From the Eisenhower National Historic Site Facebook Page:
Sometime around 10 p.m. on March 1, 1953, it was discovered that the Soviet leader Joseph Stalin was extremely ill, possibly suffering from high blood pressure or a stroke. He was found lying on his back on the floor of his bedroom and could only make unintelligible responses when asked what was wrong. Communist Party members did not broadcast news of his illness to the public until March 4.
When President of the United States Dwight D. Eisenhower received this news he prepared a statement concerning Stalin’s illness. Since Stalin had changed from being our ally in World War II into our chief adversary in the Cold War, Ike’s comments might seem strange to us today. But it was in tune with what he was hoping would happen in the future if things changed in the U.S.S.R. as a result of new leadership there. Here is Ike’s statement issued on March 4, 1953…
“At this moment in history when multitudes of Russians are anxiously concerned because of the illness of the Soviet ruler the thoughts of America go out to all the peoples of the U.S.S.R. – the men and women, the boys and girls – in the villages, cities, farms and factories of their homeland.
They are the children of the same God who is the Father of all peoples everywhere. And like all peoples, Russia’s millions share our longing for a friendly and peaceful world.
Regardless of the identity of government personalities, the prayer of us Americans continues to be that the Almighty will watch over the people of that vast country and bring them, in His wisdom, opportunity to live their lives in a world where all men and women and children dwell in peace and comradeship.”
Stalin died the next day, March 5.
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