In 1940, the Soviet Union occupied and annexed Lithuania, Latvia, and the other Baltic states. These countries ceased to exist on maps, but what happened to the diplomats of the former countries? In the case of Lithuania and Latvia, the diplomatic services went into exile and continued to operate embassies in various Western nations, including the US and UK.

Following Latvian and Lithuanian declarations of independence and recognition being given by the Soviet Union and many other nations, the embassies and diplomatic staff re-entered the service of their Foreign Ministries. It should be noted, however, that the diplomats in exile did not immediately place themselves under the control of their restored governments; they waited until they were reasonably convinced that the Soviet Union would not reassert themselves and end the nascent independence of Latvia and Lithuania.

So, what does this mean? Even though Latvia and Lithuanian ceased to exist between 1940 and 1991, they have had continuous diplomatic representation in the US and UK since it was established in the wake of WW1 through to today.

Interesting

I would of that was widely known???

finland successfully defended them, did they not?
i mean, once we determine sovereignty off of indigenous populations, don't we kind of succeed the annexation of the sudetenland?

also, it should be noted, after the fall of paris, the free french continued their diplomatic representation to the west until they got to shoot in the head and hang from a noose their collaborating traitorous cowards.

That wasn't a little known nugget of history.


A little known nugget of history would be something like. Napoleon is often referred to as short, because of his height of 5`2, but what is never mentioned is that was in french feet, which differed from english feet, and were in fact longer then the english equivilant. So he was 5`7 in the foot that is commonly used nowadays. Which was a normal height for an adult male at that time.

and josephine was not her actual name.

can't we simply discuss sharpe? :(

I know lots of history, but I didn't know that. Thanks for sharing :)

Last war hero president

After Bush's promotion to Lieutenant (junior grade) on August 1, 1944, the San Jacinto commenced operations against the Japanese in the Bonin Islands. Bush piloted one of four Grumman TBM Avenger aircraft from VT-51 that attacked the Japanese installations on Chichijima. His crew for the mission, which occurred on September 2, 1944, included Radioman Second Class John Delaney and Lieutenant Junior Grade William White. During their attack, the Avengers encountered intense anti-aircraft fire; Bush's aircraft was hit by flak and his engine caught on fire. Despite his plane being on fire, Bush completed his attack and released bombs over his target, scoring several damaging hits. With his engine ablaze, Bush flew several miles from the island, where he and one other crew member on the TBM Avenger bailed out of the aircraft; the other man's parachute did not open. It has not been determined which man bailed out with Bush as both Delaney and White were killed as a result of the battle. Bush waited for four hours in an inflated raft, while several fighters circled protectively overhead until he was rescued by the lifeguard submarine USS Finback. For the next month he remained on the Finback, and participated in the rescue of other pilots.

Bush subsequently returned to San Jacinto in November 1944 and participated in operations in the Philippines until his squadron was replaced and sent home to the United States. Through 1944, he flew 58 combat missions for which he received the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals, and the Presidential Unit Citation awarded to San Jacinto.

Hey, this post has merit. :)

When I was living in Nagasaki I learned a little man made island in the city was the only place the in the world where the Dutch flag was flown for a while. And Dutch royalty to set foot on Japanese land until they are in Nagasaki.

According to some villagers in a small rural Japanese town, when Jesus was wandering the desert, he actually went all the way to japan. He started a family, had kids, and when it was time to go back to Jerusalem, his Japanese half brother went in his place. Jesus lived a long life and died peacefully in japan, where you can go visit his grave :)

Didn't they throw Christians into Volcanoes in Japan?:P

Last 2 posts just ruined the merit of this thread ...

Get back on track, this is a decent thread to keep alive

Sends intel pact to latvia.
Sends defense pact Lithuania

Vikings never had horns on their helmets.
Lady Godiva never rode naked
Vomitoriums where not what they sound like
Columbus wasn't the first to think the world was round, he just thought it was smaller then it was. Aka Columbus was a retard.

yes Good tidbits of history, wonder if them diplomats got back pay

Interesting :)

I've been playing Europa Universalis IV the last few days, and it's brushing me up on some of my history -- like the details of the Castile - Aragon merger heh

Well then post ur titbits damnit qz!

QZ! I have been playing the hell outta that lately. Denmark is tearing apart the HRE while absorbing my vassals and about to form Scandinavia. Pretty awesome stuff.


And I'm not joking about the Jesus in Japan thing. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/...jesus-in-japan-165354242/

If you want some incredibly well-presented, interesting and well-researched historical facts, check this guy out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrObZ_HZZUc

He also explains some of the most complicated things in the world, like the US political system, the EU, and the British Commonwealth.

THUNDER THUNDER THUNDER HORSE!
EATS NUGGETS!

British commonwealth is not complicated.

We are there fluffes and we do as we are told!

And in Scodes case that's sheep fluffing!

It's more than that though. He explains the uk, Britain, Great Britain, crown dependencies, overseas territories, etc etc etc.

canada asked politely to do as we pleased, and they granted us said responsibility. then we, as canadians, helped defeat the dirty hun bastard, and earned international notoriety for our bravery, our gallantry, our ability to wage war and our dedication to the crown.

we are nobodys fluffes, save the us, as they pay for my [socialized] medicine whether they realize it or not!

LIES

you can try and deny it all you want, you are the fluff of a 80+ something old woman and her family.