Category Archives: World War II

U.S. President Harry S. Truman approves plan to invade Japan 80 years ago this hour (June 18 1945)

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

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) →

Million people cheer Eisenhower as he returns to Washington 80 years ago this hour (June 18 1945)

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


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) →

‘Lord Haw-Haw’ Nazi propagandist charged with treason 80 years ago today (June 18 1945)

1940s, World War II


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.

Stimson briefs Truman on his ambivalence on dropping the atomic bomb on Japanese cities 80 years ago this hour (June 6 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Peter Jennings - Hiroshima: Why the Bomb was Dropped (1995)' (June 6, 1945, at 42:35)

(Wednesday, June 6, 1945, 10:15 a.m. EWT; during World War II) — U.S. Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson met with President Harry S. Truman at the White House today, describing his agony and confusion about the dropping the atomic bomb on Japanese cities.

Japanese Foreign Minister holds out possibility of cutting deal with Soviets 80 years ago today (June 4 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Hiroshima | Why The Bomb Was Dropped (ABC Documentary)' (June 4, 1945, 35:50)

(Monday, June 4, 1945; part of the Pacific War during World War II) — Japanese Foreign Minister Togo Shigenori cabled Japanese Ambassador Naotaki Sato in Moscow today that “it is a matter of utmost urgency that we should not only prevent Russia from entering the war but should also induce her to adopt a favorable attitude toward Japan. I would therefore like you to miss no favorable opportunity to talk to the Soviet leaders.”

Americans launch amphibious assault on Oroku Peninsula 80 years ago this hour (June 4 1945)

1940s, World War II

Video: 'The Lost Evidence Of WWII Episode 17 Okinawa' (June 4, 1945, at 38:59)

(Monday, June 4, 1945, 5:57 a.m. Japan Standard Time; during the Battle of Okinawa, part of the Pacific Theatre of World War II) — Elements of the 6th Marine Division launched an amphibious assault today on Oroku Peninsula.

Anne Frank’s father, Otto, returns to Amsterdam 80 years ago today (June 3 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Anne Frank (The Whole Story)' (June 3, 1945, at 2:47:31)

(Sunday, June 3, 1945; during World War II) — Otto Frank, a survivor of the Auschwitz concentration camp, returned to Amsterdam today, not knowing whether his daughters, Anne and Margot, are still alive. Continue reading Anne Frank’s father, Otto, returns to Amsterdam 80 years ago today (June 3 1945) →

U.S. leaders approve immediate, unannounced atomic bomb strike on Japan 80 years ago this hour (June 1 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: '' (May 31-June 1, 1945, at 8:28)

(Friday, June 1, 1945, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m./1:45 p.m.-3:30 p.m. EWT; during World War II) — The Interim Committee met again secretly today at the Pentagon, formally deciding that the atomic bomb “should be used against Japan as soon as possible; that it be used on a war plant surrounded by workers’ homes; and that it be used without prior warning.”


Video: 'Peter Jennings - Hiroshima: Why the Bomb was Dropped (1995)' (June 1, 1945, 41:05)

Member James F. Byrnes then went to the White House and briefed President Harry S. Truman of the decision (click here for a clip of this event from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:46:11).

Interim Committee considers ‘demonstration’ of atomic bomb 80 years ago this hour (May 31 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Peter Jennings - Hiroshima: Why the Bomb was Dropped (1995)' (May 31, 1945, 32:09/39:27)

(Thursday, May 31, 1945, 10:00 a.m.-1:15 p.m./2:15 p.m.-4:15 p.m. EWT; during World War II) — The Interim Committee, created by Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson at the urging of leaders of the Manhattan Project (a research and development project that produced the first atomic bombs), met secretly today at the Pentagon to consider the idea of giving the Japanese a non-combat demonstration of the new weapon of mass destruction.

First lady Bess Truman christens ambulance plane 80 years ago today (May 30 1945)

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


Video: 'Harry S. Truman — Bess Truman Christens an Ambulance Plane'

(Memorial Day, Wednesday, May 30, 1945; during World War II) — In her first public appearance as first lady, Bess Truman today tried to christen an ambulance plane at Washington’s National Airport with a unprepared bottle of champagne. Continue reading First lady Bess Truman christens ambulance plane 80 years ago today (May 30 1945) →