Category Archives: 1940s

Battle of Okinawa ends with Allied victory 70 years ago this hour (June 22 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: '(5/5) Pacific Lost Evidence Okinawa World War II' (June 21-22, 1945, at 1:11)

(Friday, June 22, 1945, 4:00 a.m. JST; during the Battle of Okinawa, part of the Pacific Theatre of World War II) — The 82-day Battle of Okinawa, one of the bloodiest in the Pacific, ended today when Japanese Lieutenant General Mitsuru Ushijima, the commander of Okinawa’s defense, committed suicide with a number of Japanese officers and troops rather than surrender to the Allies.


Video: 'Battlefield S6/E4 - Destination Okinawa' (June 22, 1945, at 1:39:25)


Video: 'World War 2 II in Colour The Second World War in Colour FULL FILM DOCUMENTARY]' (June 22 1945, at 2:20:54)


Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode 22-Japan(1941-1945)' (June 22, 1945, at 42:37)


Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode-23 Pacific (February 1942 – July 1945)' (June 22, 1945, at 48:26)


Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode 24-The Bomb(February–September 1945)' (June 22, 1945, at 22:49)

‘The Naughty Nineties’ opens in New York City 70 years ago today (June 20 1945)

1940s, Movies 1940s


Video: 'ABBOT & COSTELLO The Naughty Nineties_ 1'

(Wednesday, June 20, 1945) — 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 today at Loew’s Criterion in New York City. Continue reading ‘The Naughty Nineties’ opens in New York City 70 years ago today (June 20 1945) →

President Truman approves plan to invade Japan 70 years ago this hour (June 18 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode 24-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 (click here to watch a clip from this on “American Experience: Truman” at 1:48:58).

Million people cheer Eisenhower as he returns to Washington 70 years ago today (June 18 1945)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'Eisenhower en Washington y Nueva York / Eisenhower in Washington and New York' (June 18, 1945, at 0:21-1:12)

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(Monday, June 18, 1945; 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 70 years ago today (June 18 1945) →

Stimson briefs Truman on his ambivalence on dropping the atomic bomb on Japanese cities 70 years ago this hour (June 6 1945)

1940s, World War II


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 70 years ago today (June 4 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Peter Jennings - Hiroshima: Why the Bomb was Dropped (1995)' (June 4, 1945, 35:33)

(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.”

Anne Frank’s father, Otto, returns to Amsterdam 70 years ago today (June 3 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Anne Frank (The Whole Story)' (June 3, 1945, at 2:47:31)

(Sunday, June 3, 1945; during World War II) — Otto Frank, a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp, returned to Amsterdam today, not knowing whether his daughters, Anne and Margot, are still alive. He is reunited with Miep and Jan Gies, two of the people who protected his family while they were in hiding in the Secret Annexe from 1942 to 1944 (click here to watch scenes from this time depicted in the 1959 film The Diary of Anne Frank at 5:35 and 2:50:59, although Otto did not receive the diary until after he confirmed his daughter’s death on July 18, 1945). Continue reading Anne Frank’s father, Otto, returns to Amsterdam 70 years ago today (June 3 1945) →