I hope some here might appreciate this bit of history on a Friday night.
It's newly discovered 16mm color film footage of downtown Pittsburgh on May 8, 1945.
The audio is President Harry S. Truman's address and proclamation from that day. The footage lasts about 3 minutes, then it's just the President's voice over the radio for a few more.
More from the press conference of President Truman:
THE PRESIDENT. Well, I want to start off by reading you a little statement here. I want you to understand, at the very beginning, that this press conference is held with the understanding that any and all information given you here is for release at 9 a.m. this morning, eastern war time. There should be no indication of the news given here, or speculation about it, either in the press or on the radio before 9 o'clock this morning.
The radio-my radio remarks, and telegrams of congratulation to the Allied military leaders, are for release at the same time. Mr. Daniels has copies of my remarks, available for you in the lobby as you go out, and also one or two releases here.
[1.] Now, for your benefit, because you won't get a chance to listen over the radio, I am going to read you the proclamation, and the principal remarks. It won't take but 7 minutes, so you needn't be uneasy. You have plenty of time. [Laughter]
"This is a solemn but glorious hour. General Eisenhower informs me that the forces of Germany have surrendered to the United Nations. The flags of freedom fly all over Europe."
It's celebrating my birthday, too--today, too.
Voices: Happy birthday, Mr. President! [Laughter]
Here's more on LST 1059, featured in the footage.
# 542-Class Tank Landing Ship:
Laid down, 3 March 1945 at Dravo Corp., Pittsburgh, PA.
- Launched, 14 April 1945
- Commissioned USS LST-1059, 17 May 1945
- Following World War II USS LST-1059 performed occupation duty in the Far East and saw service in China until mid-July 1946
- Decommissioned,14 September 1946
- Struck from the Naval Register, 23 April 1947
- Final Disposition, sold, 14 January 1947, to the Morrison Knudsen Co., Shanghai, China, fate unknown