Provide here at the Wilson Center in conjunction with our partners at the National History center, his ttorical perspectiv on international and national affairs. Im christian, i direct the history and Public Policy program here at the Wilson Center and i have the privilege to cochair the seminar with my colleague of George Washington university. So this is a joint interbriz by the National History center, initiative of the american historical association, directed by professor dane kennedy. I dont know if danes with us today. Joint initiative between the National History center and history and Public Policy program here, where in our ninth year of holding these sessions every week. Or during the semester, mondays at 4 00 p. M. And i hope to see many of you again for future sessions. Let me thank a couple of sponsors of this series. Frsz the page center for history in the public interest. As well as George Washington history department. I also want to thank a number of anonymous donors
In washington and covers the 1976 president ial contest between president gerald ford and challenger jimmy carter. Marino washington is like a room with an enormous circular window. You are looking all over. Anything and everything that happens is noticed. Almost every single occurrence in the world has a repercussion in washington. Marino as a Foreign Correspondent, you are the eyes for your readers. If you can forewarn your readers to things that are important because they are going to experience a similar phenomenon in their respective countries, you are doing a good service. I have a priority express call to to rome, italy, 65041 connect to the switchboard for mr. De medici. Marino i dont think there is a country in the world where there is so much access to information as in the United States because it is a matter of conduct in the government to try to respond to legitimate press queries as much as possible. [speaking italian] marino in washington, something is happening all the
I want to give a few thanks, first to the Mellon Foundation for providing funding that makes these briefings possible. I also want to thank our assistant, jeffrey, for helping o make the arrangements. I want to thank the office of gerry connolly, which booked the room, and i want to remind or explain why there are index cards on your seats and why i passed index cards around. What we will do after presentations by the speakers is we will get questions, and we would like you to write those questions on the index cards, rather than ask them in front of the audience. So, keep your index cards ready, and jot down questions when they come to mind. So, now, i will turn this over to matthew to offer introductions. Matthew thank you, dane, and jeff, and everybody who helped arrange this event. Everyone out there supports the National History center and all the other professional organizations and networks that help historians thrive. And thank you for coming to the event. We will have to get y
Paris by allied forces 75 years ago in august, 1944. Narrator the heart of european civilization is beating strong again. Paris is free. Four years of courage of hope have been answered, and a tide and a flood tide of jubilation has burst forth. The people of paris, always great performers in historys drama, rose to meet their liberators. Once more, france held high her head. Unswerving victory marched proudly along the champselysees. In the weeks preceding, the nazis had paid a frightful price. Senne have the become a vast slaughterhouse of German Military power. 40 days of attacks by the allied forces had torn the best of hitlers arm to shreds. Nothing emerged but days of wounded prisoners. First they appeared singly, then in small groups. And finally in great masses of beaten nazis. With fatal justice, they found themselves in a prison camp of their own making, one intended for french men. Some cannot hide their happy relief at coming through alive. Others are stunned and bewildered
Events are strictly nonpartisan, they are not intended to offer any kind of policy recommendations or agendas. They are simply meant to give greater insight into how we got to where we are, which we believe helps us to understand how we can solve problems. So a few thanks, and then i will turn it over to alan. First of all, the Mellon Foundation funds this program. We are very grateful to them. Secondly, the room has been booked for us by congressman jerry connollys office, and we are grateful to them. Finally, i want to thank my reiger,t director, jeff who is at the table outside but will be coming in shortly. Now i will turn it over to professor alan kraut from the american university, who will moderate the event. Before i do, let me say, most of you will find these index cards on your seat. The intent of these is that as the discussion proceeds, if you have questions, write them on these cards. We will collect them after formal remarks and use them to initiate the discussion. Think