I'm An American Day 1943 part 2

Recorded Sound | Digitized | RG Number: RG-91.0080

Overview

Description: On May 16, 1943, the I’m An American Day radio broadcast in Central Park continues with Bill Stein playing the violin, followed by a band. New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia introduces Maj. Raymond Massey of the Canadian Army. The military officer reads “A Prayer for Victory” by Maj Dick Diespecker of the Royal Canadian Artillery. Australian Soprano Marjorie Lawrence sings Alceste Aria (When Freedom Rings). 22-year old Pvt Vernon A. Eagle from Iowa, speaks to the crowd. He lost his leg in battle during a mission in Africa. Navy Lt. Lawrence Patrick Mooney, who served on the USS Vincent, talks to the listeners about owing the men who died defending freedom. Coast Guard Lt. Cdr Maurice David Jester also speaks of his pride in serving with American men. The Coast Guard Quartet sings This is America. Rabbi Stephen Wise reads Psalm 18. John Pierce and the Metropolitan Opera House sings.

U.S. Vice President Henry A. Wallace addresses the crowd. He reflects on his recent trip to South America. The Vice President assures the public Americans are doing their duty to help win the war. He talks about the democratic spirit Chilean people. He tells the story of a young girl picking a desert flower for him. The program ends with Vice President Wallace stating immigrants from Europe chose to become citizens to help build enduring democracy and wipe fascism off the face of the earth.
Date: Broadcast: 1943 May 16
Format: WAV

Physical Details

Language: English
Genre/Form: Radio broadcasts.

Rights & Restrictions

Conditions on Access: This archival media can only be accessed in a Museum reading room or other on-campus viewing stations.
Copyright: NBC Universal
Conditions on Use: Contact NBC Universal at www.nbcuniarchives.com for permission to duplicate and use this film or sound recording.

Administrative Notes

Legal Status: In process
Recorded Sound Provenance: The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum purchased digital copies of these sound recordings from the Library of Congress in March 2018.
Recorded Sound Notes: More information about I’M AN AMERICAN:
https://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/our-history/historians-mailbox/im-american
https://www.npr.org/2017/10/16/557338355/im-an-american-radio-show-promoted-inclusion-before-world-war-ii
Recorded Sound Source: Library of Congress - Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound Division (MBRS)

Record last modified:: 2024-02-21 07:27:13
This page:: https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn621033

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Also in "I'm An American" NBC radio broadcasts

I’M AN AMERICAN premiered in 1940 on the eve of WWII. The NBC radio broadcast was spearheaded by the Immigration and Naturalization Service of the U.S. Department of Labor to foster a “deeper consciousness of the privileges and responsibilities of citizenship and more tolerance for fellow american of all birthplaces”. The weekly program featured distinguished foreign-born citizens discussing their naturalization process, the meaning of “democracy” and reminding all Americans of the value/privilege of U.S. citizenship. Sound recordings of I’M AN AMERICAN are available from the NBC Radio Collection in the Library of Congress.

Date: 1940-1944

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I'm An American Day 1943 part 2

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