Black day to remember

Seventy years ago today:

At 0445 Central European Time, the German battleship Schleswig-Holstein opens bombardment on the Westerplatte, a Polish military base outside Danzig, firing what are, according to many sources, the first shots of World War II. At the same time, regular Wehrmacht troops begin crossing the border into Poland. (wikipedia)

It is interesting to note that on the very same day Norway, Finland, Sweden, and Switzerland declare their neutrality. Spain and Ireland followed the next day. On the 3rd September The United Kingdom, France, New Zealand and Australia declare war on Germany. Obviously declaring war is a longer process than declaring neutrality.

But declaring neutrality on the very day of the attack, what does that say? No protest, no moral judgment simply a quick raising of the hands and a shout of “not my problem”?

The day after

A wonderful full day. Woke up flew to Stockholm, train to Uppsala, lectured at the university, got interviewed. Hopped on the train to Stockholm and gave a lecture at the Technical Museum. Jumped in a taxi and I am now sitting on the train home.

Two appreciative audiences and lots of happy people. I like lecturing and meeting new people. I needed a day like this to balance out the crappy one I had yesterday.