America's Trump leads himself to defeat against an invisible intruder from China ...

The Pacific War ended with two atom bombs over Japan ...

Churchill, God and the Bomb

Although brought up in the Anglican tradition, by his early twenties Churchill was expressing views which, if not atheistic, were in conflict with the doctrinal tenets of Christianity. As a subaltern in India in 1897-98, he wrote to his mother of his hopes for a future in which 'science and reason' triumphed over religious superstition. If he fell in battle, he advised her to seek out 'the consolations of philosophy' and added, apparently conclusively, that 'I do not accept the Christian or any other form of religious belief'.

In the upheaval of British politics, the Churchill government faced defeat as the Big Three met in Potsdam in July 1945. New PM Attlee came to Potsdam and replaced Churchill ...

The Potsdam Conference, 1945

In the early years as NATO was established, under British leadership, the focus to prevent a German resurgence was adjusted to fight Communism and the Soviet Union. The new US weapon not only split the atom, but also the Allied Forces united in defeat of Fascism.

Key words WWII peace talks | Crimea | Teheran | Stalingrad turning point in War |

'Sapere aude'

The Potsdam Conference, 1945

1. The Big Three--Soviet leader Joseph Stalin, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill (replaced on July 26 by Prime Minister Clement Attlee), and U.S. President Harry Truman--met in Potsdam, Germany, from July 17 to August 2, 1945, to negotiate terms for the end of World War II.

2. One of the most controversial matters addressed at the Potsdam Conference dealt with the revision of the German-Soviet-Polish borders and the expulsion of several million Germans from the disputed territories. In exchange for the territory it lost to the Soviet Union following the readjustment of the Soviet-Polish border, Poland received a large swath of German territory and began to deport the German residents of the territories in question, as did other nations that were host to large German minority populations.

3. The Potsdam Conference is perhaps best known for President Truman's July 24, 1945 conversation with Stalin, during which time the President informed the Soviet leader that the United States had successfully detonated the first atomic bomb on July 16, 1945.

The Battleship Missouri and the Trumans

When the Japanese delegation came on board the ship to sign the terms of surrender on 2 September 1945, few if any of the sailors and allied dignitaries on deck realized how the site was selected. Here's what happened.

MacArthur vs. Truman: The Showdown That Changed America

'Sapere aude'

WATCH: Prime Minister Winston Churchill's message to the nation and the commonwealth on Victory in Europe (VE) Day, 8 May 1945. [_link]

— UK Prime Minister (@10DowningStreet) May 8, 2020

"If you feel nothing, you're not human. And in the end we're all human." #VEDay75 [_link]

— National Geographic (@NatGeo) May 8, 2020

On #VEDay75, we stand together to reflect on our shared history and remember all those who served as a force for freedom against Nazi and fascist aggression. Now, as then, we are stronger when we stand together. #VE75andCounting pic.twitter.com/RXJdcMAZts

— Department of State (@StateDept) May 8, 2020

Stalingrad, the Turning Point of World War II in Europe - February 1943

Three quarters of a century ago, the most famous battle of the Second World War began. More than four million combatants fought in the gargantuan struggle at Stalingrad between the Nazi and Soviet armies. Over 1.8 million became casualties. More Soviet soldiers died in the five-month battle than Americans in the entire war. But by February 2, 1943, when the Germans trapped in the city surrendered, it was clear that the momentum on the Eastern Front had shifted. The Germans would never fully recover.

Battle of Stalingrad in colour, 75 years on | Daily Mail |

Stalingrad: Turning Point of World War II in Europe | Smithsonian |

Stalingrad marked the turning point of the Soviet-German War, a conflict that dwarfed the 1944-45 Allied campaign in Western Europe both in numbers and ferocity. But Stalingrad's outcome was not pre-ordained. On many occasions, Hitler and his generals might well have avoided or mitigated the disaster, while Stalin and his commanders initially considered their own counteroffensive there as secondary to a main effort elsewhere.

It evolved into a months-long battle in urban factory cellars and apartment hallways, fought mostly for the prestige of the two nations' leaders--one determined to take the city of Stalingrad at all costs, and the other to defend it to the last. It ended with the encirclement and annihilation of an entire German army of 250,000 men.

A timely, professionally written longread by @CarleyJabara - one of the best Canadian #WWII historians - on this year's #VictoryDay #LestWeForget [_link] pic.twitter.com/9sncOT2bow

— Russia in Canada (@RussianEmbassyC) May 8, 2020

Radio broadcasts from the days leading up to V-E Day give a fascinating insight into thoughts, concerns and celebrations as the war in Europe came to an end. Listen to broadcasts pulled from May 4 - May 8, 1945 for a tiny peek into history. #victory75[_link]

— National WWII Museum (@WWIImuseum) May 8, 2020

Vladimir Putin held a meeting with permanent members of the Security Council by videoconference [_link] pic.twitter.com/x4cqCqVzYp

— President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) May 8, 2020

Telephone conversation with Prime Minister of Great Britain Boris Johnson: #Victory75, international affairs [_link]

— President of Russia (@KremlinRussia_E) May 8, 2020

The Prime Minister spoke to President Putin today to mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day

They paid tribute to the collaboration between British and Russian forces during the Second World War, including through the Arctic convoys, and to the heroism and sacrifice of all those who lost their lives.

....
The Prime Minister invited President Putin to take part in the Global Vaccine Summit that the UK will host virtually in June, to strengthen healthcare systems and tackle coronavirus in some of the world's poorest countries.

While the arrest of 2 suspects in the shooting of Ahmaud Arbery is a critical step towards justice, the question that needs to be asked is why it seemingly took months, the release of a video and corresponding public outrage to catalyze action.

.⁦@GBI_GA⁩ Director Reynolds has offered resources & manpower to D.A. Durden to ensure a thorough, independent investigation into the death of #AhmaudArbery. Georgians deserve answers. State law enforcement stands ready to ensure justice is served. [_link]

— Governor Brian P. Kemp (@GovKemp) May 6, 2020

○ Father and son charged with murdering Ahmaud Arbery in Georgia

Pass A Hate Crimes Law So Blue Lives Matter Too

According to ABC News, it's not just a one-year exception. In 2018, 47.2 percent of felony law enforcement killings were in the South. And in 2017, more than half of all law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty were murdered in the South, according to FBI data.

Zammit Tabona resigns as ambassador after comparing Merkel to Hitler [_link] pic.twitter.com/QCgXyupbX1

— MaltaToday (@maltatoday) May 10, 2020

"The Sea Giveth and Taketh."
Hollands Glorie

Rescue workers spot fifth body in Scheveningen surfing tragedy |  Dutch News |

Dutch national media confirms the search for more potential victims in Scheveningen continues. Here are more detailed photos of the boards recovered, if you recognise one of yours please get in touch with authorities and/or the number on screen pic.twitter.com/yBdZGSMP1K

— Gianni Verschueren (@ReverschPass) May 12, 2020