Category Archives: 1940s

‘Mildred Pierce’ opens in New York City 80 years ago this hour (Sep 28 1945)


Video: 'Mildred Pierce' trailer

(Friday, September 28, 1945, doors opened at 9:00 a.m. EDT)Mildred Pierce, a drama film about a woman who turns herself into a business tycoon to win her selfish daughter a place in society, opened today at the Strand Theatre at 1579 Broadway, at the northwest corner of 47th Street and Broadway in Times Square, New York City. Continue reading ‘Mildred Pierce’ opens in New York City 80 years ago this hour (Sep 28 1945)

French reassert colonial control in Saigon 80 years ago today (Sep 23 1945)


Video: 'Vietnam: The Ten Thousand Day War - Dien Bien Phu [2/13]' (Sept. 23, 1945, at 6:12)

(Sunday, September 23, 1945; during War in Vietnam (1945–46)) — Shortly after the Democratic Republic of Vietnam had issued its Declaration of Independence, a group of former French troops, acting with the content of the British forces that had arrived in Saigon from their sweep through Burma in the last days of World War II and armed with Japanese weapons stolen from surrender stockpiles, staged a local coup d’etat today and seized control of the administration of Saigon. Continue reading French reassert colonial control in Saigon 80 years ago today (Sep 23 1945)

Nazi radio propagandist ‘Lord Haw Haw’ sentenced to death 80 years ago this hour (Sep 19 1945)


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

(Wednesday, September 19, 1945, 4:00 p.m. BDST) — Nazi radio propagandist William Joyce, known as “Lord Haw-Haw,” was convicted of treason and sentenced to death today by a British court.

‘Till the End of Time’ by Perry Como peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago today (Sep 15 1945)

(Saturday, September 15, 1945) — “Till the End of Time” by Perry Como was the #1 song on today’s Billboard Best Selling Retail Records chart for ten consecutive weeks (Sep. 15/22/29, Oct. 6/13/20/27, Nov. 3/10/17, 1945; tied with “Chickery Chick” by Sammy Kaye and His Orchestra on Nov. 17, 1945).

Norwegian Nazi collaborator Vidkun Quisling 80 years ago today (Sep 10 1945)


Video: '1945 Newsreel: Vidkun Quisling is executed'

(Monday, September 10, 1945) — His ashen face immobile, Vidkun Quisling, a Norwegian military officer, politician and Nazi collaborator who headed the government of Norway during the country’s occupation by Nazi Germany during World War II, was found guilty and sentenced to death today in Oslo, Norway. Continue reading Norwegian Nazi collaborator Vidkun Quisling 80 years ago today (Sep 10 1945)

Bess Myerson first Jewish contestant crowned Miss America 80 years ago tonight (Sep 8 1945)


Video: 'Miss America 1945, Bess Myerson Dies At The Age Of 90'

(Saturday, September 8, 1945, late evening Eastern War Time)Bess Myerson of New York was crowned Miss America tonight in Atlantic City, New Jersey, becoming the first Jewish contestant to win the title. Continue reading Bess Myerson first Jewish contestant crowned Miss America 80 years ago tonight (Sep 8 1945)

U.S. forces land at Incheon, Korea 80 years ago this hour (Sep 8 1945)


Video: 'Korean War - PART 1, Prelude to war (1945) 6.25' (Sep. 8, 1945, at 5:31)

(Saturday, September 8, 1945, a few minutes after noon KST) — Six days after the formal surrender of the Empire of Japan to the Allies, U.S. forces landed at Incheon, Korea, and established a military government shortly thereafter. Continue reading U.S. forces land at Incheon, Korea 80 years ago this hour (Sep 8 1945)

President Harry S. Truman gives Congress program for peace 80 years ago this hour (Sep 6 1945)


Video: 'American Experience - Truman (1997) - Part 4' (Sep. 6, 1945, at 3:29)

(Thursday, September 6, 1945, 8:00 a.m. EDT) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman delivered a special message to Congress today, proposing a 21-point program for a peace time economy, including an increase in the minimum wage, aid for housing and a bill for the first pre-paid medical insurance in the nation’s history. Continue reading President Harry S. Truman gives Congress program for peace 80 years ago this hour (Sep 6 1945)

Woman branded ‘Tokyo Rose’ arrested in Yokohama 80 years ago today (Sep 5 1945)


Video: 'Tokyo 'rose' Questioned (1945)'

(Wednesday, September 5, 1945) — Japanese-American Iva Toguri D’Aquino, suspected of being wartime broadcaster “Tokyo Rose,” was arrested today in Yokohama. Continue reading Woman branded ‘Tokyo Rose’ arrested in Yokohama 80 years ago today (Sep 5 1945)

Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnam an independent republic 80 years ago this hour (Sep 2 1945)


Video: 'The Vietnamese Proclamation of Independence'

(Saturday, September 2, 1945; just after 2:00 p.m. Indochina Time) — Ho Chi Minh declared the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the country’s independence from France during a public meeting in front of thousands of people at what is now Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi. Continue reading Ho Chi Minh declares Vietnam an independent republic 80 years ago this hour (Sep 2 1945)