Video: 'Invasion Of Sicily - First Pictures (1943)'

(Saturday, July 10, 1943, just after midnight Central European Summer Time; during the Allied invasion of Sicily, part of the Italian Campaign of World War II) — Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily, a major campaign of World War II in which the Allied forces invaded the island of Sicily and took it from the Axis powers (Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany), began early this morning as two American and two British attacks by airborne troops were carried out. Continue reading Allied invasion of Sicily during World War II begins 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 10 1943) →

Video: '202 - Kursk, When Titans Clash - July 9, 1943' (July 5, 1943, at 7:21)

(Monday, July 5, 1943, 5:00 a.m. Moscow Standard Time; during the Battle of Kursk on the Eastern Front of World War II) — The Battle of Kursk, a major World War II Eastern Front large-scale engagement between the forces of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union near Kursk in southwestern Russia, began early today as the Germans launched Operation Citadel, an offensive which had the objective of pinching off the Kursk salient with attacks on the base of the salient from north and south simultaneously. Continue reading Largest tank battle in history begins at Kursk, Russia during World War II 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 5 1943) →

Video: 'World War II: Winston Churchill speech on receiving freedom of City of London (1943)'

(Wednesday, June 30, 1943, during the Battle of the Atlantic, part of World War II) — British Prime Minister Winston Churchill said in a speech at Guildhall in London today that the Allies had achieved a “total defeat” of the German U-boat attack in May and June, sinking more than 30 in May alone, and that Great Britain would fight until Japan submits or “bite the dust.” Continue reading British Prime Minister Winston Churchill declares victory in Battle of the Atlantic, citing ‘total defeat’ of German U-boats since April 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 30 1943) →

Video: 'How Anti-Mexican Racism in L.A. Caused the Zoot Suit Riots | History'

(Thursday, June 3, 1943, evening PWT; during the Zoot Suit Riots and World War II) — The Zoot Suit Riots, a series of riots that took place from June 3–8, 1943, in Los Angeles, California, United States, involving American servicemen stationed in Southern California and young Latino and Mexican American city residents, began tonight. Continue reading Zoot Suit Riots involving American servicemen and young Latino and Mexican Americans begin in Los Angeles 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 3 1943) →

Video: 'Sir Winston Churchill's Fighting Speech To U.S. Congress (1943) | British Pathé'

(Wednesday, May 19, 1943, 12:32 p.m. EWT; during the Third Washington Conference, codenamed Trident, during World War II)— On his second wartime visit to the U.S. Capitol, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill today gave a cheering, applauding joint session of Congress a generalized preview of plans for American-British aerial attacks that will lay the great cities and munitions centers of Japan in ashes, and other British-American military moves designed to “take more of the weight off Russia in 1943.” Continue reading British Prime Minister Winston Churchill pledges Japan’s ruin, but reaffirms Nazis come first in address before joint session of Congress 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 19 1943) →

Video: '194 - The End of the War in Africa - WW2 - May 14, 1943' (May 9-13, 1943, at 8:57)

(Thursday, May 13, 1943, UK General Alexander cabled PM Churchill at 1:16 p.m. Central European Summer Time (CEST); part of Mediterranean and Middle East Theatre of World War II)— The North African Campaign — fought between the Allies and the Axis Powers since June 10, 1940 — came to an end today after the 1st Italian Army of General Giovanni Messe Messe surrendered at 12:20 p.m. CEST and the last German radio station in Africa closed down at 1:12 p.m. Continue reading Axis forces in North Africa surrender after nearly three years of fighting during World War II 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 13 1943) →

Video: 'Alaska vs. Japan - The Battle of Attu'

(Tuesday, May 11, 1943, 8:42 a.m. CAWT; during the Battle of Attu, part of the American Theater of World War II) — An assault force of 12,500 U.S. soldiers landed on the northern and southern ends of Attu Island in the Aleutian Islands today in an attempt to expel occupying Japanese Imperial Army forces led by Colonel Yasuyo Yamasaki. Continue reading U.S. forces land on Aleutian island of Attu in attempt to expel occupying Japanese forces 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 11 1943) →