History Book: Israel founded 75 years ago

NICK EICHER, HOST: Today is Monday, May 8th. Good morning! This is The World and Everything in It from listener-supported WORLD Radio. I’m Nick Eicher.

MARY REICHARD, HOST: And I’m Mary Reichard. Next up, the WORLD History Book. Two entries today. Before this past weekend—the last coronation of an English monarch took place nearly 70 years ago—we’ll return to that ceremony together. But first, this week marks the 75th anniversary of the modern state of Israel. Here’s Paul Butler.

PAUL BUTLER, REPORTER: We begin today on May 14th, 1948. It’s a late Friday afternoon. 250 guests quietly arrive at the Tel Aviv Museum. They are there by invitation of the World Zionist Organization.

David Ben-Gurion is the group’s leader. The grandfatherly man is standing at a podium with long tables jutting out from either side. Behind him: a picture of the founder of modern Zionism. He’s flanked by two large flags hanging on the wall, each featuring a simple blue star of David on a white field. A radio microphone sits atop the podium.

SOUND: [RADIO BROADCAST]

Promptly at 6pm Ben-Gurion strikes a gavel and stands—declaring the establishment of a Jewish state. The address is broadcast on a local radio station.

SOUND: [DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE]

The Land of Israel was the birthplace of the Jewish people. Here, their spiritual, religious, and national identity was formed. Here, they achieved independence and created a culture of national and universal significance.

The Israeli Declaration of Independence is inspired by America’s founding document. The final text had only been approved an hour before. The document includes a short history of the Zionist movement, the fight against Nazism, and the desire of the Jewish people to have a nation of their own. Ben-Gurion continues:

On November 29th, 1947, the General Assembly of the United Nations adopted a Resolution for the establishment of an independent Jewish State in Palestine…This recognition by the United Nations of the right of the Jewish people to establish their independent state may not be revoked. It is, moreover, the self-evident right of the Jewish people to be a nation, like all other nations, in its own sovereign state.

Ben-Gurion announces the formation of a temporary government until a constitution can be crafted and a proper assembly formed. But in the meantime he invites Jews from around the world to come home. Here’s a bit more from the address:

Our call goes out to the Jewish people all over the world to rally to our side in the task of immigration and development and to stand by us in the great struggle for the fulfillment of the dream of generations—the redemption of Israel.

25 members of the provisional government sign the declaration immediately. Another 12 will sign later. As the last representative signs his name, the guests sing the national anthem and Ben-Gurion declares: “The State of Israel is established! This meeting is adjourned!”

The United States is the first country to recognize the new state of Israel…just 11 minutes after the declaration. And within a year of its founding, the United Nations admits Israel as the 59th member of the assembly on May 11th, 1949.

SOUND: [ISRAEL NATIONAL ANTHEM]

Next, this weekend saw the coronation of King Charles III. It’s been nearly 70 years since the last ceremony. It took place on June 2nd, 1953:

SOUND: [ARRIVAL OF QUEEN ELIZABETH TO THE CORONATION]

As Elizabeth Alexandra Mary arrives by royal carriage, 8,000 guests wait inside London’s Westminster Abbey. The coronation ceremony begins with a grand procession—followed by guests pledging their allegiance to the 27-year old monarch.

ARCHBISHOP: I here present unto you Queen Elizabeth, your undoubted queen. Well, for all you who will come this day to do your homage and service? Are you willing to do the same?

GUESTS: [Long live Queen Elizabeth!]

After fourteen months of planning, the solemn ceremony steeped in centuries of tradition takes place with great pageantry. An estimated 277 million people around the world tune in by television.

AUDIO FROM CEREMONY: There will follow the first part of the taking of the coronation oath.

After taking vows of fidelity to the United Kingdom and swearing to uphold the laws of God, Queen Elizabeth puts on ceremonial robes before taking her place upon her throne. The Archbishop then presents her with symbolic vestments and regalia.

MONTAGE: [PRESENTING THE ORB, SCEPTRE, RING, GLOVE]

ANNOUNCER: The moment of the Queen’s crowning has come.

With a flourish the Archbishop lifts the crown from its plush cushion. He clasps the crown between his hands, holds it high in the air, and slowly lowers it upon Elizabeth’s head. The guests erupt in unison.

GUESTS: All hail the queen! All hail the queen! All hail the queen!

There’s one young guest who watches intently nearby. Someone who just this weekend submitted to many of these same traditions 70 years later: Elizabeth’s first-born son: Charles.

ANNOUNCER: The Duke of Cornwall sees his mother crowned.

The cost of Queen Elizabeth’s coronation ceremony is estimated at more than one and a half million pounds—or about 40 million pounds today—which pales in comparison to King Charles III’s coronation which is expected to cost more than 125 million pounds.

[SOUND FROM CORONATION]

That’s this week’s WORLD History Book. I’m Paul Butler.

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