December 26, 1941
CHURCHILL ADDRESSES JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS
Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) British Prime Minister Winston Churchill addressed a joint session of the United States Congress today at the Capitol.
Speech to Congress
December 26, 1941
The Prime Minister began his speech with these words:
“I cannot help reflecting that if my father had been American & my mother British instead of the other way round, I might have gotten here on my own.”
“To me the best tidings of all–the United States, united as never before (since the Pearl Harbor attack of Dec 7), has drawn the sword for freedom….”
He reminded the members of Congress that together the United Kingdom & the United States are “facing a group of mighty foes who seek our ruin.”
Then, the Prime Minister concluded his well-received remarks with these words:
“Here we are together, defending all that to free men is dear. I avow my hope & faith….that in the days to come the British & American peoples will….walk together in majesty, in justice & in peace.”
December 26, 1961
YEMEN BREAKS TIES WITH EGYPT
Sana’a, Kingdom of Yemen (JFK+50) The Kingdom of Yemen, which had joined Egypt & Syria in March 1958 to become part of the United Arab Republic, broke ties today with the government of Egypt under Gamel Abdel Nasser.
The Kingdom of Yemen, located in the Middle East, is bordered to the north by Saudi Arabia, to the east by Oman & to the west by the Red Sea.
Map of Yemen
The country is one of the poorest & least developed in the Arab world.
Between 1918 & 1962, Yemen was a monarchy ruled by the Hamidaddin family.*
Sanan’a, Yemen (2009)
Photo by Ferdinand Reus
*Between 1962 & 1970, a civil war was fought & North Yemen became a republic while South Yemen adopted a communist system. The 2 countries were united as the Republic of Yemen in 1990.
In 2011, uprisings sparked by poor economic conditions & governmental corruption broke out in Yemen.
On Nov 23, 2011, President Ali Abdullah Saleh signed an agreement transferring power to his Vice President.
Ali Abdullah Saleh & George W. Bush
White House Photo (2007)
Since then, however, demonstrations & violence have continued.
Embassy of Yemen
2319 Wyoming Ave NW
Washington, D.C. (2010)
Photo by AgnosticPreachersKid
December 26, 1972
“MR. CITIZEN” HARRY S TRUMAN DIES
Independence, Missouri (JFK+50) Former President Harry S Truman died at 7:50 this morning.
Mr. Truman, who retired from the Presidency in January 1953, referred to himself as “Mr. Citizen” of Independence, Missouri.
The former chief executive had been hospitalized since December 4 with lung congestion, heart irregularity, kidney blockages & failure of the digestive system.
Mr. Truman is survived by wife Bess & daughter Margaret.
He will be buried at the Harry S Truman Presidential Library here in Independence.*
*During his visit with President Kennedy at the White House in Jan 1961, Mr. Truman told JFK:
“Within the 1st few months I discovered that being president is like riding a tiger. A man has to keep riding or be swallowed.”
Funeral of President Truman
Truman Presidential Library