Thelma and Lowell's Birthday: August 13, 1943

They buy birthday gifts for her father; ER and FDR had opposing views on the Jews of Europe

After spending part of her day ironing, Thelma met Lowell downtown at 4:30 and they shopped for a necktie and a pair of socks for her father. At home they had a late supper and listed to the radio as they played cards.

The plight of the Jews of Euorpe was the subject of Eleanor Roosevelt’s My Day column. The inaction of her husband’s State Department and the prejudices of Congress members meant that America did very little to help them, even as the horrors of the Holocaust became well known. To read on, you’ll need to be a paid subscriber. Upgrade by clicking below.