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William Lang narrates the news headlines. The top feature has been the first Christmas not at war, and GI’s were coming home A year of victory.
A middle aged man tells about his sons, some who weren’t coming home. How was it a victorious year for him? The year began with political calls for peace, with a partial speech from FDR. USO entertainers bolstered morale for battle weary Marines, and a hit song written by a sergeant, Get Your Gear On. Tokyo Rose, famous for her demoralizing messages, had the tables turned on her as Marines drew threateningly close to her.
More war news from the Pacific dominated with MacArthur returning to the Philippines. Colored soap bubbles were all the rage in February fads. A conference between Stalin, Churchhill, and Roosevelt seemed to bring success towards peace. Shortly afterward, FDR would send the nation into mourning.
Speeches, and somber news broadcasters describe the depth of emotional loss. Listen as Harry Truman is sworn in on an April day, calling on help from his God, and support from his people.
Goodwill begins spreading among kids and people who are fed up with street fighting. At the same time, leaders in the European Axis began falling, and Germany’s surrender made news. Victory in Europe has crowds going wild.
In mid Summer, an accident takes attention away from the war. A B25 struck the Empire State building. Rare footage of the incident is shared. Dwight Eisenhower returns to report on the UN response to the war. With the war over, Churchhill faces being put out to dry as leader of the UK. Is the world dying, and a new one being born? Reports of the first use of the atomic bomb seem to drive home that point. The bomb is credited to the Japanese decision to surrender, and the success of the bomb is attributed to Jewish scientists who fled Germany, taking technologies with them. Added with the declaration that Russia had declared war on Japan, the surrender came quickly. Heros of V-J Day are immortalized in song Lee, and Halsey, and Nimitz.
Though the conflict has ended, the plans for world peace would take effort. Rebuilding governments of those that had toppled, and attempting to build a global community to avoid future mistakes. Disputes over war torn territories soon sprang up. Is there any real threats that Berlin, the the Nazi party will rise again? Propaganda media clips seem to think so. Are Americans slipping away into oblivious isolationism?
What will we do with the victory over war? By the end of the year of victory, the next war is already being anticipated. An atomic war that will last for only 15 minutes. A house of peace for 1946 and beyond will take effort.
