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Today In History - 9/8/2008

1943: Italy's surrender is announced

U.S. General Dwight D. Eisenhower announced the Allied armistice with Italy today. Italy's surrender was signed five days earlier in Sicily, but kept secret until "a moment most favorable to the Allies."

On September 8, 1943, the Winnipeg Free Press included the text of Eisenhower's announcement, which was broadcast over Allied headquarters radio. The announcement began, "This is Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, commander-in-chief of the Allied forces. The Italian government has surrendered its armed forces unconditionally. As Allied commander-in-chief, I have granted a military armistice, the terms of which have been approved by the government of the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Union of Soviet Socialist republics. Thus I am acting in the interest of the United Nations."

NOTE: After the surrender was made public, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt warned that it was too early to assume that war would end in the Mediterranean. In a Washington broadcast, he stated, "The time has not yet come for celebration."



Links to the Past
Links to the Past icon Meets Full Terms of Allies
The Herald Press, September 8, 1943

Links to the Past icon Continued: Italy Surrenders to Allies; Fighting Ends


Links to the Past icon Eisenhower Announces Surrender
Winnipeg Free Press, September 8, 1943

Links to the Past icon Continued: Eisenhower


Links to the Past icon Unconditional Surrender Announced by Eisenhower
Dunkirk Evening Observer, September 8, 1943


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