Culture 101 (part 15) - Persevering and Prevailing during Dark Days

wikipedia.com/Daily Mail 31 December 1940

September 3, 1939 - 75 years ago - Britain and France declared war on Germany.  It was in response to Hitler's invasion of Poland two days earlier on September 1st.

So World War II began.  

And some historians say it was an extension of War World I.  [reference:  Britain and France declare war on Germany — History.com This Day in History — 9/3/1939, HowStuffWorks "World War I" ]

Six years later, World War II would prove to be the most devastating war of the 20th century.  One estimate gives close to 50 million killed.  Some go as high as over 70 million.  But no doubt about it, all corners of the planet were affected by perhaps the greatest conflict in history ... so far.

Many stories have been spun about this war, particularly those of persevering and prevailing during dark times.  And art imitates life in the ...

* Movies *

    

The King's Speech (2010), is the true story of King George VI facing a crisis in both his personal life and as a reluctant wartime monarch.  First, he persevered and prevailed in public speaking in spite of a speech problem; likewise leading his people through the most trying time in the 20th century.

"The stammering that defined him, and the courage with which he tried to beat it, came to symbolise the vulnerability of the British people as they stood alone against the Nazi tyranny that had the rest of Europe in its grip."   [reference: The King's Speech: the real story - Telegraph] 

And as World War II began 75 years ago, this speech, dramatized below, was given at the start of the six year marathon of persevering and prevailing over great evil.

(reference:   http://youtu.be/6fY3BOcjAnw)

Below are the last lines of the King's speech:

"There may be dark days ahead, and war can no longer be confined to the battlefield. But we can only do the right as we see the right, and reverently commit our cause to God.

"If one and all we keep resolutely faithful to it, ready for whatever service or sacrifice it may demand, then, with God's help, we shall prevail."

George VI - September 3, 1939

[reference:  Online Speech Bank: King George VI -- First Radio Address (transcript-audio-video)]

George VI backed up his words with actions. He stood by his people as they experienced enemy raids from the sky on native soil.  The most intense were from September 1940 to May 1941, the first attacks lasting for 57 consecutive days, known as the London Blitz.

Instead of fleeing to Canada or to the countryside, the King stayed in London, which was the target of the most intense Nazi bombings.  Buckingham Palace even took a hit from the raids.  Shown here  (bridgemanart.com) is a picture of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth walking through London during the Blitz, 1940 or 1941.

The King gave the people courage to stand up to Hitler and his "supermen."  And ultimately, Great Britain and her allies did prevail.  For a transcript of some of the King's Speeches, check out:  HISTORIC ROYAL SPEECHES AND WRITINGS

The trying times of World War II not only influenced the stories shown on the big screen like The King's Speech, but also such genres on the smaller screens like ...

* Science Fiction * 

One such is the longest running Science Fiction television series in history - Dr. Who.  In this following scene from "The Empty Child," the Doctor commends Nancy for the tenacity of her people during a time which Sir Winston Churchill had described as "their finest hour."

(reference:  http://youtu.be/J_Kwo7RZT1s)

Below are some of Dr. Who's comments during the London Blitz:

"1941 ... the German war machine is rolling up the map of Europe ... country after country falling like dominoes .... nothing can stop it ... nothing.

"Until one tiny, damp little island says, No! No, not here.

"A mouse in front of lion  ..."

Another genre is ....

* Fantasy *

Many stories are set during great conflict of good and evil as epic as World War II.  As shown in the clip below from The Lord the Rings,  The Two Towers (2002), Sam's speech reflects perhaps the theme of the trilogy:

(reference:  https://youtu.be/k6C8SX0mWP0 )

Great stories give hope for the future during the many dark days in our history. Heroes and heroines had lots of chances to turn back, but they did not.  As Sam put it -

"Because they were holding on to something ...

"That there's some good in this world ... and it's worth fighting for."

[reference:  The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) - Quotes - IMDb]

The King's Speech and Sam's Speech ... a little of Dr. Who - this is a sample of those stories that speak to our soul during dark days.  And during such times, there are heroes and their stories of persevering and prevailing over great evil.  And many of these stories become part of the culture and we pass them on ....

As they give us hope for the good worth fighting for!

