Lenawee County history: The 'day before' – a look at Dec. 6, 1941

Dan Cherry
·2 min read
Dan Cherry is a Lenawee County historian.
Dan Cherry is a Lenawee County historian.

Over the years, historians have asked people, "where were you on" on whatever significant day in history is being researched.

Examples that come to mind are Nov. 22, 1963, July 20, 1969, and Sept. 11, 2001, dates I have asked, myself, of others when working on projects.

Seldom are people asked, "What do you remember about the day before," the last 24 hours before our lives were affected by the next day's events.

In some days, that day before is just as important. For a time, it would have been the last "normal" day we had for a while, as we processed whatever major event happened the next day.

In Lenawee County on Dec. 6, 1941, the day before Imperial Japanese forces attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, the uncertainty of war overseas dominated the front page. Less than 24 hours later, it would be brought to America's front door.

This advertisement from Dec. 6, 1941, announced entertainment for Sunday, Dec. 7. The features were among the last activities scheduled locally before the United States was pulled into World War II, following the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces attack on Pearl Harbor.
This advertisement from Dec. 6, 1941, announced entertainment for Sunday, Dec. 7. The features were among the last activities scheduled locally before the United States was pulled into World War II, following the Imperial Japanese Armed Forces attack on Pearl Harbor.

Discussions were being had between Japan and the United States on Dec. 6. A commission was being considered in Washington, D.C., to "consider the entire Pacific problem and attempt to solve it without recourse to arms."

It was proposed that "both Washington and Tokyo would 'continue with sincerity to try to find a common formula for a peaceful solution,'" according to Count Kentaro Kaneko, a longtime student of United States affairs. Several other articles spoke of relations between the two countries to solve the "problems in the Pacific."

In Adrian, the Croswell Theater was set to launch the Bing Crosby film “Birth of the Blues” on Sunday. Schwartz Restaurant, 121 N. Main St., advertised it would serve a “delicious Sunday dinner” of roast turkey with cranberry relish, fried young chicken with biscuits and gravy, steaks and chops.

Subscribe Now: For all the latest local developments, breaking news, and high school and college sports content.

The Adrian Kiwanis Club announced it would give attention to underserved children in the Adrian area in need of dental care. The school district’s visiting nurse was tasked with supplying a list of eligible children to the club. “Only children with their second teeth will be cared for under the project,” the article stated.

The Morenci and Hudson basketball teams both emerged as victors in Friday night’s court action, each winning in their respective Lenawee County Athletic Association matches; Morenci won over Manchester, 37-24; and Hudson over Addison, 19-17.

Church services would go on as normal, as the Pearl Harbor attack did not commence until early afternoon Eastern time, among the last activities Lenawee County residents experienced before the world as they knew it changed forever.

— Dan Cherry is a Lenawee County historian.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Lenawee County history: The 'day before' – a look at Dec. 6, 1941