Category Archives: 1940s

American forces withdraw from Leipzig, Germany 80 years ago today (July 1 1945)

Video: 'The World at War: Reckoning: 1945... and After (25 of 26)' (July 1, 1945, at 11:17)

(Sunday, July 1, 1945; during World War II) — American forces turned Leipzig, Germany, occupied by the U.S. since April 19, 1945, over to the Red Army today as it pulled back from the line of contact with Soviet forces to the predesignated occupation zone boundaries.

U.S. President Harry S. Truman closes UN Conference with plea to translate charter into deeds 80 years ago this hour (June 26 1945)


Video: 'UN Charter signed in San Francisco Conference and US President Harry S. Truman ad...HD Stock Footage'

(Wednesday, June 26, 1945, 5:28 p.m. PDT; during World War II) — The United Nations Conference on International Organization (UNCIO) ended this afternoon with a plea by U.S. President Harry S. Truman to translate the lofty words of the new world Charter into worthy deeds ringing in the ears of the delegates from fifty nations who signed it today. Continue reading U.S. President Harry S. Truman closes UN Conference with plea to translate charter into deeds 80 years ago this hour (June 26 1945)

Fierce Okinawa battle ends after 82 days of bloodshed 80 years ago this hour (June 22 1945)

Video: 'The Lost Evidence Of WWII Episode 17 Okinawa' (June 21-22, 1945, at 41:12)

(Friday, June 22, 1945, 10:00 a.m. Japan Standard Time; during the Battle of Okinawa, part of the Pacific Theatre of World War II) — One of the most brutal and hard-fought campaigns of the Pacific war drew to a close today as American forces secured the island of Okinawa after nearly three months of combat. Continue reading Fierce Okinawa battle ends after 82 days of bloodshed 80 years ago this hour (June 22 1945)

Abbott and Costello’s ‘The Naughty Nineties’ film opens in New York’s Times Square 80 years ago this hour (June 20 1945)


Video: 'The Naughty Nineties (1945) ORIGINAL TRAILER'

(Wednesday, June 20, 1945, scheduled for 9:00 a.m. EDT)The Naughty Nineties, a film containing perhaps the best recorded rendition of the Abbott and Costello comedy team’s classic “Who’s on First?” routine, opened this morning at Loew’s Criterion at Broadway and 45th St. in the Times Square neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. Continue reading Abbott and Costello’s ‘The Naughty Nineties’ film opens in New York’s Times Square 80 years ago this hour (June 20 1945)

Millions cheer Eisenhower in New York City 80 years ago this hour (June 19 1945)


Video: 'Eisenhower Honored In New York 220469-29.mp4'

(Tuesday, June 19, 1945, Eisenhower steps off his plane at La Guardia Field at 10:17 a.m. EDT; during World War II) — Millions of New Yorkers turned out today to cheer Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was honored with a parade.

U.S. President Harry S. Truman approves plan to invade Japan 80 years ago this hour (June 18 1945)

Video: 'The World At War Episode 24 HD - The Bomb (February – September 1945)' (June 18, 1945, at 19:27)

(Monday, June 18, 1945, 3:30 p.m. EWT; during World War II) — President Harry S. Truman met with military representatives today to discuss how the war against Japan should proceed. Truman decided to have the Joint Chiefs of Staff go ahead with plans to invade Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s four major islands on Nov. 1, 1945. Continue reading U.S. President Harry S. Truman approves plan to invade Japan 80 years ago this hour (June 18 1945)

Million people cheer Eisenhower as he returns to Washington 80 years ago this hour (June 18 1945)


Video: '"America's Welcome To General Ike"

(Monday, June 18, 1945, Eisenhower’s plane landed at 11:11 a.m. EWT; during World War II) — Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower received a tumultuous welcome today in Washington D.C., where he addressed a joint session of Congress. Continue reading Million people cheer Eisenhower as he returns to Washington 80 years ago this hour (June 18 1945)

‘Lord Haw-Haw’ Nazi propagandist charged with treason 80 years ago today (June 18 1945)


Video: 'Lord Haw-Haw Documentary (William Joyce) - Great Crimes - British, Traitor, Hanged.'

(Monday, June 18, 1945; during World War II) — William Joyce (known as “Lord Haw-Haw”), an American-born Irish-British Fascist politician, was charged today in London with high treason for his English-language wartime broadcasts on German radio.

Stimson briefs Truman on his ambivalence on dropping the atomic bomb on Japanese cities 80 years ago this hour (June 6 1945)


Video: 'Peter Jennings - Hiroshima: Why the Bomb was Dropped (1995)' (June 6, 1945, at 42:35)

(Wednesday, June 6, 1945, 10:15 a.m. EWT; during World War II) — U.S. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson met with President Harry S. Truman at the White House today, describing his agony and confusion about the dropping the atomic bomb on Japanese cities.

Japanese Foreign Minister holds out possibility of cutting deal with Soviets 80 years ago today (June 4 1945)


Video: 'Hiroshima | Why The Bomb Was Dropped (ABC Documentary)' (June 4, 1945, 35:50)

(Monday, June 4, 1945; part of the Pacific War during World War II) — Japanese Foreign Minister Togo Shigenori cabled Japanese Ambassador Naotaki Sato in Moscow today that “it is a matter of utmost urgency that we should not only prevent Russia from entering the war but should also induce her to adopt a favorable attitude toward Japan. I would therefore like you to miss no favorable opportunity to talk to the Soviet leaders.”