Category Archives: World War II

Atomic Age begins! U.S. explodes first experimental atomic bomb in New Mexico 80 years ago this hour (July 16 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Explosion and smoke cloud of the first Atomic Bomb detonation rising at Alamogord...HD Stock Footage'

(Sunday, July 16, 1945, 5:29:45 a.m. Mountain War Time; during World War II) — The Atomic Age began this morning when the United States successfully detonated a plutonium-based test nuclear weapon at the Trinity bomb site near Alamogordo, New Mexico, unleashing an explosion equivalent to that of 19 kilotons of TNT (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:55:04). Continue reading Atomic Age begins! U.S. explodes first experimental atomic bomb in New Mexico 80 years ago this hour (July 16 1945) →

British PM Winston Churchill calls on U.S. President Harry S. Truman in Babelsberg 80 years ago this hour (July 16 1945)

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


Video: 'MP76-35 reel 1 - NEW FILM TRANSFER - President Truman’s Trip to the Berlin Conference' (Truman and Churchill at 19:24)

(Monday, July 16, 1945, 11:00 a.m. CEST; one day before the Potsdam Conference during World War II) — Prime Minister Winston Churchill called on U.S. President Harry S. Truman this morning at U.S. headquarters at Babelsberg, Germany, ahead of the Potsdam Conference with Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin (whose late arrival delayed the conference to July 17, 1945). (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:53:14).

President Truman arrives in Antwerp, Belgium for Potsdam Conference 80 years ago this hour (July 15 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'President Harry Truman of United States arrives in Antwerp and moves to Brussels'...HD Stock Footage'

(Sunday, July 15, 1945, Truman stepped down the gangway of Augusta at 11:10 a.m. Central European Summer Time; during World War II) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman arrived in Antwerp, Belgium, this morning aboard the USS Augusta, bound for Antwerp, Belgium, for the Potsdam Conference with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin on July 17, 1945, in Potsdam, occupied Germany. Continue reading President Truman arrives in Antwerp, Belgium for Potsdam Conference 80 years ago this hour (July 15 1945) →

U.S. President Harry S. Truman sets sail for Potsdam Conference 80 years ago this hour (July 7 1945)

1940s, World War II

Video: 'MP72-36, reel 1 - Film Log of Harry S. Truman’s Historical Trip to Berlin, July 1945 - Reel 1 of 2'

(Saturday, July 7, 1945, 7:00 a.m. EWT; during World War II) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman departed Newport News, Virginia, this morning aboard the USS Augusta, bound for Antwerp, Belgium, for the Potsdam Conference with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin beginning July 17, 1945, in Potsdam, occupied Germany (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:52:51). Continue reading U.S. President Harry S. Truman sets sail for Potsdam Conference 80 years ago this hour (July 7 1945) →

U.S. President Harry S. Truman establishes Medal of Freedom 80 years ago today (July 6 1945)

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


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.

Byrnes promises no policy change as he becomes Truman’s Secretary of State 80 years ago this hour (July 3 1945)

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

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.

Stimson tells Truman war might end if Japanese were offered a chance to surrender 80 years ago this hour (July 2 1945)

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


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.

American forces withdraw from Leipzig, Germany 80 years ago today (July 1 1945)

1940s, World War II

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.

U.S. President Harry S. Truman closes UN Conference with plea to translate charter into deeds 80 years ago this hour (June 26 1945)

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


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) →