Ethiopia was the first of the Allied nations to be liberated from Nazism and Fascism in the
second World War. In fact, it was partially because His Imperial Majesty had followed
closely the war, and world political events and because of the vital connection of Ethiopia
to Allied strategy, that Allied support was made available to Him and his valiant patriots in
winning the victory over Italian fascism. After the victory, Ethiopia was still at war against
the Central Powers. Ethiopia, therefore, had an inescapable interest and connection with
the subsequent Allied victory.
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Allied Victory
Aug. 15, 1945
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Today marks what will, perhaps, be recorded as the most significant day in world history, for today
has at last been brought to account and to a crushing defeat a worldwide philosophy of aggression
against all peace-loving nations. This glorious victory has been won because those peace-loving
nations have persisted for long years of incredible hardships, sacrifices, and determination to
achieve freedom, decency, and justice not for themselves alone but for the entire world. It is in this
sense that the victory over Japan which started in 1931 her infamous attack upon our great friend
the Republic of China and which led to the equally infamous aggression against Ethiopia in 1935
and against Europe in 1939, takes on its deeper significance for world history.
We have today, reversed the policy of expediency at the expense of international justice. Today
the victory which We now celebrate, represents not only the triumph over Japan, not only the
triumph over those same forces in Europe which were part and parcel of the same struggle, but
also triumph of the principle of collective security enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations
signed at San Francisco.
However, at this solemn moment in history Our hearts turn in grief and tender reflection to those
countless families throughout the world who have sacrificed their most cherished possessions,
their husbands and sons, that justice might triumph. This victory has been achieved at a cost of
lives, sufferings, and treasure that have never before been equalled. It has also recorded the
bravest and most heroic deeds and actions of modern times. In history will ever be enshrined the
battle-fields of Alamein, of Stalingrad, of Anzio, of Normandy, of Iwo Jima and of Okinawa, Ethiopia,
with the other United Nations and more than most, has contributed her maximum efforts to the
attainment of that victory. She will, with all others, however, remain eternally grateful to the
British Empire, for her aid in liberating Ethiopia and, during those dark hours of 1940 and 1941, in
carrying on alone the war for the defence of decency and liberty; to the Soviet Union, through
incredible acts of heroism, for having ground to dust the vast German armies in the East; and finally
to the United States of America for its great sacrifices in men and wealth, which with the combined
forces of Britain and the Soviet Union made possible the invasion of Europe and which by a series
of brilliant naval and air victories achieved the defeat of and victory over Japan.
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These sacrifices, the sacrifices of other United Nations and the long bitter struggle of Our Empire
for the defence and furtherance of the cause of collective security impose upon all nations alike the
obligation rendered sacred by the life-blood and sufferings of Our people to ensure that war will
not again sear the face of Our fair lands, and that justice and not expediency shall guide the
councils of nations and, in the words of the Charter of the United Nations "to reaffirm faith in
fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of
nations large and small."
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Haile Selassie the First - August 15, 1945
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