Political Quotes

“I rise to offer my thoughts on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the formal surrender of the Empire of Japan and the end of World War II. Mr. President, September 2, 1995, marked the day, 50 years ago, that the Empire of Japan signed documents of surrender aboard the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay, formally ending World War II. It is fitting that America commemorated the anniversary of this most pivotal event in human history--the victory of the free world over three irredeemable regimes in which human evil was institutionalized and directed toward world conquest: Germany's naziism, Italy's fascism, and Japan's militaristic imperialism. In the 2,194 days of World War II, more than 50 million human beings lost their lives. This horrific total includes nearly 300,000 Americans killed in combat, six million Jews murdered in Europe, and one million Chinese slain in the Japanese rape of Nanking. Fifty years ago, a vicious war had finally ended, but ancient cities lay in ruins. Mighty armies had been vanquished. Proud cultures had been decimated. But today, one overriding truth has gradually become clear: Though much was lost, far more has since been gained.”