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.
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.”
Video: 'The Lost Evidence Of WWII Episode 17 Okinawa' (June 4, 1945, at 38:59)
(Monday, June 4, 1945, 5:57 a.m. Japan Standard Time; during the Battle of Okinawa, part of the Pacific Theatre of World War II) — Elements of the 6th Marine Division launched an amphibious assault today on Oroku Peninsula.
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. Continue reading Anne Frank’s father, Otto, returns to Amsterdam 80 years ago today (June 3 1945)
Video: '' (May 31-June 1, 1945, at 8:28)
(Friday, June 1, 1945, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m./1:45 p.m.-3:30 p.m. EWT; during World War II) — The Interim Committee met again secretly today at the Pentagon, formally deciding that the atomic bomb “should be used against Japan as soon as possible; that it be used on a war plant surrounded by workers’ homes; and that it be used without prior warning.”
Video: 'Peter Jennings - Hiroshima: Why the Bomb was Dropped (1995)' (June 1, 1945, 41:05)
Member James F. Byrnes then went to the White House and briefed President Harry S. Truman of the decision (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:46:11).
Video: 'Peter Jennings - Hiroshima: Why the Bomb was Dropped (1995)' (May 31, 1945, 32:09/39:27)
(Thursday, May 31, 1945, 10:00 a.m.-1:15 p.m./2:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m. EWT; during World War II) — The Interim Committee, created by Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson at the urging of leaders of the Manhattan Project (a research and development project that produced the first atomic bombs), met secretly today at the Pentagon to consider the idea of giving the Japanese a non-combat demonstration of the new weapon of mass destruction.
Video: 'Harry S. Truman — Bess Truman Christens an Ambulance Plane'
(Memorial Day, Wednesday, May 30, 1945; during World War II) — In her first public appearance as first lady, Bess Truman today tried to christen an ambulance plane at Washington’s National Airport with a unprepared bottle of champagne. Continue reading First lady Bess Truman christens ambulance plane 80 years ago today (May 30 1945)
Video: 'Death Of Himmler (1945)'
(Wednesday, May 23, 1945, 11:14 p.m. CEST; on the Western Front and Eastern Front during World War II) — Nazi official Heinrich Himmler, Reichsführer of the Schutzstaffel (SS) and one of the people most directly responsible for the Holocaust, committed suicide tonight by biting into a cyanide capsule while in British custody in Luneburg, Germany. Continue reading Nazi war criminal Heinrich Himmler commits suicide while in British custody 80 years ago this hour (May 23 1945)
Video: 'USS Bunker Hill (CV-17) damaged by suicide planes - 11 May 1945'
(Friday, May 11, 1945, shortly after 10:00 a.m. JST; during the Battle of Okinawa, part of the Pacific Theatre of World War II) — The aircraft carrier USS Bunker Hill was attacked and severely damaged today by two kamikaze aircraft off Okinawa; according to the U.S. Navy’s official website, 346 men were killed, 43 were left missing, and 264 were wounded.
Video: 'The 75th anniversary of the liberation of the German Nazi concentration camp KL Stutthof'
(Wednesday, May 9, 1945; part of The Holocaust during World War II) — The Stutthof concentration camp, built in a secluded, wet, and wooded area near the small town of Sztutowo (Stutthof) 34 km (21 mi) east of the city of Gdansk in northern Poland, was liberated today by Soviet forces. Continue reading Stutthof becomes last Nazi concentration camp liberated by Allies 80 years ago today (May 9 1945)
