Most Americans living today probably know absolutely nothing about the Berlin Airlift. If Rachel piqued your interest, the best one-volume history of the event is Richard Reeves' "Daring Young Men." It's a very readable eye opener
The Berlin Airlift changed much more than is realized.
The experience of the Western Allies working closely with the Germans of the city led to both sides coming to a deeper understanding of each other personally, which was the first step to creating the friendship between the US and Germany that has existed since.
The effort by the Americans to save the city led to the creation of the Marshall Plan and American acceptance that our position as most powerful country on the planet included the responsibility to take on the work necessary to insure another Second World War didn't happen.
NATO was born from the airlift, changing the political alignments of western Europe and leading eventually to the EU.
We take for granted our ability to track the delivery of any package we order. The ability to do this was created during the airlift to insure the ability to know what had been sent to Berlin. The 24/7 all weather air transport system we've had all our lives was the result of the development of the electronic navigation aids that let the cargo planes land at Tempelhof every three minutes, regardless of the weather.
The movie "The Big Lift," starring Montgomery Clift in the first film he was recognized in, was shot "on location" in Germany during the airlift. Most of the "actors" in it are German citizens and Allied troops, most particularly the aircrews. It's available at TCM and also on YouTube.
The now-unknown Berlin Airlift might just be the most significant event of the 20th Century since it opened the possibility of life being as we have known it.
What a wonderful post, Rachel! It speaks volumes to the importance of grit, perseverance, and vision, particularly in the trying times we find ourselves in. Thank you!
Thanks for this Rachel. Every day, do something to fight back. write a post. talk to a friend or family member. protest cruelty. stand up. donate to a charity. be visible.
The fascists want us to despair. Every day we don't we win.
Another inspiring piece by Rachel. I love your lessons from history, your many illustrations and supporting photos. Your writing is clear, easy to read, and always relevant to the moment we’re living in. Thank you!
My father was from Berlin. His family’s house happened to be in the west, and he had just turned 18 when the blockade happened. In a city of 2 million, more than one million came out to protest. And the west came through. We will also come through.
One need not hope in order to undertake, nor succeed in order to persevere.
- William The Silent, aka William, Prince of Orange, April 24, 1533 - July 10, 1584.
Was a Dutch Revolt leader against Spain. He was the first European politician to be assassinated by a gun.
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
I have seen a number of sullen posts and notes in different forums after the signing of the “Massive Murder Measure.” There certainly have been worse days in this country’s history. Some of us knew this fact coming into the November 2024 elections (e.g. 92% of Black women voters). So, when I get uncertain, I reference the Harlem Hellfighters, aka the “Blood-Seeking Black Men” per the Germans, of WWI (some DISTURBING IMAGES, timestamps - 4:56, 8:35, 12:40, 14:00, 15:00*, 17:44, 18:40, 21:20*, 23:00, 24:50*, 26:26, and 27:45) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt7Y62RXk0c .
I think that our current SecDef would have trouble with this history. This is curious. Hopefully, Disney will not get in trouble for the mini-documentary.
Think of the hurdles that the Hellfighters faced before, during, and after a World War (including lynchings) to become LEGENDS. The icon next to my name in this Substack environment is from one of their awards (The Croix de Guerre). They also helped to bring Jazz to the world (i.e. multidimensional people). These heroes literally fought and died (800 out of 2,000) to help create the multi-racial democracy that we live in now at a time when their prospects were certainly less than stellar in the nation of their birth. Let’s grab an ounce of their courage for the days, weeks, and months ahead.
CARTHAGO DELENDA EST (via nonviolence).
P.S. : DEMOCRATIC officials keep mentioning (and showing) Jan. 6 and the PARDONS relative to the current “law and order” push by Dolos and his associates. This is a simple but strong contrast. Use social media to promote testimonies by former “January 6 Commission” members and witnesses. YES, re-litigate Jan. 6 - again and again and again. Dolos needs to realize that he lives in a GLASS HOUSE. Go on Faux News Channel because it is just like an “unrepresented” Republican district - i.e. plenty of visuals devoid of facts. The VISUAL EVIDENCE IS NOW ON YOUR SIDE. GO ON ESPN (a male-leaning channel) and express concern about the viability of the pending World Cup with actors like Dolos and Miller in the mix. With measles rampant and anti-vax officials influencing policy, will tourists want to visit the USA (weak ticket sales?): https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/soccer/heres-what-fifa-president-gianni-infantino-said-about-ice-cbp-agents-at-club-world-cup/ar-AA1GwUkA ?
P.P.S.: Do the following now! FIRST, TEACH CIVICS. Second, register voters. THIRD, TEACH CIVICS. Rinse. Repeat.
P.P.P.S.: Every local office of the Democratic Party and of the elected officials (including state representatives on up) must become a site for civic teach-ins and a clearing house for needed services (with Federal departments being sabotaged). The fact is that Democrats believe in the value of government and of government service, and the other side (i.e. the MAGAts and the illiberals) simply doesn’t. This engagement process will make registering partisan voters and teaching civics much easier.
Most Americans living today probably know absolutely nothing about the Berlin Airlift. If Rachel piqued your interest, the best one-volume history of the event is Richard Reeves' "Daring Young Men." It's a very readable eye opener
The Berlin Airlift changed much more than is realized.
The experience of the Western Allies working closely with the Germans of the city led to both sides coming to a deeper understanding of each other personally, which was the first step to creating the friendship between the US and Germany that has existed since.