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Previous posts in the Culture 101 series:

Culture 101 (part 1) - Reagan's Challenge (2012)

Culture 101 (part 2) - Easter Eucatastrophe (2012)

Culture 101 (part 3) - Paul Revere's Ride (2012)

Culture 101 (part 4) - Gold Diggers and the Great Depression (2012)

Culture 101 (part 5) - Blue Bloods and 9/11 (2012)

Culture 101 (part 6) - Gilligan's Island and Breast Cancer Awareness (2012)

Culture 101 (part 7) - Band of Brothers  (2013)

Culture 101 (part 8) - Snow White (2013)

Culture 101 (part 9) - Father Knows Best (2013)

Culture 101 (part 10) - Summertime! x 3 (2013)

Culture 101 (part 11) - Native American Osmosis (2013)

Culture 101 (part 12) - Thanksgivukkah (Thanksgiving and Hanukkah) (2013)

Culture 101 (part 13) - Coventry Carol (2013)

Culture 101 (part 14) - World War I - that Golden Summer of 1914 (2014)

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Photo from: wikipedia.com/Daily Mail 31 December 1940

A Royal Inspiration

An estimated two billion people were expected to see the royal wedding, April 29, 2011. Some have questioned those figures (pbs.com). But maybe they are not so far off if you factor in the record breaking online audience (pcmag.com). It was quite a show! A real life fairy tale played out on the world stage as a commoner, Kate Middleton, married a prince, Prince William, second in-line to the British throne.

In the preceding days and after, much has been written and commented about this wedding. Some have made a profit from it. Some were most fascinated and watched to vicariously experience a royal event. Some have "dissed" the wedding with snarkiness. Who cares about an anachronistic monarchy? Wasn't it thirty years ago that Prince William's father, Prince Charles, married Lady Diana Spencer - only this fairy tale ended in disillusion and tragedy?

As Americans, should we care about the royals and Great Britain? (Especially considering our history with a not-so-well-liked monarch, King George III.)

Yes.  
(In my humble opinion.)

Great Britain has been one of the best American allies. What is good for Great Britain is good for the United States. Frankly, I'm still inspired by their great leaders - William Wilberforce and William Pitt, the younger (whose story of abolishing slavery is told in Amazing Grace (2006) ), Sir Winston Churchill during World War II, and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher during the Cold War.

This May 8, we come up to the 66th anniversary of VE day, Victory in Europe (life.com), the beginning of the end of World War II. And recently, in theaters was the story of an inspirational British monarch, King George VI - The King's Speech (2010) - who reigned during this time.

Prince William's great grandfather,  the second son of George V, had a speech impediment, which he worked hard to overcome. He unexpectedly ascended to the throne when his older brother, Edward VIII, abdicated. The climax and most moving scene came when the King gave his first wartime speech to his subjects as they entered into World War II in September of 1939. (Below is the real speech from George VI taken from americanrhetoric.com which also has its transcript.)
 




During those dark days, Londoners in particular felt the fury of Hitler's Luftwaffe - as the capital city was bombed mercilessly to demoralize the population in the terror known as the London Blitz. King George VI, his wife Queen Elizabeth, and the princesses (Elizabeth and Margaret) stayed in the Buckingham Palace (which was also bombed) and chose not to flee to safer environs of the countryside where many of the kingdom's children were urged to go.

The King and Queen walked through London during the Blitz (bridgemanart.com). The future Queen Elizabeth II also put on the uniform and got her hands dirty during the war. She served as a driver and mechanic as shown here in this Life photo.

So why should I care about the British Royal family and their recent wedding?

Much like our presidents, (one of the best in recent times was Ronald Reagan, in my humble opinion), they can inspire people to do not only extraordinary things, but most important - the right thing.

King George VI's speeches to his people during the Second World War were backed up by his actions. He stood with his people as they experienced attacks by the enemy on native soil.  The most intense were from September 1940 to May 1941, the first attacks lasting for 57 consecutive days. The King gave the people the courage to stand up to Hitler and his "supermen."  And ultimately, the people of Great Britain and their allies did prevail.

My thoughts and prayers are that Prince William follow the steps of his great grandfather. George VI's words are still relevant today in the War on Terror and our uncertain times as they were during the events leading up to World War Two.

" There may be dark days ahead, and war can no longer be confined to the battlefield. But we can only do the right as we see the right, and reverently commit our cause to God.
 
"If one and all we keep resolutely faithful to it, ready for whateverer service or sacrifice it may demand, then, with God's help, we shall prevail."

George VI - September 3, 1939

This coming National Day of Prayer on May 5, 2011 is held at a time which may portend that dark day are ahead. May our leaders point (as George VI) that our help is in God and that we reverently commit our cause to Him. And with God's help we shall prevail.



Photo from Wikipedia:  The royal family on the balcony