Saturday, March 17, 2012

Girl Scouts, 1939

From the New York Public Library Digital Archive: A photo from the 1939-1940 World's Fair, titled "Denmark Participation." Girl and Boy Scouts greet Prince Frederik and Princess Ingrid, according to the archive notes, but Frederik must have been touring elsewhere on the grounds. And that must be the princess front and center, wearing a stylish hat, cocked just so.  This link and photograph indicates the visit to New York by the royal couple occurred in May 1939.

History shadows this photograph. All hell was breaking loose in Europe, and the Nazis would occupy Denmark April 9, 1940. Wikipedia says Danish leaders in 2003 finally acknowledged that Denmark's cooperation with the Nazis was "morally unjustifiable." However it's good to remember that, to its everlasting credit, Denmark refused to enact anti-Semitic laws or round up their Jewish population despite their occupiers' insistence.  History is complicated, no? I could use a box of Thin Mints right now.

You can scout out other interesting tales at Sepia Saturday; click below.

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11 comments:

  1. PostcardyMarch 17, 2012 at 10:36 AM

    I enjoyed seeing this photo both because of the exposition and the styles.

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  2. North County Film ClubMarch 17, 2012 at 1:19 PM

    What an interesting photo. It's difficult to think what's about to happen in the lives of all those girls.
    Nancy

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  3. Little NellMarch 17, 2012 at 1:37 PM

    A very interesting picture. Thank you for the reminder of the looming events in Denmark the following year.

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  4. Bob ScotneyMarch 17, 2012 at 3:02 PM

    I've spent a lot of time in Denmark leading training courses so I was pleased to see this and the wiki link. My undying memory is the esteem for the RAF held by the Danes and the care they take over their war graves.

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  5. Tattered and LostMarch 17, 2012 at 3:35 PM

    Oh, I have 4 boxes of Thin Mints on order right now. I'm down to only two in the freezer. I must keep a supply on hand.

    Wonderful photo. I do wish I'd kept my Brownie beanie.

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  6. WendyMarch 17, 2012 at 7:26 PM

    Such a sweet moment with the girls saluting. The juxtaposition of this photo against historical events is rather chilling.

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  7. Christine H.March 17, 2012 at 11:23 PM

    Very interesting, especially with the historical context.

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  8. Alan BurnettMarch 18, 2012 at 10:41 AM

    Yes, history is complicated but images like the one you reproduce allow us an insight into the process of history almost by a back door. Fascinating.

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  9. Oregon Gifts of Comfort and JoyMarch 18, 2012 at 10:54 AM

    What a wonderful photo; it looks as if it could be part of a movie scene. I enjoyed learning the story behind it, and what was going on in other places at the time.

    Kathy M.

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  10. KristinMarch 18, 2012 at 9:38 PM

    That is something to think about - just one year later the nazis were there. You just never know.

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  11. Bruno LalibertéMarch 19, 2012 at 5:48 AM

    History is ever complex. B;lack and white don't exist. Everything is one shad of grey or another...
    :)~
    HUGZ

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