| Truman
discusses sharing atomic secrets |
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| In Washington... President Truman holds a cabinet meeting to discuss the question of sharing
atomic secrets with the British and particularly the Soviet governments. He chose the topic because it was Secretary of War Stimson's last day in government service; Stimson was retiring that afternoon. In the words of Undersecretary of State
Acheson, "the discussion was unworthy of the subject." Stimson desired only a diplomatic approach, not an openhanded passing of information
American scientists sought. The presumption was that the Soviets would offer a quid pro quo for the cost of the nuclear project. Instead, some cabinet members misconstrued the debate to be whether to give away the secrets. They were totally unprepared to handle this complicated subject and hardly knew the
difference between an at secret and common scientific knowledge. They responded by offering their opinions in airy detail. After the discussion, and reception of papers prepared thereafter (with the exception of
Stimson's, which was prepared well in advance), the president released an ambiguous public statement.
In Rio de Janeiro... Brazil ratifies the United Nations
Charter.
In India... The Congress Party demands that southeast Asia be freed from "Imperialist domination." |
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This
chronological study of the Second World War provides a
comprehensive day-by-day account of WWII. While focused on the
military history of the war, with an emphasis on the battles
and campaigns fought, the timeline includes social and
political history as well. Some Holocaust related events are
already recorded and additional updates are pending. In so far
as possible, the images included in this presentation are
pictures from the given days. Additional information and
images are welcome through the feedback form found on the
index.
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