George VI dies. After a long battle with cancer, George VI, King of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, has passed away. Second son of George V, he ascended the throne in 1936 following the abdication of his elder brother, Edward VIII, who had not given up marrying American divorcee Wallis Simpson. During World War II, George dedicated himself to keeping his people’s morale high by visiting bombed-out areas and war zones. With his wife, Elizabeth, he never left Buckingham Palace, braving the bombs and giving up the option of taking refuge in the countryside. He also delivered a series of radio messages of encouragement to the people, overcoming a natural stammer. In poor health since 1949, the king continued to fulfill his duties until his death in 1952. He was succeeded by his eldest daughter, Elizabeth II, who was crowned on June 2, 1953.
