On December 10, 1906 the president of the United States was awarded the Nobel Prize prize for peace. It was a controversial award. The award represents the unique time in history, the complex legacy of the nations twenty-sixth president, and the persistent disagreement over an award for peace given in a world where reality makes peace uncommon at best.
After vicious fighting and years of panic in Europe over Napoleon Bonaparte, events have finally turned against the emperor. Outnumbered and deposed, he abdicated, and was exiled to the island of Elba. As the allies bickered Napoleon plotted his return.
By September of 1944, the Western Allies had broken out of the Normandy beachehead, and suddenly and quickly moved across northern France . By September 7th, the 90th division was stretched across the northern sector on Patton’s Third Army’s left, advancing slowly northeast. As they did so the German defenders made a risky attack in an effort to spoil the allied advance, cutting through Allied lines in a surprise action at the small town of Mairy-Mannville.