The effort by the Americans to save the city led to the creation of the Marshall Plan and American acceptance that our position as most powerful country on the planet included the responsibility to take on the work necessary to insure another Second World War didn't happen.
NATO was born from the airlift, changing the political alignments of western Europe and leading eventually to the EU.
We take for granted our ability to track the delivery of any package we order. The ability to do this was created during the airlift to insure the ability to know what had been sent to Berlin. The 24/7 all weather air transport system we've had all our lives was the result of the development of the electronic navigation aids that let the cargo planes land at Tempelhof every three minutes, regardless of the weather.
The movie "The Big Lift," starring Montgomery Clift in the first film he was recognized in, was shot "on location" in Germany during the airlift. Most of the "actors" in it are German citizens and Allied troops, most particularly the aircrews. It's available at TCM and also on YouTube.
The now-unknown Berlin Airlift might just be the most significant event of the 20th Century since it opened the possibility of life being as we have known it.
I love this post! Thank you for the hope. <3
Thanks. Very inspiring.
I needed this today. Thank you.
What a wonderful post, Rachel! It speaks volumes to the importance of grit, perseverance, and vision, particularly in the trying times we find ourselves in. Thank you!
Thanks for this Rachel. Every day, do something to fight back. write a post. talk to a friend or family member. protest cruelty. stand up. donate to a charity. be visible.
The fascists want us to despair. Every day we don't we win.
Another inspiring piece by Rachel. I love your lessons from history, your many illustrations and supporting photos. Your writing is clear, easy to read, and always relevant to the moment we’re living in. Thank you!
My father was from Berlin. His family’s house happened to be in the west, and he had just turned 18 when the blockade happened. In a city of 2 million, more than one million came out to protest. And the west came through. We will also come through.
One need not hope in order to undertake, nor succeed in order to persevere.
- William The Silent, aka William, Prince of Orange, April 24, 1533 - July 10, 1584.
Was a Dutch Revolt leader against Spain. He was the first European politician to be assassinated by a gun.
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.”
― Frank Herbert, Dune
Here is a moment of extreme GEEK from one of my favorite Sci-Fi series (4 minutes): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMjNu_MFGa8 . Yes, the “Shadows have returned” to Z’ha’dum, and they are moving quickly. Remember when someone in our Federal government discussed letting two nations “fight” like children? It seems that this is a tired concept of the dark side (50 seconds): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnH4tOuqKkw&list=TLPQMDQwNzIwMjUjgb2mD_k0pw .
Folks:
I have seen a number of sullen posts and notes in different forums after the signing of the “Massive Murder Measure.” There certainly have been worse days in this country’s history. Some of us knew this fact coming into the November 2024 elections (e.g. 92% of Black women voters). So, when I get uncertain, I reference the Harlem Hellfighters, aka the “Blood-Seeking Black Men” per the Germans, of WWI (some DISTURBING IMAGES, timestamps - 4:56, 8:35, 12:40, 14:00, 15:00*, 17:44, 18:40, 21:20*, 23:00, 24:50*, 26:26, and 27:45) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dt7Y62RXk0c .
I think that our current SecDef would have trouble with this history. This is curious. Hopefully, Disney will not get in trouble for the mini-documentary.
Think of the hurdles that the Hellfighters faced before, during, and after a World War (including lynchings) to become LEGENDS. The icon next to my name in this Substack environment is from one of their awards (The Croix de Guerre). They also helped to bring Jazz to the world (i.e. multidimensional people). These heroes literally fought and died (800 out of 2,000) to help create the multi-racial democracy that we live in now at a time when their prospects were certainly less than stellar in the nation of their birth. Let’s grab an ounce of their courage for the days, weeks, and months ahead.
CARTHAGO DELENDA EST (via nonviolence).
P.S. : DEMOCRATIC officials keep mentioning (and showing) Jan. 6 and the PARDONS relative to the current “law and order” push by Dolos and his associates. This is a simple but strong contrast. Use social media to promote testimonies by former “January 6 Commission” members and witnesses. YES, re-litigate Jan. 6 - again and again and again. Dolos needs to realize that he lives in a GLASS HOUSE. Go on Faux News Channel because it is just like an “unrepresented” Republican district - i.e. plenty of visuals devoid of facts. The VISUAL EVIDENCE IS NOW ON YOUR SIDE. GO ON ESPN (a male-leaning channel) and express concern about the viability of the pending World Cup with actors like Dolos and Miller in the mix. With measles rampant and anti-vax officials influencing policy, will tourists want to visit the USA (weak ticket sales?): https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/soccer/heres-what-fifa-president-gianni-infantino-said-about-ice-cbp-agents-at-club-world-cup/ar-AA1GwUkA ?
P.P.S.: Do the following now! FIRST, TEACH CIVICS. Second, register voters. THIRD, TEACH CIVICS. Rinse. Repeat.
P.P.P.S.: Every local office of the Democratic Party and of the elected officials (including state representatives on up) must become a site for civic teach-ins and a clearing house for needed services (with Federal departments being sabotaged). The fact is that Democrats believe in the value of government and of government service, and the other side (i.e. the MAGAts and the illiberals) simply doesn’t. This engagement process will make registering partisan voters and teaching civics much easier.
Very inspiring! Thank you.
Great reminder to keep on keeping on. Democracy is a fight worth fighting for. Thanks again Rachel for keeping it real.
What an inspiring and moving article. Thank you.