Category Archives: World War II

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) →

‘Butcher of Lyon’ Klaus Barbie found guilty 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 3 1987)

1980s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'July 3, 1987: Butcher of Lyon'

(Friday, July 3, 1987) — Klaus Barbie, the 73-year-old former Gestapo chief known as the “Butcher of Lyon,” was convicted early today by a French court of crimes against humanity and sentenced to life in prison. Continue reading ‘Butcher of Lyon’ Klaus Barbie found guilty 30 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 3 1987) →

Exhausted FDR arrives in Warm Springs for rest, recuperation 70 years ago today (Mar 30 1945)

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


Video: 'American Experience - FDR (Franklin Roosevelt) - Part 1/2 (PBS Documentary' (Mar. 30, 1945, at 2:08:24)

(Good Friday, March 30, 1945; during World War II) — U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt arrived in Warm Springs, Georgia, today suffering from exhaustion.

The great push to end the war was on, and Roosevelt needed to recuperate to lead it and take part in the momentous events afterward. Total rest was his doctor’s recommendation, and for several days he followed the instructions.

Soviets invade Austria 70 years ago today (Mar 30 1945)

1940s, World War II

(Good Friday, March 30, 1945; on the Eastern Front of World War II) — The Red Army today surged across the Austrian frontier north of the Hungarian border town of Koeszeg, 52 miles south of Vienna, to make Austria, the last nation still dominated by Hitlerite Germany, a battleground.

Eisenhower declares German army ‘whipped’ 70 years ago today (Mar 27 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Generals Eisenhower, Bradley, Patton, Tour Rhine Bridgehead, Remagen Area, Germany, March 26, 1945'

(Tuesday, March 27, 1945; on the Western Front of World War II) — The German Army’s “main defensive line has been broken” and the Germans “as a military force on the Western Front are a whipped army,” Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower declared today.