The 20th century saw two long, devastating and world-changing conflicts that began in Europe and engulfed the entire globe. As Britain plunged deeper into World Wars I and II, its colonies were drawn in too–including T&T.
When the US entered World War II after the bombing of Pearl Harbour in 1941, that war had an even more dramatic impact on T&T–as the Mighty Sparrow put it, "The Yankees take over now." The US set up important air and naval bases in Trinidad, and German U-boats cruised beneath the waters of the Gulf of Paria, sometimes succeeding in their aim of blowing up vital US supply ships.
In our latest keepsake historical publication, the T&T Guardian looks back at how those wars were seen from this country and the impact they had on life here–from the declaration of VJ Day, which signalled the surrender of Japan and the end of World War II in 1945, all the way back to the Victory Carnival of 1919, when T&T celebrated the end of World War I the previous November.
As the world marks the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I this month, these pages, drawn from the exclusive historical archives of the T&T Guardian, offer a unique glimpse into those dark times for the country and the world.
Remembering World Wars I and II is available free with your copy of tomorrow's T&T Guardian.