Category Archives: 1940s

American forces overcome remaining Japanese resistance on Guam 70 years ago this hour (Aug 10 1944)


Video: 'THE BATTLE OF GUAM: WORLD WAR II - Military History (documentary)' (Aug. 10, at 41:11)

(Thursday, August 10, 1944 5:30 p.m. ChST; during the Battle of Guam, part of the Pacific War of World War II) — Guam was declared secure by the Allies today as organized Japanese resistance ended, though an estimated 7,500 Japanese soldiers were estimated to be at-large. Continue reading American forces overcome remaining Japanese resistance on Guam 70 years ago this hour (Aug 10 1944)

Anne Frank transferred to transit camp Westerbork 70 years ago today (Aug 8 1944)


Video: 'Anne Frank - The Whole Story (2001) 2/2' (Aug. 8, 1944, at 42:59)

(Tuesday, August 8, 1944, early morning CET; part of The Holocaust during World War II) — 15-year-old diarist Anne Frank, her family, the van Pel family and dentist Fritz Pfeffer, the eight people in discovered hiding in the “Secret Annex” were removed from their cells at Huis van Bewaring (House of Detention), an overcrowded prison on the Weteringschans, and taken by tram to the Centraal train station in Amsterdam today and transported in an ordinary passenger train to transit camp Westerbork.

Bing Crosby, Andrews Sisters record ‘Don’t Fence Me In’ in Los Angeles 70 years ago today (July 25 1944)


Video: 'Bing Crosby - Don't Fence Me In [Song by Cole Porter]'

(Tuesday, July 25, 1944) — Bing Crosby and the Andrews Sisters recorded Cole Porter’s “Don’t Fence Me In” today in Los Angeles for Decca Records.

Bretton Woods Conference concludes with agreements to create IMF, World Bank 70 years ago today (July 22 1944)


Video: '1944 Bretton Woods International Monetary Conference'

(Saturday, July 22, 1944; during World War II) — The Bretton Woods Conference concluded in New Hampshire today with an agreement to establish the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

Democrats nominate Senator Truman for vice president 70 years ago tonight (July 21 1944)


Video: 'Democratic Convention Chicago 1944' (VP nomination at 1:32)

(Friday, July 21, 1944, evening CWT; during World War II) — Senator Harry S. Truman of Missouri was nominated tonight as the Democratic candidate for Vice President in the fifth and final session of the twenty-eighth national convention of the party, defeating incumbent Vice President Henry Wallace 1,031-105 after votes shifted on the second ballot. Continue reading Democrats nominate Senator Truman for vice president 70 years ago tonight (July 21 1944)

American forces land on Guam 70 years ago today (July 21 1944)


Video: 'THE BATTLE OF GUAM: WORLD WAR II - Military History (documentary)' (July 21, 1944, at 7:20)

(Friday, July 21, 1944, 8:29 a.m. ChST; during the Battle of Guam, part of the Pacific War of World War II) — United States assault troops and sea forces began today the long awaited invasion of the big island of Guam and have established good beachheads against light opposition, although resistance increased in some sectors as the Americans drove inland. Continue reading American forces land on Guam 70 years ago today (July 21 1944)

Tojo out as Japanese premier, war minister 70 years ago today (July 18 1944)

(Tuesday, July 18, 1944; during the Pacific War of World War II) — Nine days after the fall of Saipan, Hideki Tojo resigned today as the 40th Prime Minister of Japan and Minister of War because of a series of setbacks suffered by his country in the war, effective July 22, 1944.

320 sailors and civilians killed in Port Chicago disaster 70 years ago this hour (July 17 1944)


Video: 'The Great Port Chicago Explosion'

(Monday, July 17, 1944, 10:20 p.m. PWT; during World War II) — 320 men, two-thirds of them African-Americans, were killed tonight when a pair of ammunition ships exploded at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine in Port Chicago, California. Another 390 people were injured.

American forces secure Saipan as last Japanese defenses fall 70 years ago this hour (July 9 1944)


Video: 'Documentary World War 2 II in Colour The Second World War color' (final Allied assault on Saipan at 1:33:34)

(Sunday, July 9, 1944, 4:15 p.m. ChST; during the Battle of Saipan, part of World War IIPacific War) — The Allied conquest of Saipan Island in Japan’s inner defense line was completed this afternoon, clearing the way for direct strikes to the Japanese mainland by U.S. B-29 bombers. Continue reading American forces secure Saipan as last Japanese defenses fall 70 years ago this hour (July 9 1944)

168 people killed in Hartford circus fire 70 years ago this hour (July 6 1944)


Video: 'Hartford Circus Fire book trailer Final Edit'

(Thursday, July 6, 1944, at about 2:00 p.m. EWT) — An estimated 168 people died today in a fire that broke out during a performance in the main tent of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Hartford, Connecticut. Among the survivors was future actor Charles Nelson Reilly, then age 13.