Video: 'The History of the Medal of Freedom: Honoring America's Greatest'
(Friday, July 6, 1945; during World War II) — The Presidential Medal of Freedom, intended to honor civilians whose actions aided in the war efforts of the U.S. and its allies, was created by President Harry S. Truman today through an executive order.
Video: 'The World At War Episode 24 HD - The Bomb (February – September 1945)' (July 3, 1945, at 16:55)
(Tuesday, July 3, 1945, 11:00 a.m. EDT; during World War II) — Taking the oath of office within twenty-four hours after his nomination as Secretary of State, James F. Byrnes asserted today that there would be no change in basic foreign and peace policies charted by the late U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and no change in State Department personnel until after his return from the Big Three conference in Berlin later this month.
Video: 'Peter Jennings - Hiroshima: Why the Bomb was Dropped (1995)' (July 2, 1945, at 43:20)
(Monday, July 2, 1945, 11:00 a.m. EWT; during World War II) — U.S. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson made one last effort to convince President Harry S. Truman that the war might end if the Japanese were offered a chance to surrender with the Emperor left in place during a meeting today at the White House.
Video: 'The World at War: Reckoning: 1945... and After (25 of 26)' (July 1, 1945, at 11:17)
(Sunday, July 1, 1945; during World War II) — American forces turned Leipzig, Germany, occupied by the U.S. since April 19, 1945, over to the Red Army today as it pulled back from the line of contact with Soviet forces to the predesignated occupation zone boundaries.
Video: 'UN Charter signed in San Francisco Conference and US President Harry S. Truman ad...HD Stock Footage'
(Wednesday, June 26, 1945, 5:28 p.m. PDT; during World War II) — The United Nations Conference on International Organization (UNCIO) ended this afternoon with a plea by U.S. President Harry S. Truman to translate the lofty words of the new world Charter into worthy deeds ringing in the ears of the delegates from fifty nations who signed it today. Continue reading U.S. President Harry S. Truman closes UN Conference with plea to translate charter into deeds 80 years ago this hour (June 26 1945)
Video: 'The Lost Evidence Of WWII Episode 17 Okinawa' (June 21-22, 1945, at 41:12)
(Friday, June 22, 1945, 10:00 a.m. Japan Standard Time; during the Battle of Okinawa, part of the Pacific Theatre of World War II) — One of the most brutal and hard-fought campaigns of the Pacific war drew to a close today as American forces secured the island of Okinawa after nearly three months of combat. Continue reading Fierce Okinawa battle ends after 82 days of bloodshed 80 years ago this hour (June 22 1945)
Video: 'Eisenhower Honored In New York 220469-29.mp4'
(Tuesday, June 19, 1945, Eisenhower steps off his plane at La Guardia Field at 10:17 a.m. EDT; during World War II) — Millions of New Yorkers turned out today to cheer Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, who was honored with a parade.
Video: 'The World At War Episode 24 HD - The Bomb (February – September 1945)' (June 18, 1945, at 19:27)
(Monday, June 18, 1945, 3:30 p.m. EWT; during World War II) — President Harry S. Truman met with military representatives today to discuss how the war against Japan should proceed. Truman decided to have the Joint Chiefs of Staff go ahead with plans to invade Kyushu, the southernmost of Japan’s four major islands on Nov. 1, 1945. Continue reading U.S. President Harry S. Truman approves plan to invade Japan 80 years ago this hour (June 18 1945)
Video: '"America's Welcome To General Ike"
(Monday, June 18, 1945, Eisenhower’s plane landed at 11:11 a.m. EWT; during World War II) — Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower received a tumultuous welcome today in Washington D.C., where he addressed a joint session of Congress. Continue reading Million people cheer Eisenhower as he returns to Washington 80 years ago this hour (June 18 1945)
Video: 'Lord Haw-Haw Documentary (William Joyce) - Great Crimes - British, Traitor, Hanged.'
(Monday, June 18, 1945; during World War II) — William Joyce (known as “Lord Haw-Haw”), an American-born Irish-British Fascist politician, was charged today in London with high treason for his English-language wartime broadcasts on German radio.
