Category Archives: 1940s

Former Premier of Vichy France and Nazi collaborator Pierre Laval executed 80 years ago this hour (Oct 15 1945)


Video: 'Former Prime Minister of France, Pierre Laval, is executed for treason, Paris, Fr...HD Stock Footage'

(Monday, October 15, 1945, 12:31 p.m. Central European Time; after World War II) — The former premier of Vichy France Pierre Laval was shot today (after a thwarted suicide attempt) in Fresnes (in the southern suburbs of Paris) by a firing squad for treason. Continue reading Former Premier of Vichy France and Nazi collaborator Pierre Laval executed 80 years ago this hour (Oct 15 1945)

Detroit Tigers win World Series in seven games 80 years ago this hour (Oct 10 1945)


Video: 'World Series 1945'

(Wednesday, October 10, 1945, 4:01 p.m. CST) — The Detroit Tigers won the 1945 World Series today, beating the Chicago Cubs 9-3 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, in the seventh and deciding game. Continue reading Detroit Tigers win World Series in seven games 80 years ago this hour (Oct 10 1945)

Truman: Atomic bomb secret to be shared with Britain, Canada only 80 years ago this hour (Oct 8 1945)

truman

(Monday, October 8, 1945, 8:15 p.m. CST) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman declared this evening that the secrets of the atomic bomb would be shared only with Britain and Canada during a press conference in Tiptonville, Tennessee.

Elvis Presley, 10, makes first public appearance 80 years ago today (Oct 3 1945)


Video: 'Elvis Presley's early influences and 'Old Shep''

(Wednesday, October 3, 1945) — Ten-year-old Elvis Presley made his first public appearance in a talent show today at the Mississippi-Alabama Dairy Show, singing “Old Shep.” He won fifth place and $5.

Eisenhower removes Patton from Bavaria post after remarks on Nazis 80 years ago today (Oct 2 1945)


Video: 'How Patton’s Words Ended His Career After World War II'

(Tuesday, October 2, 1945) — Gen. George S. Patton has been relieved of his command of the Third Army and his post as military governor of Bavaria, Allied headquarters announced tonight. Continue reading Eisenhower removes Patton from Bavaria post after remarks on Nazis 80 years ago today (Oct 2 1945)

‘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)