Category Archives: World War II

Soviet Union invades Poland from the east 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 17 1939)

1930s, World War II

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Video: 'The Soviet Story - Soviet Invasion of Poland, September 17, 1939, an excerpt.'

(Sunday, September 17, 1939, 4:00 a.m. Central European Time; during the Soviet invasion of Poland, part of the Invasion of Poland in World War II) — The Soviet Union invaded Poland from the east today, sixteen days after Germany invaded Poland from the west, launching World War II, the deadliest conflict in human history, marked by 50 to 85 million fatalities.

The Soviet invasion of Poland was secretly approved by Germany following the signing of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact on Aug. 23, 1939.

Roosevelt urges national unity as war breaks out in Europe 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 3 1939)

1930s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'FDR - Fireside Chat - Germany's Invansion of Poland 09-03-1939'

(Sunday, September 3, 1939, 10:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time; during the Invasion of Poland, part of World War II) — Pleading that the United States face Europe’s havoc with “national unity,” not selfish partisanship, President Franklin D. Roosevelt tonight solemnly promised the nation his utmost effort to keep the United States neutral. Continue reading Roosevelt urges national unity as war breaks out in Europe 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 3 1939) →

King George VI urges subjects to ‘stand calm and firm’ against Nazi Germany 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 3 1939)

1930s, World War II


Video: 'HM King George VI - War outbreak speech - 3 September 1939'

(Sunday, September 3, 1939, 6:00 p.m. British Summer Time; during the Invasion of Poland, part of World War II) — Seven hours after Britain declared war on Nazi Germany, King George VI of England urged his subjects all over the world tonight to “stand calm and firm” in the face of a war in which “it is unthinkable that we should refuse to meet the challenge” during a radio address from Buckingham Palace in London. Continue reading King George VI urges subjects to ‘stand calm and firm’ against Nazi Germany 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 3 1939) →

British PM Chamberlain proclaims ‘this country is at war with Germany’ 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 3 1939)

1930s, World War II


Video: 'BBC News 39 - Sunday 3 September 1939 - (Part 7 of 14)'

(Sunday, September 3, 1939, 11:15 a.m. British Summer Time; during the Invasion of Poland, part of World War II) — Two days after Nazi Germany invaded Poland, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announced this morning that Great Britain and France were at war with Nazi Germany. Continue reading British PM Chamberlain proclaims ‘this country is at war with Germany’ 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 3 1939) →

Chamberlain: Hitler has not yet responded to Britain’s ultimatum 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 2 1939)

1930s, World War II


Video: 'BBC News 39 - Saturday 2 September 1939 - (Part 6 of 14)'

(Saturday, September 2, 1939, 7:44 p.m. British Summer Time; during the Invasion of Poland, part of World War II) — One day after Nazi Germany invaded Poland, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain informed the House of Commons tonight that no reply had yet been received from Germany regarding last night’s ultimatum which declared that unless the British government received “satisfactory assurances” that Germany was prepared to withdraw from Polish territory, “His Majesty’s Government will without hesitation fulfill their obligation to Poland.” Continue reading Chamberlain: Hitler has not yet responded to Britain’s ultimatum 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 2 1939) →

World War II begins as Nazi Germany invades Poland 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 1 1939)

1930s, World War II


Video: 'BBC News 39 - Friday 1 September 1939 - (Part 5 of 14)'

(Friday, September 1, 1939, 4:45 a.m. Central European Time; during the Invasion of Poland in the European theatre of World War II) — World War II, the deadliest conflict in human history, marked by 50 to 85 million fatalities, began this morning as Nazi Germany invaded Poland. Continue reading World War II begins as Nazi Germany invades Poland 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 1 1939) →

World’s worst human being born 130 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 20 1889)

1880s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Adolf Hitler - Dictator | Mini Bio | BIO'

(Saturday, April 20, 1889) — Adolf Hitler, the German dictator who initiated World War II in Europe, invaded 22 countries, relentlessly bombed Great Britain and was central to the perpetration of The Holocaust, was born today in Braunau am Inn, a town in Austria-Hungary (in present-day Austria), close to the border with the German Empire. Continue reading World’s worst human being born 130 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 20 1889) →

‘Saving Private Ryan’ premieres in Hollywood 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 21 1998)

1990s, movies 1990s, World War II


Video: 'Saving Private Ryan' trailer

(Tuesday, July 21, 1998, evening PDT) — Saving Private Ryan, an American epic war film about a special detachment of soldiers who fight through war-torn Europe to find a man whose brothers have all died in combat, premiered tonight at Mann Village Theatre in Westwood, California. Continue reading ‘Saving Private Ryan’ premieres in Hollywood 20 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 21 1998) →

Unknowns of World War II and Korea are enshrined 60 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 30 1958)

1950s, U.S. Presidents, World War II

(Decoration Day, Friday, May 30, 1958, 3:19 p.m. EDT) — Two unidentified American servicemen, one of World War II and one of the Korean war, were interred in the Tomb of the Unknowns today at Arlington National Cemetery, with President Dwight Eisenhower placing a Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest award, on each casket.

‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ premieres in London 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 2 1957)

1950s, Movies 1950s, World War II


Video: 'The Bridge on the River Kwai' trailer

(Wednesday, October 2, 1957) — The Bridge on the River Kwai, a British-American epic war film about World War II POWs forced by the Japanese Army to build a strategic bridge in Burma, premiered tonight in London. Continue reading ‘The Bridge on the River Kwai’ premieres in London 60 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 2 1957) →