Back in 1941 ...

Published: September 3, 2010

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- Although America was not yet involved, World War II was moving into its third year in Europe.

- In the beginning, the Germans and Russians had been allies, but it didn't take long for that strange alliance to end, and, on this day, the Russians stopped the Nazi forces 90 miles south of Leningrad. President Roosevelt saw the handwriting on the wall and said the U.S. should do everything in its power to crush Hitler and his Nazi forces.

- In just over three months, Pearl Harbor would be attacked and America would be at war with Japan, as well as Germany.

- Near Sunbury, Lt. George Burgard, a Sunbury native, was visiting home and came for the visit in a 15,000-pound Army Airforce Bomber. This was to be the lieutenant's last service flight; he was entering the diplomatic service. On takeoff, Burgard had to abort the flight and belly-crashed the plane. No one was hurt, and Burgard did go on to a successful diplomatic career.

- Over Labor Day weekend, 515 died in car crashes, 31 of those in Pennsylvania.

- The start of school in Shamokin had been delayed because of polio. One child had died and four new cases had been reported the previous week.

- The hit movie of the day was playing at the Victoria. It was called "Sun Valley Serenade" and featured a great Olympic ice skater named Sonia Henney, as well as the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the hottest big band of the day. Top record sellers in town were all from that movie: "In the Mood" and "Chattanooga Choo Choo."

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