Bedside Note of President Franklin D. Roosevelt Regarding the Invasion of Poland by Germany
9/1/1939
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This item is a penciled notation written by President Franklin D. Roosevelt while in bed on September 1, 1939 at 3:05 a.m., and records how he received news that Germany had invaded Poland and was bombing Polish cities, thus beginning World War II. The note documents that Roosevelt received word of the invasion from Ambassador Anthony Biddle, through Ambassador William Bullitt. The note also documents the President's order that all Navy ships and Army commands be notified by radio of the German invasion.
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In the early morning of September 1, 1939, German tanks crossed the German-Polish border—sparking World War II. Five hours later, at 3:05 A.M. local time, President Franklin D. Roosevelt received a phone call from Ambassador William C. Bullitt in Paris, who relayed the news from Ambassador Anthony Biddle in Warsaw. After notifying the military, FDR jotted down this bedside note.
This primary source comes from the President's Secretary's File (Franklin D. Roosevelt Administration).
National Archives Identifier: 198127
Full Citation: Bedside Note of President Franklin D. Roosevelt Regarding the Invasion of Poland by Germany; 9/1/1939; President's Secretary's File (Franklin D. Roosevelt Administration). [Online Version, https://docsteach.org/documents/document/bedside-note-of-president-franklin-d-roosevelt-regarding-the-invasion-of-poland-by-germany, March 29, 2024]Rights: Public Domain, Free of Known Copyright Restrictions. Learn more on our privacy and legal page.