At this month’s meeting, members of the History Group were treated to a thoughtful and well-researched presentation by our long-standing contributor Mike Granville.
Group Leader Keith Smith opened the session by noting that Mike has given at least six presentations to the group over the years, each known for its depth of research and clarity of delivery.
This time, Mike turned his attention to 1946 — a year that not only shaped the modern world but also happened to be the year of his own birth. His presentation explored the global landscape that emerged from the aftermath of the Second World War, focusing on the major powers: Britain, the USA, the USSR, Germany, France, Japan, and China.
Through careful analysis and vivid images, Mike examined both the geopolitical shifts and the everyday realities faced by ordinary people in a world struggling to recover. While Britain and the USSR grappled with post-war hardship despite their victory, the USA, largely untouched on the home front, emerged in a position of growing dominance.
Archival photographs illustrated the human side of this story — scenes that resonated with those in attendance who could remember, however faintly, the austerity and resilience of those years.
After an engaging session, Keith thanked Mike for an excellent presentation and invited members who, like Mike, were born in 1946 to join him for a commemorative photograph — a fitting close to a reflective and enlightening morning.
