The US and Russia mark Pearl Harbor and Hitler's invasion very differently – that tells us a lot about national identity
Scott Ritter- Over generations, perceptions distort history, and keeping memory alive is important for national identity
Over generations, perceptions distort history, and keeping memory alive is important for national identity
Last month, Russia marked June 22, the date Operation Barbarossa – or Hitler’s invasion of the Soviet Union – began in 1941. As a former American officer from a military family, whose close ancestors fought in World War II, I could not but reflect on why in America the date that war began for us – December 7, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor – is not observed as solemnly as June 22 is in Russia.
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