Category Archives: World War II

Nazi war criminal Heinrich Himmler commits suicide while in British custody 80 years ago this hour (May 23 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


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) →

USS Bunker Hill attacked, severely damaged off Okinawa 80 years ago this hour (May 11 1945)

1940s, World War II


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.

Stutthof becomes last Nazi concentration camp liberated by Allies 80 years ago today (May 9 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


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) →

Oskar Schindler’s labor camp Brünnlitz liberated 80 years ago today (May 9 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Schindler's List (8/9) Movie CLIP - He Who Saves One Life Saves the World Entire (1993) HD'

(Wednesday, May 9, 1945; part of The Holocaust during World War II) — The labor camp Brünnlitz, a sub-camp of the Nazi concentration camp Gross-Rosen located in the village of Brnenec in the Czech Republic where 1,200 Jews worked in a munitions factory, was liberated today by Soviet troops about 11 hours after their protector Oskar Schindler escaped. Continue reading Oskar Schindler’s labor camp Brünnlitz liberated 80 years ago today (May 9 1945) →

Soviet forces liberate Czechoslovakia 80 years ago this hour (May 9 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Liberation Of Prague (1945)'

(Wednesday, May 9, 1945, 8:00 a.m. CEST; during the Prague Offensive on the Eastern Front of World War II) — With World War II in Europe at an end, Soviet forces liberated Czechoslovakia from Nazi occupation today. Continue reading Soviet forces liberate Czechoslovakia 80 years ago this hour (May 9 1945) →

Nazi concentration camp Theresienstadt liberated 80 years ago tonight (May 8 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Theresienstadt'

(Tuesday, May 8, 1945, evening; part of The Holocaust during World War II) — The Theresienstadt concentration camp, established in the fortress and garrison city of Terezín (German name Theresienstadt), located in what is now the Czech Republic, was liberated today by Soviet troops. Continue reading Nazi concentration camp Theresienstadt liberated 80 years ago tonight (May 8 1945) →

Churchill hails one victory, pledges crushing of Japan 80 years ago this hour (May 8 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'The Fruits Of Victory (1945)'

(Tuesday, May 8, 1945, 3:00 p.m. British Double Summer Time; on the Western Front of World War II) — British Prime Minister Churchill formally proclaimed the end of the war in Europe today, broadcasting to the world that the “evildoers *** are now prostrate before us.” But the jubilating people of Britain heard from the Prime Minister and… Continue reading Churchill hails one victory, pledges crushing of Japan 80 years ago this hour (May 8 1945) →

President Truman announces Germany’s surrender, declares Victory in Europe Day 80 years ago this hour (May 8 1945)

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


Video: '[VE Day 75] President Harry Truman's speech for Victory in Europe Day newsreel 8 May 1945'

(Tuesday, May 8, 1945, 9:00 a.m. EWT; on the Western Front of World War II) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman, on his 61st birthday, announced on radio this morning that Nazi Germany’s forces had surrendered, and that “the flags of freedom fly all over Europe” (click here for a clip of this day on “American Experience: Truman” at 1:41:50). Continue reading President Truman announces Germany’s surrender, declares Victory in Europe Day 80 years ago this hour (May 8 1945) →

Sétif and Guelma massacre begins in Algeria as French authorities clash with protesters 80 years ago this hour (May 8 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Algeria's first National Remembrance Day for the Setif Massacre'

(Tuesday, May 8, 1945, approximately 8:00 a.m. Western European Summer Time; part of the aftermath of World War II) — The Sétif and Guelma massacre began today in Algeria as French authorities clashed with protesters celebrating the surrender of Nazi Germany and calling for freedom from colonial rule; tens of thousands of Algerians are believed to have died in weeks of violence.

New York greets Nazi Germany’s surrender with cheers and caution as city awaits official V-E Day 80 years ago today (May 7 1945)

1940s, World War II

(Monday, May 7, 1945; during World War II) — New York City’s millions reacted in two sharply contrasting ways today to the news of the unconditional surrender of the German armies. Continue reading New York greets Nazi Germany’s surrender with cheers and caution as city awaits official V-E Day 80 years ago today (May 7 1945) →