Category Archives: World War II

Oskar Schindler’s labor camp Brünnlitz liberated 80 years ago today (May 9 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Schindler's List (8/9) Movie CLIP - He Who Saves One Life Saves the World Entire (1993) HD'

(Wednesday, May 9, 1945; part of The Holocaust during World War II) — The labor camp Brünnlitz, a sub-camp of the Nazi concentration camp Gross-Rosen located in the village of Brnenec in the Czech Republic where 1,200 Jews worked in a munitions factory, was liberated today by Soviet troops about 11 hours after their protector Oskar Schindler escaped. Continue reading Oskar Schindler’s labor camp Brünnlitz liberated 80 years ago today (May 9 1945) →

Soviet forces liberate Czechoslovakia 80 years ago this hour (May 9 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Liberation Of Prague (1945)'

(Wednesday, May 9, 1945, 8:00 a.m. CEST; during the Prague Offensive on the Eastern Front of World War II) — With World War II in Europe at an end, Soviet forces liberated Czechoslovakia from Nazi occupation today. Continue reading Soviet forces liberate Czechoslovakia 80 years ago this hour (May 9 1945) →

Nazi concentration camp Theresienstadt liberated 80 years ago tonight (May 8 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Theresienstadt'

(Tuesday, May 8, 1945, evening; part of The Holocaust during World War II) — The Theresienstadt concentration camp, established in the fortress and garrison city of Terezín (German name Theresienstadt), located in what is now the Czech Republic, was liberated today by Soviet troops. Continue reading Nazi concentration camp Theresienstadt liberated 80 years ago tonight (May 8 1945) →

Churchill hails one victory, pledges crushing of Japan 80 years ago this hour (May 8 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'The Fruits Of Victory (1945)'

(Tuesday, May 8, 1945, 3:00 p.m. British Double Summer Time; on the Western Front of World War II) — British Prime Minister Churchill formally proclaimed the end of the war in Europe today, broadcasting to the world that the “evildoers *** are now prostrate before us.” But the jubilating people of Britain heard from the Prime Minister and… Continue reading Churchill hails one victory, pledges crushing of Japan 80 years ago this hour (May 8 1945) →

President Truman announces Germany’s surrender, declares Victory in Europe Day 80 years ago this hour (May 8 1945)

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


Video: '[VE Day 75] President Harry Truman's speech for Victory in Europe Day newsreel 8 May 1945'

(Tuesday, May 8, 1945, 9:00 a.m. EWT; on the Western Front of World War II) — U.S. President Harry S. Truman, on his 61st birthday, announced on radio this morning that Nazi Germany’s forces had surrendered, and that “the flags of freedom fly all over Europe” (click here for a clip of this day on “American Experience: Truman” at 1:41:50). Continue reading President Truman announces Germany’s surrender, declares Victory in Europe Day 80 years ago this hour (May 8 1945) →

Sétif and Guelma massacre begins in Algeria as French authorities clash with protesters 80 years ago this hour (May 8 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Algeria's first National Remembrance Day for the Setif Massacre'

(Tuesday, May 8, 1945, approximately 8:00 a.m. Western European Summer Time; part of the aftermath of World War II) — The Sétif and Guelma massacre began today in Algeria as French authorities clashed with protesters celebrating the surrender of Nazi Germany and calling for freedom from colonial rule; tens of thousands of Algerians are believed to have died in weeks of violence.

New York greets Nazi Germany’s surrender with cheers and caution as city awaits official V-E Day 80 years ago today (May 7 1945)

1940s, World War II

(Monday, May 7, 1945; during World War II) — New York City’s millions reacted in two sharply contrasting ways today to the news of the unconditional surrender of the German armies. Continue reading New York greets Nazi Germany’s surrender with cheers and caution as city awaits official V-E Day 80 years ago today (May 7 1945) →

Nazi Germany signs unconditional surrender, marking the end of World War II in Europe 80 years ago this hour (May 7 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Capitulation Allemande à Reims Rheims German Surrender'

(Monday, May 7, 1945, 2:41 a.m. Central European Summer Time; on the Western Front of World War II) — Germany signed an unconditional surrender at Allied headquarters in Rheims, France, today at a little red schoolhouse that is the headquarters of Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower, effective May 9, 1945, at 12:01 a.m. CEST/May 8, 1945, 6:01 p.m. Eastern War Time. Continue reading Nazi Germany signs unconditional surrender, marking the end of World War II in Europe 80 years ago this hour (May 7 1945) →

Nazi concentration camp Ebensee liberated 80 years ago today (May 6 1945)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Liberating Ebensee Concentration Camp | May 1945'

(Sunday, May 6, 1945; part of The Holocaust during World War II) — The Ebensee concentration camp, established to build tunnels for armaments storage near the town of Ebensee, Austria, as part of the Mauthausen network, was liberated today by American forces. Continue reading Nazi concentration camp Ebensee liberated 80 years ago today (May 6 1945) →

Japanese balloon bomb kills pregnant woman, five children in Oregon in only fatal WWII attack on U.S. mainland 80 years ago today (May 5 1945)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'The Balloon Bombs That Floated Across The Pacific'

(Saturday, May 5, 1945, approximately 10:30 a.m. PWT; part of the American Theater of World War II) — A pregnant woman and five children were killed today when a Japanese balloon bomb exploded in the remote woods of southern Oregon, marking what officials believe to be the only fatal attack on the U.S. mainland during World War II. Continue reading Japanese balloon bomb kills pregnant woman, five children in Oregon in only fatal WWII attack on U.S. mainland 80 years ago today (May 5 1945) →