Category Archives: World War II

War crimes court at Nuremberg sees horror films 70 years ago today (Nov 29 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Nuremberg Day 8 Concentration Camp Film'

(Thursday, November 29, 1945; during the Nuremberg trials) — Tearing away the sanctimonious mask behind which the German leaders had cloaked their evil acts and intentions, the American prosecution presented today before the International Military Tribunal a one-hour nightmare in motion pictures depicting the fear and terror and the nameless horror of the concentration camps that, the prosecution charges, were an integral part of their hold on the German people.

Nazi war criminals enter ‘not guilty’ pleas at Nuremberg 70 years ago today (Nov 21 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Nuremberg Day 2 Defendants Plead (translated captions)'

(Wednesday, November 21, 1945; during the Nuremberg trials) — One day after the trial of the major Nazi war criminals by the International Military Tribunal began in Nuremberg, Germany, the defendants entered their pleas of “not guilty.”

Hermann Göring tried to make a statement, but was prevented by the court from doing so. Continue reading Nazi war criminals enter ‘not guilty’ pleas at Nuremberg 70 years ago today (Nov 21 1945) →

Nazi war criminals go on trial at Nuremberg 70 years ago this hour (Nov 20 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Nuremberg Day 1 Indictments'

(Tuesday, November 20, 1945, 10:00 a.m. CET; during the Nuremberg trials) — 22 former Nazi officials, the most important political and military leaders of the Third Reich, went on trial today before an international war crimes tribunal in Nuremberg, Germany.

Not included were Adolf Hitler, Heinrich Himmler and Joseph Goebbels, all of whom had committed suicide in the spring of 1945.

Former Vichy French Premier Pierre Laval executed 70 years ago this afternoon (Oct 15 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Former Prime Minister of France, Pierre Laval, is executed for treason, Paris, Fr...HD Stock Footage'

(Monday, October 15, 1945, early afternoon CET; during World War II) — The former premier of Vichy France Pierre Laval was shot today (after a thwarted suicide attempt) in Fresnes (in the southern suburbs of Paris) by a firing squad for treason.

Woman branded ‘Tokyo Rose’ arrested in Yokohama 70 years ago today (Sep 5 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: '1976 CBS NEWS SPECIAL REPORT: Iva Toguri D'Aquino(A.K.A) TOKYO ROSE'

(Wednesday, September 5, 1945) — Japanese-American Iva Toguri D’Aquino, suspected of being wartime broadcaster “Tokyo Rose,” was arrested today in Yokohama.

D’Aquino was later convicted of treason and served six years in prison; she was pardoned in 1977 by President Gerald R. Ford.

Japan formally surrenders aboard USS Missouri, ending World War II 70 years ago this hour (Sep 2 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Japanese Sign Final Surrender'

(Sunday, September 2, 1945, 9:03-9:07 a.m. JST; during World War II) — Japan surrendered formally and unconditionally to the Allies today in a twenty-minute ceremony aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay which ended just as the sun burst through low-hanging clouds as a shining symbol to a ravaged world now done with war. Continue reading Japan formally surrenders aboard USS Missouri, ending World War II 70 years ago this hour (Sep 2 1945) →

FDR signs Neutrality Act of 1935 80 years ago today (Aug 31 1935)

1930s, World War II


Video: 'Senator Nye announces the Neutrality Act of 1935 in an interview in Washington DC...HD Stock Footage'

(Saturday, August 31, 1935, afternoon EDT) — The neutrality resolution providing for an embargo on shipments of arms to countries at war, and laying down other rules of conduct designed to assure the maintenance of a strictly neutral position by the United States, was signed today by President Franklin D. Roosevelt today.

MacArthur arrives in Japan to set up Allied occupation headquarters 70 years ago this hour (Aug 30 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Allied Forces Land In Japan (1945)' (Aug. 30, 1945, at 7:34)

(Thursday, August 30, 1945, 2:00 p.m. JST; during World War II) — American Gen. Douglas MacArthur landed today at Atsugi Air Force Base in Japan to set up Allied occupation headquarters. Continue reading MacArthur arrives in Japan to set up Allied occupation headquarters 70 years ago this hour (Aug 30 1945) →