On this day in history: The Attack on Pearl Harbor.
The names for the wars we fight are not usually official until after we’re done fighting them, but in the case of World War II, But in 1942, Franklin Roosevelt was determined to give it an official name for the purposes of documentation, suggesting that it be called “The Survival War” in press conferences and speeches (here’s one instance: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/excerpts-from-the-press-conference-37).
He got the War Department to send out a public call for suggestions and even Gallup (then the “American Institute of Public Opinion”) conducted a poll.
When asked what names the people like best amongst those suggested, here’s how they responded:
Fascinating. I had no idea. Now, I’ve always thought of Roosevelt as more of a lightweight than the prevailing view of him (not for nothing was he known as “Feather-Duster” in his family, when he was younger), but the idea of spending even five minutes trying to come up with a catchy (or “inspiring”) name for a ghastly war with a horrifying début is downright breath-taking in its fatuousness. Ditto the various suggestions offered!
News reports are that this is the first time the Pearl Harbor ceremonies will be held with no survivors of the U.S.S. Arizona present. There are only 5 left, and they are too old to travel to Hawaii
I remember my late 5th grade teacher was stationed on the USS New Orleans during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was shaving and saw the Japanese plane through the porthole. He was planing on going to mass on one of the ship that was hit and sank. He would tell the class an elaborate story of what happened complete with diagrams on the chalkboard.
Of course, if the current occupant had been there, he’d have ignored the agonizing pain in his bone spurs, run out and single-handedly shot down ALL the attacking Germans…WITHOUT a gun!! /s
Fido (aka Felix Rex) Premium Member over 5 years ago
I want to thank my Scoutmaster, Mr. Jim Moore, USN and Pearl Harbor survivor. He made a rabble of pre-adolescent goofballs into Gentlemen.
Godfreydaniel over 5 years ago
Jungle Shield? Jungle Storm? Antifa? War: Second Act?
Brian Carroll creator over 5 years ago
On this day in history: The Attack on Pearl Harbor.
The names for the wars we fight are not usually official until after we’re done fighting them, but in the case of World War II, But in 1942, Franklin Roosevelt was determined to give it an official name for the purposes of documentation, suggesting that it be called “The Survival War” in press conferences and speeches (here’s one instance: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/excerpts-from-the-press-conference-37).
He got the War Department to send out a public call for suggestions and even Gallup (then the “American Institute of Public Opinion”) conducted a poll.
When asked what names the people like best amongst those suggested, here’s how they responded:
War of World Freedom: 26%
War of Freedom: 14%
War of Liberty: 13%
Anti-Dictator War: 11%
War for Humanity: 9%
Survival War: 7%
The People’s War: 6%
Anti-Nazi War: 5%
Total War: 5%
War of Liberation: 4%
AndrewSihler over 5 years ago
Fascinating. I had no idea. Now, I’ve always thought of Roosevelt as more of a lightweight than the prevailing view of him (not for nothing was he known as “Feather-Duster” in his family, when he was younger), but the idea of spending even five minutes trying to come up with a catchy (or “inspiring”) name for a ghastly war with a horrifying début is downright breath-taking in its fatuousness. Ditto the various suggestions offered!
Masterskrain Premium Member over 5 years ago
News reports are that this is the first time the Pearl Harbor ceremonies will be held with no survivors of the U.S.S. Arizona present. There are only 5 left, and they are too old to travel to Hawaii
Charlie Tuba over 5 years ago
Wouldn’t it had been World War III? The Seven Year War was World War I?
Charlie Tuba over 5 years ago
I remember my late 5th grade teacher was stationed on the USS New Orleans during the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was shaving and saw the Japanese plane through the porthole. He was planing on going to mass on one of the ship that was hit and sank. He would tell the class an elaborate story of what happened complete with diagrams on the chalkboard.
face.less_b over 5 years ago
What about the War fought under Lincoln? I think it is referred to as “the unpleasantness” around here.
Masterskrain Premium Member over 5 years ago
Of course, if the current occupant had been there, he’d have ignored the agonizing pain in his bone spurs, run out and single-handedly shot down ALL the attacking Germans…WITHOUT a gun!! /s
braindead Premium Member over 5 years ago
BTW, those who believe that 9/11 will never be forgotten should look at the lack of 12/5/41 commemorations nowadays. Very few survivors are left.
ChristopherBurns over 5 years ago
I’m thinking it says something unpleasant about humans that we have so many wars we have to have to get creative in naming them.
AndrewSihler over 5 years ago
Is it just me, or are all these suggestions more or less preachy and smug?