Jody Victor: Victory over Japan Day, which is also known as Victory in the Pacific Day, V-J Day, or V-P Day the name chosen for the day of the Surrender of Japan. This was the end of WWII and the anniversaries of the celebrations are on this day. The announcement was made on August 14, 1945 in the United States, Western Europe, the Americas, the Pacific Islands, and Australia. But the formal surrender ceremony was not performed until September 2, 1945. 

A little after noon, Japan standard time on August 15, 1945, Emperor Hirohito's announcement of Japan's acceptance of the terms of the Potsdam Declaration was broadcast to the Japanese people over the radio. Earlier the same day, the Japanese government had already broadcast an announcement over Radio Tokyo that "acceptance of the Potsdam Proclamation (would be) coming soon," and had advised the Allies of the surrender by sending a cable to U.S. President Harry S. Truman via the Swiss diplomatic mission in Washington, D.C. A nation-wide broadcast by President Truman was aired at seven o'clock (daylight time in Washington, D.C.) on August 14 announcing the communication and that the formal event was scheduled for September 2nd. In his announcement of Japan's surrender on August 14, President Truman said that "the proclamation of V-J Day must wait upon the formal signing of the surrender terms by Japan." The formal Japanese signing of the surrender terms took place on board the battleship USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945, and at that time Truman declared September 2 to be the official V-J Day.

Since the European Axis Powers had surrendered three months earlier (V-E Day), V-J Day would be the official end of World War II.

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : This week marks the 90th anniversary of women's suffrage or the right of women to vote and run for office in the United Sates. This term is also used for the economic and political reform movement that was aimed at extending these rights to women. This includes no restrictions or qualifications such as property ownership, payment of tax, or marital status.

As a movement, the modern origins are attributed to 18th century France. In 1906, Finland was the first nation in the world to give full suffrage (the right to vote and to run for office) to all citizens, including women. New Zealand was the first country in the world to grant all citizens the right to vote, in 1893, but women did not get the right to run for the New Zealand legislature until 1919.

In the United States, woman suffrage was achieved gradually, at state and local levels, during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was World War I that gave women the final push they needed. After President Woodrow Wilson announced that World War I was a war for democracy, women were up in arms. Finally in 1920, Congress passed the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which provided: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex."

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : Did you go to work last Friday? Were you worried at all that something bad might happen to you? Well if you were, join the 17 to 21 million Americans that also have a fear of Friday the 13th.

Friday the 13th is a popular day associated with bad luck and horror films. Most of us just laugh it off, but the ones that truly fear that day have what is called friggatriskaidekaphobia, or paraskevidekatriaphobia. Some even go beyond Friday the 13th. President Herbert Hoover, Napoleon Bonaparte and President Franklin D. Roosevelt would not travel on the 13th day of any month, for all feared the number 13.

Have you noticed that some high buildings and hotels skip the 13th floor? There are even baseball stadiums that skip the 13th seat! In Louisiana's French Quarter, addresses skip the number 13, and some airports do not have a 13th gate.

But how did this fear get started? Some say it dates back to Norse mythology and ancient Rome. In the Norse myth, 12 gods were having dinner when a 13th guest, Loki, arrived. Loki had Hoder, the blind god of darkness, kill Balder, the god of joy and gladness. When Balder died, the Earth went dark.

In ancient Rome it is said, witches would meet on Fridays, a name derived from Frigga, a goddess in Norse mythology and the mother of Balder, and they would meet in groups of 12 with the 13th person at the gathering being the devil. Interestingly, there is no written evidence for a Friday the 13th superstition before the 19th century. However, folklore has been passed down through traditions.

There is a superstition, thought by some to derive from the Last Supper or a Norse myth, that having thirteen people seated at a table will result in the death of one of the diners. And Black Friday has also been associated with stock market crashes and other disasters since the 1800s. It is also thought that it may have come about because of the Knights Templar being arrested on Friday, October 13, 1307.

A further theory goes back to a combination of Paganism, Christianity, and the Battle of Hastings. At that time, the number 13 was considered a lucky number until the decision was made by King Harold II to go to battle on Saturday the 14th of October, rather than allow his troops a day of rest. This decision of going to battle before the English troops were rested (the English lost and King Harold was killed) further established Friday the 13th as an unlucky day.

Insurance companies have done studies that the results say there are fewer accidents on Friday the 13th as opposed to any other Friday, but that could be because so many people just stay home that day!

Since there is no proof of any real unluck with Friday the 13th, it has just become a way of blaming anything negative that happens to you on that day. Psychologists and other experts have suggested to keep positive thoughts that day and remember that the next day is Saturday!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : On August 15, 1914, The Panama Railway steamship SS Ancon, piloted by Captain John A. Constantine, the Canal's first pilot, made the first official transit of the canal. Since the largrer more grand celebration had to be cancelled due to World War I, only a modest local affair took place. But that does not diminish how important a techological marvel the canal was and is. Its opening revolutionized world shipping patterns. For example, saving a total of about 7,800 miles on a trip from New York to San Francisco by sea.

As far as military significance of the canal, that was proven in World War II, when the United States used it to help restore their devastated Pacific Fleet. You may remember the story of the lamp-posts alongside the canal being removed to accomodate the extremely large Essex class aircraft carriers' passage through the canal.

Because the canal has such modern technology it is hard to believe that in the 16th century a passage was being considered by the earliest explorers. Even then, the narrow land bridge between North and South America seemed to offer a unique opportunity to create a water passage between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

Between 1881 and 1888, the work on the canal was carred out by a French company headed by de Lessop. Their attempt to build a sea-level canal failed, but only after a great amount of excavation was carried out. Finally in 1899 the US Congress created an Isthmian Canal Commission to examine the possibilities of a Central American canal and to recommend a route. It was determined that a tidal lock should be constructed to preserve the tidal level range of the Pacific which is about 20 feet compared to 1 foot on the Atlantic side.

The construction of the canal was recommenced by the US in 1904. They built 3 sets of locks and 3 dams along the 51 miles between the Atlantic and the Pacific. The entire project was finally completed in 1914. And even today, the canal continues to be not only a viable commercial venture, but also a vital link in world shipping. If you ever get the chance take a cruise through the Panama Canal - you won't regret it!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Let's say you are already in our Nation's Capital, Washington, DC, where should you go and what should you see? All the monuments and museums of course, but here are some great places you may not have thought about.

* Head to the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the only museum in the worl dedicated exclusively to recognizing the work of woment artists. It's free on Free Community Sundays, the first Sunday of each month.

* Visit The Phillips Collection in Dupont Circle, America's first museum of modern art, where the permanent collection is free of charge (contributions welcome).

* Follow Georgetown's cobblestone streets to Old Stone House, a National Park Service site and the last pre-Revolutionary building standing in Washington, DC on its original foundation.

* View French paintings of modest size but high-quality in the National Gallery of Art's permanent exhibition, Small French Paintings, on view on the ground level of NGA's East Building.

* Get a behind-the-scenes look at the preservation of art in the Lunder Conservation Center. It's the first art conservation facility allowing the public permanent access to views of essential conservation work. There you'll see staff from the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum hard at work through floor-to-ceiling windows.

* Take a free or nearly free docent-led tour at one of DC's many museums and other cultural institutions, including the National Archives, the National Air and Space Museum, the Washington National Cathedral (a small donation is required) and many more. Before you go, make sure to check the website of each venue for specific details.

* DC is a city with many festivals taking place all year long. Check Washington.org's event calendar for the latest information on the DC's most popular festivals. They are full of activities and free-of-charge to attend including the National Cherry Blossom Festival, The DC Caribbean Carnival, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and more.

* If you like shows of all kinds, for a reasonable price, try the Wooly Mammoth Theatre Company's "Pay-what-you-can," seats, offered for the first two performances of every main stage production. Tickets (two-per-person) are sold at the theatre 90 minutes prior to showtime.

* For something a little off the beaten path, visit the National Geographic Museum to check out its free exhibitions that highlight international cultures and natural wonders.

* In Dupont Circle you can dance the night away at Lucky Bar. On Monday nights they have free salsa lessons (and 50 cent tacos) at 8pm. Then keep on dancing with your partner until last call.

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Yes, believe it or not you can travel and eat too. If you are in our Nation's Capital for business or pleasure stop by any of these great places for lunch or dinner.

* The hand-written sign above the register in Ben's Chili Bowl says that loyal supporter Bill Cosby is the only customer who can eat for free. But you can still eat for cheap at this city staple, where the famous chili half smoke is just $5.20.

* Head over to Julia's Empanadas, where a variety of hand-made, freshly-baked empanadas are served for less than $5.

* Need to grab a bite but don't have time for a sit-down meal? Stop by "On the Fly," a fleet of eco-friendly SmartKarts serving reasonably priced food from restaurants throughout the city. Pulled chicken sandwiches start at just $5.

* PS7's doesn't cut corners when it comes to after-work specials. The fine dining restaurant offers its beer of the day for $3, its red, white and sparkling wine of the day for just $4/glass and many small plates in the lounge for under $10.

* The 100% wind-powered Austin Grill is a family-favorite offering Tex-Mex "grub" in a fun atmosphere. Kids eat for free on Tuesdays, and there's a different special every Monday.

* Eat organic at Johnny's Half Shell, where James Beard award-winning chef Ann Cashion's mini-burgers and mini Asian tuna sandwiches are just $2.50 and her fried oysters and gumbo are $6 each during happy hour.

* Watch the chef make noodles in the window of Chinatown Express before ordering a big bowl for yourself for under $5.

* Less than $10 will get you falafel and twice-fried fries until 4am on weekends at Amsterdam Falafel Shop. They even offer a choice of wheat or white pitas, and they don't use spoons, forks or plates in an effort to reduce waste.

* Catch the newest trend in street dining with Sauca, a traveling food cart that serves up gourmet cuisine all day. Menu items are inspired by street vendors from India, Europe and South America. Try a Mediterranean veggie wrap for just $6.50 or Vietnamese Fish Bahn Mi for just $7.50.

* Even sushi has a happy hour in DC. Try Cafe Asia, where Nigiri is $1/piece and maki rolls are discounted. Also try Lotus Lounge, where beer, wine, sushi rolls and dumplings are just $5 during happy hour Tuesday through Saturday.

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: If you plan on visiting our Nation's Capitol this summer here are some fun outside activities for you and your family.

* Experience the serenity of the monuments at sunrise. Start with the sun behind you at the Grant Memorial (just in front of the U.S. Capitol), and jog the 2 miles down to the Lincoln Memorial, passing the Washington Monument and the World War II Memorial along the way.

* Make a power play and start a game of Frisbee on the National Mall, or a game of volleyball at one of the pits at Potomac Park.

* Grab your coat, scarf and hiking boots to trek your way down the C&O Canal Towpath, which traces the Potomac from Georgetown to Cumberland, MD.

* Head to Gravelly Point, a park area off the George Washington Memorial Parkway and Mt. Vernon biking/hiking trail, to watch the planes take off from Reagan National Airport.

* Let DC's green space surprise you with a visit to the National Arboretum. While you're there, take in the beautiful views and see the pillars from the original US Capitol that was burned during the War of 1812.

* Browse through the National Gallery of Art's Sculpture Garden to take in art and fresh air at the same time. The garden features seating for visitors and a fountain that turns into an ice rink in the winter - so stay for a while to cool down or warm up.

* Rarely travel without Fido? Bring him to Lincoln Park on pet-friendly Capitol Hill to make nice with the neighborhood's four-legged friends.

* Spend just $5 per vehicle, or $3 a person if you go on bike via the C&O Canal Trail, to explore nature in Great Falls Park. These 800 acres of beautiful parkland with green space, cascading rapids and waterfalls are located just beyond the Beltway.

* Enjoy a veritable feast for the senses each Sunday at the Dupont Circle FreshFarm Market. During peak season, there are more than 30 farmers offering items including fruits and vegetables, meats, cheeses, fish, baked goods and more. Samples are always available. Market hours are 9am-1pm April thru December; 10am-1pm January thru March.

* Discover a hidden treasure in Montrose Park, located between Dumbarton Oaks Park and Rock Creek Park (R St. NW, between 28th and 32nd Sts.), and make sure to stroll along Lovers' Lame - a beautiful 18th-century cobblestone path.

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Have you planned your family vacation yet? Why not consider our nation's capitol? There is an un-ending list of things to see and do - most for free or practicly free. Here's a list of family oriented activities in Washington D.C. that won't deflate your wallet.

1. Even though Tai Shan, the third panda to be born in the US is back in China, you can still watch the National Zoo's conservation efforts first-hand and pay a visit to his parents, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian.

2. See the stars in Rock Creek Park at the only planetarium operated by the National Park Service.

3. Explore an exhibition and create a related art project to take home through the Freer & Sackler Gallery's Imaginasia family programming.

4.   See the National Mall with DC by Foot, a walking tour company that gives free, kid-friendly tours (gratuity recommended) infused with games, fun facts and trivia.

5. Take pictures with Fala, the famous presidential pooch, at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial.

6. Make money (or see money made) with a free tour of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing.

7. Explore the beautiful grounds of the National Cathedral, then take a Gargoyle Tour (April through October, $10/adult, $5/child, or $30/family). and see how these whimsical creatures reflect history in stone, There's even one fashioned after Darth Vader. Enjoy a picnic in the picture-perfect medieval Bishop's Garden afterwards.

8. Play pilot in a mock cockpit at America by Air, an exhibition on permanent display at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.

9. Walk among living butterflies at the National Museum of Natural History's Butterfly Pavilion (adults $6/children $5). Tuesdays are free, but timed-entry tickets are required and are available at the Butterfly Pavilion box office beginning at 10am each Tuesday.

10. Teach kids about history at the National Museum of American History. See the original "Star-Spangled Banner" that inspired our national anthem, explore the history of the American presidency, and check out Dorothy's red slippers in the permanent exhibition "National Treasures of Popular Culture."

11. Check out the latest performance at the Smithsonian's family-friendly Discovery Theater. Shows range from tap dance performances to puppet show workshops, and tickets are always under $10.

12. Let kids roam free at Friendship Park (aka Turtle Park), DC's most popular playground, located in the city's Van Ness neighborhood. Little ones love the huge sandbox (always full of toys).

13. Take a ride on DC's clean and safe Metrorail system to give kids a taste of a train ride, and a break from the summer heat. Day Passes are a great value at just $8.30 and the Metro travels all over the city.

14. Fly a kite next to the Washington Monument for a great family photo.

15. Give kids an inspiring lesson in freedom with a stop at the National Archives Building to view the Emancipation Proclamation followed by a visit to the Lincoln Memorial.

Great Fun!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Independence Day is a national holiday marked by patriotic displays. Similar to other summer-themed events, Independence Day celebrations often take place outdoors. Independence Day is a federal holiday, so all non-essential federal institutions (like the postal service and federal courts) are closed on that day. Many politicians make it a point on this day to appear at a public event to praise the nation's heritage, laws, history, society, and people.

Families often celebrate Independence Day by hosting or attending a picnic or barbecue and take advantage of the day off and, as in this year, a long weekend to gather with relatives. Decoration (e.g., steamers, balloons, and clothing) are generally colored red, white, and blue, the colors of the American Flag. Parades often are in the morning, while fireworks displays occur in the evening at such places as parks, fairgrounds, or town squares.

Independence Day fireworks are often accompanied by patriotic songs such as the national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner", "Stars and Stripes Forever", and, regionally, "Yankee Doodle" in northeastern states and "Dixie" in southern states. Some of the lyrics recall images of the revolutionary War or the War of 1812.

Firework shows are held in many states, and many fireworks are sold for personal use or as an alternative to a public show. A salute of one gun for each state in the United States, called a "salute to the union," is fired on Independence Day at noon by any capable military base.

In 2009, New York City had the largest fireworks display in the country, with over 22 tons of pyrotechnics exploded. Other major displays are in Chicago on Lake Michigan; in San Diego over Mission Bay; in Boston on the Charles River; in St. Louis on the Mississippi River; and on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. During the annual Windsor-Detroit International Freedom Festival, Detroit, Michigan hosts one of the world's largest fireworks displays, over the Detroit river, to celebrate Independence Day in conjunction with Windsor, Ontario's celebration of Canada Day.

While the official observance always falls on July 4th, participation levels may vary according to which day of the week the 4th falls on. If the holiday falls in the middle of the week, some fireworks displays and celebrations may take place during the weekend for convenience, again, varying by region.

Happy 4th Of July!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the American colonies from Great Britain occurred on July 2, 1776, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia. After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the Declaration, finally approving it on July 4. A day earlier, John Adams had written to his wife Abigail:

"The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more."

Adams' prediction was off by two days but what a prediction! That is exactly the way we, as Americans, celebrate the Fourth! From the outset, Americans celebrated independence on July 4, the date shown on the much-publicized Declaration of Independence, rather than on July 2, the date the resolution of independence was approved in a closed session of Congress.

One of the most enduring myths about Independence Day is that Congress signed the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The myth had become so firmly established that, decades after the event and nearing the end of their lives, even the elderly Thomas Jefferson and John Adams had come to believe that they and the other delegates had signed the Declaration on the fourth. Most delegates actually signed the Declaration on August 2, 1776. In a remarkable series of coincidences, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, two founding fathers of the United States and the only two men who signed the Declaration of Independence to become president, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the United States' 50th anniversary.

Have a Great 4th of July!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: The Statue of Liberty National Monument officially celebrated her 100th birthday on October 28,1986. The people of France gave the Statue to the people of the United States over on hundred years ago in recognition of the friendship established during the American Revolution. Over the years, the Statue of Liberty has grown to include freedom and democracy as well as this international friendship.

Sculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi was commissioned to design a sculpture with the year 1876 in mind for completion, to commemorate the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence. The Statue was a joint effort between America and France and it was agreed upon that the American people were to build the pedestal, and the French people were responsible for the Statue and its assembly here in the United States. However, lack of funds was a problem on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. In France, public fees, various forms of entertainment, and a lottery were among the methods used to raise funds. In the United States, benefit theatrical events, art exhibitions, auctions and prize fights assisted in providing needed funds.

Meanwhile in France, Bartholdi required the assistance of an engineer to address structural issues associated with designing such a colossal copper sculpture. Alexandre Gustave Eiffel (designer of the Eiffel Tower) was commissioned to design the massive iron pylon and secondary skeletal framework which allows the Statue's copper skin to move independently yet stand upright. Back in America, fund raising for the pedestal was going particularly slowly, so Joseph Pulitzer (noted for the Pulitzer Prize) opened up the editorial pages of his newspaper, "The World" to support the fund raising effort. Pulitzer used his newspaper to criticize both the rich who had failed to finance the pedestal construction and the middle class who were content to rely upon the wealthy to provide the funds. Pulitzer's campaign of harsh criticism was successful in motivation the people of American to donate.

Financing for the pedestal was completed in August 1885, and pedestal construction was finished in April of 1886. The Statue was completed in France in July, 1884 and arrived in New York Harbor in June of 1885 on board the French frigate "Isere" which transported the Statue of Liberty from France to the United States. In transit, the Statue was reduced to 350 individual pieces and packed in 214 crates. The Statue was re-assembled on her new pedestal in four months time. On October 28th 1886, the dedication of the Statue of Liberty took place in front of thousands of spectators. She was a centennial gift ten years late.

The story of the Statue of Liberty and her island has been one of change. The Statue was placed upon a granite pedestal inside the courtyard of the star-shaped walls of Fort Wood (which had been completed for the War of 1812). The United States Lighthouse Board had responsibility for the operation of the Statue of Liberty until 1901. After 1901, the care and operation of the Statue was placed under the War Department. A Presidential Proclamation declared Fort Wood (and the Statue of Liberty within it) a National Monument on October 15th, 1924 and the monument's boundary was set at the outer edge of Fort Wood. In 19233, the care and administration of the National Monument was transferred to the National Park Service. On September 7, 1937, jurisdiction was enlarged to encompass all of Bedloe's Island and in 1956, the island's name was changed to Liberty Island.

On May 11, 1965, Ellis Island was also transferred to the National Park Service and became part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument. In May of 1982, President Ronald Reagan appointed Lee Iacocca to head up a private sector effort to restore the Statue of Liberty. Fund-raising began for the $87 million restoration under a public/private partnership between the National Park Service and the Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation, Inc., to date the most successful such partnership in American history. In 1984, at the start of the Statue's restoration, the United Nations designated the Statue of Liberty as a World Heritage Site. On July 5, 1986, the newly restored Statue re-opened to the public during Liberty Weekend, which celebrated her centennial. The Statue of Liberty was closed as a result of the tragedy of September 11, 2001. Although Liberty Island re-opened after being closed for 100 days, the Statue remained closed until August 3, 2004. Visitors now have access to the Statue's pedestal observation deck, promenade, museum and the area of Fort Wood.

Jody Victor

Jody Victor : Sonora Dodd, of Washington, first had the idea of a "father's day." she thought of the idea for Father's Day while listening to a Mother's Day sermon in 1909.

Sonora wanted a special day to honor her father, William Smart. Smart, who was a Civil War veteran, was widowed when his wife died while giving birth to their sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise the newborn and his other five children by himself on a rural farm in eastern Washington state.

After Sonora became an adult she realized the selflessness her father had shown in raising his children as a single parent. It was her father that made all the parental sacrifices and was, in the eyes of his daughter, a courageous, selfless, and loving man. Sonora's father was born in June, so she chose to hold the first Father's Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on the 19th of June, 1910.

President Calvin Coolidge, in 1924, supported the idea of a national Father's Day. Then in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day. President Richard Nixon signed the law which finally made it permanent in 1972.

Father's Day is the 4th largest card-sending holiday in the country with nearly 95 million cards given last year.

Happy Father's Day!

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: The Normandy landings were the landing operations of the Allied invasion of Normandy, also known as Operation Neptune and Operation Overlord, during World War II. The landings commenced on Tuesday, June 6, 1944 (D-Day), Beginning at 6:30 AM British Double Summer Time (UTC+2). In planning, D-Day was the term used for the day of actual landing, which was dependent on final approval.

The Assault was conducted in two phases: an air assault landing of 24,000 American, British, Canadian and Free French airborne troops shortly after midnight, and an amphibious landing of Allied infantry and armored divisions on the coast of France commencing at 6:30 AM. There were also subsidiary 'attacks' mounted under the code-names Operation glimmer and Operation Taxable to distract the German forces from the real landing areas.

The operation was the largest amphibious invasion of all time, with over 160,000 troops landing on June 6, 1944. 195,700 Allied naval and merchant navy personnel in over 5,000 ships were involved. The invasion required the transport of soldiers and material from the United Kingdom by troop-laden aircraft and ships, the assault landings, air support, naval interdiction of the English Channel and naval fire-support. The landings took place along a 50-mile stretch of the Normandy coast divided into five sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword.

Only a few days in each month were suitable for launching the operation, because both a full moon during the hours of darkness and a spring tide were required: the former to illuminate navigational landmarks for the crews of aircraft, gliders and landing craft, and the latter to provide the deepest possible water to help safe navigation over defensive obstacles placed by the Germans in the surf on the seaward approaches to the beaches. Allied Expeditionary Force Supreme Commander Dwight D. Eisenhower had tentatively selected June 5 as the date for the assault. The weather was fine during most of May, but this deteriorated in early June. On June 4, conditions were clearly unsuitable for a landing; wind and high seas would make it impossible to launch landing craft from larger ships at sea, and low clouds would prevent aircraft finding their targets. The Allied troop convoys already at sea were forced to take shelter in bays and inlets on the south coast of Britain for the night.

It seemed possible that everything would have to be canceled and the troops returned to their embarkation camps (which would be almost impossible, as the enormous movement of follow-up formations into them was already proceeding). The next full moon period would be nearly a month away. At a vital meeting on June 5, Eisenhower's chief meteorologist (Group Captain J.M. Stagg) forecast a brief improvement for June 6. On the strength of Stagg's forecast, Eisenhower ordered the invasion to proceed.

The Germans meanwhile took comfort from the existing poor conditions, which were worse over Northern France than over the Channel itself, and believed no invasion would be possible for several days. While dozens of division, regimental, and battalion commanders were away from their posts at war games and on leave, the Allied forces were attacking.

The Allied invasion was detailed in several overlapping operational plans according to the D-Day museum: "The armed forces use code-names to refer to the planning and execution of specific military operations. Operation Overlord was the code-name for the Allied invasion of northwest Europe. The assault phase of Operation Overlord was known as Operation Neptune. Operation Neptune began on D-Day (June 6, 1944) and ended on June 30, 1944. By this time, the Allies had established a firm foothold in Normandy. Operation Overlord also began on D-Day, and continued until Allied forces crossed the River Seine on august 19, 1944."

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: Clara Barton (1821-1912) had a career as a teacher and federal bureaucrat when the American Civil War broke out. (She started teaching around the age of 15 or 16.) She also expanded her concept of soldier aid, traveling to Camp Parole, Md., to organize a program for locating men listed as missing in action. Through interviews with Federals returning from Southern prisons, she was often able to determine the status of some of the missing and notify families.

After working tirelessly on humanitarian work during and after the conflict, on advice of her doctors, in 1869, she went to Europe for a restful vacation. There, she saw and became involved in the work of the International Red Cross during the Franco-Prussian War, and determined to bring the organization home with her to America.

When Clara Barton began the organizing work in the U.S. in 1873, no one thought the country would ever again face an experience like the Civil War. However, Barton was not one to lose hope in the face of the bureaucracy, and she finally succeeded during the administration of President Chester A. Arthur on the basis that the new American Red Cross organization could also be available to respond to other types of crisis.

As Barton expanded the original concept of the Red Cross to include assisting in any great national disaster, this service brought the United States the "Good Samaritan of Nations" label in the International Red Cross. Barton naturally became President of the American branch of the society, known officially as the American National Red Cross. Soon after the initial May 1881meeting in Washington, on August 22, 1881 the first local chapter of the Red Cross was formed in the village of Dansville, New York, the town where Barton kept a part-time residence between 1876 and 1886. Subsequent local chapters were established in Rochester and Syracuse. Ultimately, John D. Rockefeller among four others and the Federal government gave money to create a national headquarters in Washington, CD, located one block from the White House.

Clara Barton led one of the group's first major relief efforts, a response to the Great Fire of 1881 (Thumb Fire) in the Thumb region of Michigan, which occurred on Sept. 4-6, 1881. Over 5000 were left homeless. The next major disaster dealt with was the Johnstown Flood which occurred on May 31, 1889. Over 2,209 people died and thousands more were injured in or near Johnstown, Pennsylvania in one of the worst disasters in United States history.

In 1975 the Clara Barton National Historic Site was established as a unit of the National Park Service at her Glen Echo, Maryland home near Washington, D.C. The first National Historic Site dedicated to the accomplishments of a woman, it preserves the early history of the American Red Cross and the last home of its founder. Clara Barton spent the last 15 years of her life in her Glen Echo home, and it served as an early headquarters of the American Red Cross as well.

The National Park Service has restored eleven rooms, including the Red Cross offices, parlors and Miss Barton's bedroom. Visitors to Clara Barton National Historic Site can gain a sense of how Miss Barton lived and worked surrounded by all that went into her life's work. Visitors to the site are led through the three levels on a guided tour emphasizing Miss Barton's use of her unusual home, and come to appreciate the site in the same way visitors did in Clara Barton's lifetime.

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: The American Red Cross (also known as the American National Red Cross) is a humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States, and is the designated U.S. affiliate of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Today, in addition to domestic disaster relief, the American Red Cross offers services in five other areas: community services that help the needy; communications services and comfort for military members and their family members; the collection, processing and distribution of blood and blood products: educational programs on preparedness, health, and safety; and international relief and development programs.

Issued a corporate charter by the United States Congress under Title 36 of the United States Code, Section 3001, the American National Red Cross is governed by volunteers and supported by community donations, income from health and safety training and products, and income from blood products. The American Red Cross is a nationwide network of more than 700 chapters and 36 Blood Services regions, in 7 divisions, dedicated to saving lives and helping people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. More than a million Red Cross volunteers and 30,000 employees annually mobilize relief to people affected by more than 67,000 disasters, train almost 12 million people in necessary medical skills and exchange more than a million emergency messages for U.S. military services personnel and their family members. The Red Cross is the largest supplier of blood and blood produces to more than 3,000 hospitals nationally and also assists victims of international disasters and conflicts at locations worldwide. In 2006 the organization had over $6billion in total revenues; revenue from blood and blood products were over $2 billion.

The American Red Cross is headquartered in Washington, D.C.

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: The American Red Cross was established in Washington, D.C. on May 21, 1881, by Clara Barton, who became the first president of the organization. Barton first organized a meeting on May 12 of that year at the home of Sen. Omar D. Conger (R, MI). Fifteen people were present at this first meeting, including Barton, Conger, and Rep. William Lawrence (R, OH) who became the first vice-president. Jame Delano (1862-1919) founded the American Red Cross Nursing Service on Jan 20, 1910.

Each year, the American Red Cross responds immediately to more than 70,000 disasters, including house or apartment fires (the majority of disaster responses). hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hazardous materials spills, transportation accidents, explosions, and other natural and man-made disasters.

Although the American Red Cross is not a government agency, its authority to provide disaster relief was formalized when, in 1905, the Red Cross was granted a congressional charter to "carry on a system of national and international relief in time of peace and apply the same in mitigating the sufferings caused by pestilence, famine, fire, floods, and other great national calamities, and to devise and carry on measures for preventing the same." The Charter is not only a grant of power, but also an imposition of duties and obligations to the nation, to disaster victims, and to the people who support its work with their donations.

American Red Cross disaster relief focuses on meeting people's immediate emergency disaster-caused needs. When a disaster threatens or strikes, the Red Cross provides shelter, food, and health and mental health services to address basic human needs. In addition to these services, the core of Red Cross disaster relief is the assistance given to individuals and families affected by disaster to enable them to resume their normal daily activities independently. The organization also provides translation and interpretation to those affected when necessary, and maintains a database of multilingual volunteers to enable this.

The Red Cross also feeds emergency workers of other agencies, handles inquiries from concerned family members outside the disaster area, provides blood and blood products to disaster victims, and helps those affected by disaster to access other available resources. It is a member of the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) and works closely with other agencies such as the Salvation Army and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service with whom it has Memorandums of Understanding.

The American Red Cross also works hard to encourage preparedness by providing important literature on readiness. Many chapters also offer free classes to the general public.

A major misconception by the general public is that the American Red Cross provides medical facilities, engages in search and rescue operations or deploys ambulances to disaster areas. As an emergency support agency, the American Red Cross does not engage in these first responder activities; instead, these first responder roles are left to local, state or federal agencies as dictated by the National Response Plan. The confusion arises since other Red Cross societies across the globe may provide these functions. Furthermore, American Red Cross Emergency Response Vehicles (ERVs) look similar to ambulances. There ERVs are designed for bulk distribution of relief supplies, such as hot meals, drinks or other relief supplies. Although American Red Cross shelters usually have a nurse assigned to the facility, they are not equipped to provide medical care beyond emergency first aid.

Jody Victor

Jody Victor: On August 31, 1949, Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson announced the creation of an Armed Forces Day to replace separate Army, Navy and Air Force Days. The single-day celebration stemmed from the unification of the Armed Forces under one department -- the Department of Defense. Each of the military leagues and orders was asked to drop sponsorship of its specific service day in order to celebrate the newly announced Armed Forces Day. The Army, Navy and Air Force leagues adopted the newly formed day. The Marine Corps League declined to drop support for Marine Corps Day but supports Armed Forces Day, too.

In a speech announcing the formation of the day, President Truman "praised the work of the military services at home and across the seas" and said, "it is vital to the security of the nation and to the establishment of a desirable peace." In an excerpt from the Presidential Proclamation of Feb. 27, 1950, Mr. Truman stated:

Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 1950, marks the first combined demonstration by America's defense team of its progress, under the National Security Act, towards the goal of readiness for any eventuality. It is the first parade of preparedness by the unified forces of our land, sea, and air defense.

 The theme of the first Armed Forces Day was "Teamed for Defense." It was chosen as a means of expressing the unification of all the military forces under a single department of the government. Although this was the theme for the day, there were several other purposes for holding Armed Forces Day. It was a type of "educational program for civilians," one in which there would be an increased awareness of the Armed Forces. It was designed to expand public understanding of what type of job is performed and the role of the military in civilian life. It was a day for the military to show "state-of-the-art" equipment to the civilian population they were protecting. And it was a day to honor and acknowledge the people of the Armed Forces of the United States.

According to a New York Times article published on May 17, 1952: "This is the day on which we have the welcome opportunity to pay special tribute to the men and women of the Armed Forces ... to all the individuals who are in the service of their country all over the world. Armed Forces Day won't be a matter of parades and receptions for a good many of them. They will all be in line of duty and some of them may give their lives in that duty."

The first Armed Forces Day was celebrated by parades, open houses, receptions, and air shows. In Washington D.C., 10,000 troops of all branches of the military, cadets, and veterans marched pass the President and his party. In Berlin, 1,000 U.S. troops paraded for the German citizens at Templehof Airfield. In New York City, an estimated 33,000 participants initiated Armed Forces Day "under an air cover of 250 military planes of all types." In the harbors across the country were the famed mothballed "battlewagons" of World War II, the Missouri, the New Jersey, the North Carolina, and the Iowa, all open for public inspection. Precision flying teams dominated the skies as tracking radar were exhibited on the ground. All across the country, the American people joined together to honor the Armed Forces.