First Nations readers are advised this article contains names and images of deceased people.
Recent news stories have highlighted the importance of the handshake in American presidential meetings – President Trump is said to have a deliberately firm, aggressive handshake. So while we’re talking about shaking hands, let’s look at some handshakes, points, touches and other gestures that made a statement in Australian history.
MacArthur meets Curtin
Douglas MacArthur was the American general in charge of combat operations in the Pacific during World War II. After the Philippines fell to Japanese invasion in 1942, MacArthur transferred his command base to Australia. He and Prime Minister John Curtin had a strong rapport, and shared goals for the defence of the Australian mainland. With thousands of American servicemen posted in Australia during MacArthur’s stay, it saw the beginning of the long alliance between the two countries and influenced Australian society in countless ways.