonderful insight into the lives of these writers. Leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of the book.***

A multi-published author, Marilyn Turk writes historical fiction about the coastal South. Her fascination for lighthouses spawned her popular weekly lighthouse blog @pathwayheart.com, and inspired her upcoming Coastal Lights Legacy series and her Lighthouse Devotions. Her novel, A Gilded Curse, will be released March 2016 from Heritage Beacon Fiction, an imprint of Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas.