Learn Our History Today: January 25

On January 25, 1942, Thailand declared war on the United States and England.

When war broke out in September 1939, both France and England had hoped Thailand would support the Allied effort.  The reason for this is that both countries had territories that surrounded Thailand, and Thailand’s support would mitigate the Japanese from encroaching on their territories.  However, Thailand swayed in the opposite direction, building strong relations with Japan.

On December 8, 1941, after the Japanese had bombed Pearl Harbor, Thailand’s prime minister, Lang Pipul collaborated with the Japanese in what was a comprehensive sweep of the South Pacific islands.  By doing this, he embraced the Axis power’s mission to take Chinese territory by force and have a stronghold in the South Pacific.  As Pipul wanted to partake, he declared war against the United States and England.

And on this day in 1971, Charles Manson and three rebellious female followers were convicted of the brutal murder of Sharon Tate and six others in 1969.