史上今日：May 10
Mandela's election ends more than three centuries of white rule in SouthAfrica
1994: Mandela becomes SA's first black president
England have
Nelson Mandela has become South Africa's first black president after more
than three centuries of white rule.
Mr Mandela's African National Congress (ANC) party won 252 of the 400 seats
in the first democratic elections of South Africa's history.
The inauguration ceremony took place in the Union Buildings amphitheatre in
Pretoria today, attended by politicians and dignitaries from more than 140
countries around the world.
"Never, never again will this beautiful land experience the oppression of
one by another." Nelson Mandela said.
As part of the ceremony he pledged his allegiance to South Africa and his
determination to continue his work for reconciliation.
"I do hereby swear to be faithful to the Republic of South Africa and do
solemnly and sincerely promise to promote that which will advance and to oppose
all that may harm the republic... and to devote myself to the well-being of the
republic and all its people."
Jubilant scenes on the streets of Pretoria followed the ceremony with
blacks, whites and coloureds celebrating together.
When the new president, flanked by First Deputy President Thabo Mbeki and
Second Deputy President FW de Klerk, appeared on the Botha Lawn beneath the
Union Buildings the crowd went wild.
More than 100,000 South African men, women and children of all races sang
and danced with joy.
Addressing the crowd President Mandela paid tribute to outgoing president
Mr FW de Klerk: "He has made for himself a niche in history.
"He has turned out to be one of the greatest reformers, one of the greatest
sons of South Africa."
He also spoke of the "human disaster" of apartheid.
"We saw our country tear itself apart in terrible conflict... The time for
healing of wounds has come... Never, never again will this beautiful land
experience the oppression of one by another."
And urging forgiveness he said in Africaans: "Wat is verby verby" - "What
is past is past"
Winston Churchill leaves a Cabinet meeting at Number 10 after becoming
Prime Minister
1940: Churchill takes helm as Germans advance
Artificially 1969:
The
German forces have invaded Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg by air and
land.
The invasion began at dawn with large numbers of aeroplanes attacking the
main aerodromes and landing troops. The Dutch High Commission says more than 100
German planes were shot down by its forces.
In London, it has been announced that Winston Churchill will lead a
coalition government after Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain said he was
stepping aside.
Two days ago his majority plummeted in a vote of confidence in the Commons
during a debate on the war and there were calls from the Tory benches for him to
go.
Just about three months after leaving a job in a furniture factory, I was
supposed to face the most formidable army the world had ever seen at that
particular time
People's War memories
In his broadcast tonight Mr Chamberlain said: "Hitler has chosen a moment
when, perhaps, it seemed to him that this country was entangled in the throes of
a political crisis and he might find it divided against itself.
"If he has counted upon our internal divisions to help him he has
miscalculated the mind of this people."
The first news of the German invasion reached London at dawn. Foreign
Secretary Lord Halifax received the Belgian Ambassador and Dutch Prime Minister
at 0630 when they formally asked for Allied help.
The invasion had been expected for some time. In a proclamation issued to
the German armies in the West, Hitler said: "The hour has come for the decisive
battle for the future of the German nation."
Reports from Holland said German troops crossed the border during the
night. The Dutch destroyed bridges over the Maas and Ijssel to prevent the
German advance.
There were reports of fierce fighting at Rotterdam where German troops were
landed by flying-boat. Other planes landed at Waalhaven aerodrome and troops
quickly seized control.
This evening German forces are occupying the Maas and Bourse railway
stations in Rotterdam. There are conflicting reports about whether they are
still in possession of Waalhaven airport.
German reconnaissance planes have been seen flying overhead all day.
British and French troops have moved across the Belgian frontier in
response to appeals for reinforcements.
Reports from Belgium say British troops have been enthusiastically
received. Their guns have been festooned with flowers and the soldiers plied
with refreshments.
In Washington President Franklin Roosevelt was asked at a news conference
whether he thought Germany's invasion of the Low Countries would lead to US
involvement in the war. He replied that it would not.
Vocabulary:
amphitheat: 阶梯教室，圆形剧场
apartheid: (南非)种族隔离
entangle: to involve in (卷入，使缠上)
festoon: 用花彩装饰
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