On this day in history...

[David Floyd]

On this day in history in 1942, following an appalling lack of readiness leading up to the war, British General Sir Arthur Percival surrendered Singapore and over 80,000 British and Imperial soldiers to the Imperial Japanese Army, which constituted the largest surrender and greatest disaster in British military history. It's only fitting that an emaciated and recently liberated General Sir Arthur Percival helped receive the final Japanese surrender on board the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945, following a complete Anglo-American curbstomp of Japan.

Given that Valentine's Day is over - thank the **** Christ - let's take this opportunity to salute the survivors of Singapore.

[Sava]

uhm. okay

and really? "follow me on twitter" ??

PFFT

[Sava]

from DF's twitter feed:

I have nothing intelligent to add

couldn't agree more

[Ben Kenobi]

Still 100 percent better than Sava's blog.

[PLATO]

Okay History experts. I seem to remember that the Japanese force was on the verge of collapse and bluffed Percival into surrendering. Maybe a History channel special?

What's the real story Poly Historians?

[Aeson]

[Al B. Sure!]

What's the problem with valentines day?

[self biased]

you try finding a date when you have a raging case of libertarianism.

[molly bloom]

Okay History experts. I seem to remember that the Japanese force was on the verge of collapse and bluffed Percival into surrendering. Maybe a History channel special?

What's the real story Poly Historians?

The Japanese were short of supplies- but more importantly they controlled the water supply for Singapore, which, like the rest of the British holdings in Malaya, was woefully underprepared, because of the interwar years' economies and depression.

Also the Japanese had spies in place who had kept them up to date on British unpreparedness and military installations and had access to nearby bases in the Vichy French colonies and in 'neutral' Thailand.

It's all very depressing to read about, as is the pointlessness of sending two ships there without adequate air cover just to be seen to be doing something. Thanks again, Mr. Churchill...

[Uncle Sparky]

On this day - 1933 U.S.A.

A majority of the house had voted for the repeal of the 18th Amendment, which had prohibited the sale and distribution of all alcohol. This occurred after the entire U.S. nation had been dry since the beginning of the 1920s.
The next step after this was to send this 18th Amendment repeal to each of the states of the U.S. for ratification or rejection of the plan to reverse the original decision made as of the passing of this Amendment.