Category Archives: 1940s

President Franklin D. Roosevelt attends Easter services in Warm Springs 80 years ago today (Apr 1 1945)


Video: 'American Experience - SO7E02 - FDR Parts 3 and 4 (October 12, 1994)' (Apr. 1, 1945, at 2:09:21)

(Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945; during World War II) — U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt attended Easter services today in Warm Springs, Georgia, with a noticeable tremor in his movements. Continue reading President Franklin D. Roosevelt attends Easter services in Warm Springs 80 years ago today (Apr 1 1945)

American forces launch amphibious invasion of Okinawa 80 years ago this hour (Apr 1 1945)


Video: 'J.Pacific Lost Evidence Okinawa World War II' (5 videos; Apr. 1, 1945, at 7:34 during first video)

(Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945, 8:15 a.m. Japan Standard Time; during the Battle of Okinawa, part of the Pacific Theatre of World War II) — The U.S. Tenth Army this morning launched the amphibious invasion of Okinawa, main island of the Ryukyus, 362 miles from the Japanese home islands. Continue reading American forces launch amphibious invasion of Okinawa 80 years ago this hour (Apr 1 1945)

U.S. B-29 bombers launch incendiary bomb attacks against Tokyo, estimated 100,000 killed 80 years ago this hour (Mar 10 1945)


Video: 'WORLD WAR 2 AIR RAIDS ON TOKYO - PART 2' (Mar. 9-10, 1945 at 3:43)

(Saturday, March 10, 1945, 12:08 a.m.-2:48 a.m. Japan Standard Time; part of the Pacific War during World War II) — In the deadliest air assault in history, hundreds of American B-29 Superfortresses swept over Tokyo early this morning, unleashing a torrent of incendiary bombs that set vast sections of the Japanese capital ablaze. Continue reading U.S. B-29 bombers launch incendiary bomb attacks against Tokyo, estimated 100,000 killed 80 years ago this hour (Mar 10 1945)

Japanese overthrow French rule in Indochina 80 years ago this hour (Mar 9 1945)


Video: 'French Foreign Legion. Massacre at Lang Son 9 March 1945'

(Saturday, March 9, 1945, 8:00 p.m. local time; part of the South-East Asian theatre of World War II) — The Japanese military staged a coup d’état in French Indochina today, effectively overthrowing French rule and taking full control of the colony, a move known as “Operation Bright Moon” where they replaced French officials with their own administration, aiming to secure the region against potential Allied advances during World War II. Continue reading Japanese overthrow French rule in Indochina 80 years ago this hour (Mar 9 1945)

American troops seize the Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine River at Remagen 80 years ago this hour (Mar 7 1945)


Video: 'US troops capture and defend the Ludendorff Bridge over the Rhine River in Remag...HD Stock Footage'

(Tuesday, March 6, 1945, 4:30 p.m. CET; during the Battle of Remagen, part of the Invasion of Germany in World War II) — U.S. forces crossed the Rhine at Remagen, Germany, today using the damaged but still usable Ludendorff Bridge.

Shattered Cologne falls to 1st Army 80 years ago today (Mar 6 1945)


Video: 'Cologne March 1945: Tank Duel at the Cathedral - The film documentary - The source'

(Tuesday, March 6, 1945; during World War II) — The Allied offensive west of the Rhine swept toward a triumphant close today when Cologne, fourth largest city of the Third Reich, fell to tank crews and doughboys of Lieut. Gen. Courtney H. Hodges’ First Army. Continue reading Shattered Cologne falls to 1st Army 80 years ago today (Mar 6 1945)

Allies secure Manila from Japanese forces 80 years ago today (Mar 3 1945)


Video: 'Liberation: Battle of Manila' (Mar. 3, 1945, at 9:05)

(Saturday, March 3, 1945; during the Battle of Manila, part of the Philippines Campaign (1944–45) in the Pacific Theatre of World War II) — The Battle of Manila, the Allied campaign to liberate the capital city of the Philippines from the Japanese, ended today with the liberation of the Finance Building. Continue reading Allies secure Manila from Japanese forces 80 years ago today (Mar 3 1945)

FDR proclaims Yalta Conference a success in address to Congress 80 years ago this hour (Mar 1 1945)


Video: 'Roosevelt Reports To Congress On Yalta Parley 220469-16.mp4 | Footage Farm'

(Thursday, March 1, 1945, 12:08 p.m. EWT; during World War II) — In what turned out to be his final public speech, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt laid responsibility for future world peace squarely in the lap of the Senate today in a historic appeal to a special joint session of Congress for full assumption by the United States of its responsibilities in “keeping the peace.” Continue reading FDR proclaims Yalta Conference a success in address to Congress 80 years ago this hour (Mar 1 1945)

‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour (Mar 1 1945)


Video: 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' (trailer)

(Thursday, March 1, 1945, doors were scheduled to open at 10:00 a.m. EWT)The Picture of Dorian Gray, a horror-drama film about a man who remains young and handsome while his portrait shows the ravages of age and sin, premiered today at the Capitol Theatre at 1645 Broadway, just north of Times Square in New York City, across from the Winter Garden Theatre. Continue reading ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour (Mar 1 1945)