I address my words to the people of Paris. Two weeks ago France and Allied troops made their entry into the city. They came to give the coup de grace to the last elements of the enemy remaining here. But the liberation of Paris was already nearly complete. A week before, armed with courage and with resolution, the men of the French Forces of the Interior, who for four years, under the inspiration of General de Gaulle, had never ceased to struggle against the enemy, went into the streets to drive out the despised invader. The glory of having largely freed their Capital belongs to Frenchmen.

Every member of the Allied Force shared your joy when Paris was at last returned to its people and to France. From that hour the dark cloud of the enemy’s presence was blown away. Liberty had come back to one of its traditional homes.

All members of the Allied Force wish to express to the population of Paris their fraternal admiration. On their behalf I present to the city the shield of the Supreme Headquarters of the Allied Expeditionary Force. It symbolizes the flaming sword of liberation which, dissolving the darkness of German tyranny rises under the rainbow of the colors of the United Nations to the blue sky of freedom and of peace.

The shield I present today is temporary, soon to be replaced by one of metal which we hope may be placed in a permanent and appropriate setting.

May this simple object recall forever the great day of the liberation of Paris.