Sarah Sundin's Blog

Frank, Frick, Funk, Jodl, Rosenberg, Seyß-Inquart, Speer, Streicher, Neurath, and Papen at the Nuremberg Trial, Germany, 27 Nov 1945 (Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum: 2004-439)

85 Years Ago—Nov. 29, 1940: In riots in Romania, fascist Iron Guard kills Jews, liberals, and political rivals.

Movie premiere of musical Tin Pan Alley, starring Alice Faye & Betty Grable.

80 Years Ago—Nov. 29, 1945: Films of concentration camp atrocities are shown at the Nuremberg Trials.

Federal People’s Republic of Yugoslavia is proclaimed, with Marshal Tito as president, deposing King Peter II, who had not been allowed to return to the country; he goes into exile in the US.

US War Department demobilizes enlisted men with three or more children under the age of eighteen.

Japanese-Americans awaiting their release from the Poston War Relocation Center, AZ, Sep 1945 (US National Archives: 539870)

85 Years Ago—Nov. 28, 1940: Antisemitic film Der Ewige Jude (The Eternal Jew) is released in Germany.

Luftwaffe bombers fly first major raid to Liverpool, England.

80 Years Ago—Nov. 28, 1945: Relocation center for Japanese-Americans at Poston, AZ, closes.

Bombs falling astern of HMS Ark Royal during attack by Italian aircraft during the Battle of Cape Spartivento, 27 Nov 1940; photograph taken from cruiser HMS Sheffield (Imperial War Museum: 4700-01 A 2298)

85 Years Ago—Nov. 27, 1940: Battle of Cape Spartivento: Italian navy engages a British convoy bound for Malta, inflicting minor damage.

In Romania, Fascist Iron Guard executes 64 former officials, including former prime ministers Nicolae Iorga and Gheorghe Argeșanu; riots break out.

80 Years Ago—Nov. 27, 1945: British begin Operation Deadlight, the sinking of 116 captured German U-boats off the Hebrides, continuing through 7 Jan 1946.

The United Nations Charter is now ratified by twenty-nine nations.

Gen. Douglas MacArthur and Emperor Hirohito at the US Embassy in Tokyo, Sept. 27, 1945 (US Army photo)

85 Years Ago—Nov. 26, 1940: Luftwaffe bomb narrowly misses the underground Cabinet War Rooms in London.

Britain announces that after Christmas, bananas will no longer be imported.

Adm. Ernest King, Secretary of the Navy James V. Forrestal, and Adm. Chester Nimitz at the Navy Department, Washington DC, 21 Nov 1945 (US National Archives: 80-G-701553)

80 Years Ago—Nov. 26, 1945: Gen. Douglas MacArthur confirms that Emperor Hirohito of Japan will not be required to abdicate.

Adm. Chester Nimitz is appointed to replace Adm. Ernest King, who is about to retire as US Chief of Naval Operations.

TWA Lockheed Constellation sets west-to-east transatlantic commercial record, flying 2,000 miles in 6 hours, 45 minutes.

US Army poster for the Martin B-26 Marauder medium bomber, WWII

85 Years Ago—Nov. 25, 1940: Zionist agents place bombs on British liner Patria at Haifa, intending to damage the ship and prevent removal of Eastern European Jewish refugees from Palestine to Mauritius—but the ship sinks, killing 213/1771 of the refugees and 50/130 of the crew.

First flights of RAF De Havilland Mosquito bomber and of US Martin B-26 Marauder medium bomber.

Cartoon character Woody Woodpecker debuts with release of Walter Lantz’s “Knock Knock.”

80 Years Ago—Nov. 25, 1945: In elections in Austria, a coalition of Christian Democrats and Social Democrats receives 90% of the vote.

Time Magazine cover featuring Sir James Craig, Lord Craigavon, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland, 26 May 1924 (public domain via Wikipedia)

85 Years Ago—Nov. 24, 1940: Slovakia signs Tripartite Pact, joining Axis powers.

Lord Craigavon, James Craig, Prime Minister of Northern Ireland since 1921, dies, age 69.

80 Years Ago—Nov. 24, 1945: New song in US Top Ten: “It Might as Well Be Spring.”

Under order of the US Secretary of War, all cyclotrons in Japan are destroyed.

US poster about food rationing, 1943 (US Office of Price Administration)

85 Years Ago—Nov. 23, 1940: Romania signs Tripartite Pact, joining Axis Powers.

In convoy SC-11 off Ireland, German submarine U-100 sinks seven Allied cargo ships.

Adm. William Leahy is appointed US ambassador to Vichy France, replacing William Bullitt.

80 Years Ago—Nov. 23, 1945: US ends rationing of meat and butter. (Read more: Meat and Cheese Rationing in World War II and Rationing of Butter, Fats & Oils in World War II)

Bette Davis & John Garfield, founders of the Hollywood Canteen, 1942 (public domain via Wikipedia)

85 Years Ago—Nov. 22, 1940: Luftwaffe’s heaviest raid on Birmingham, England—the 11-hour raid causes 600 fires.

In Delft, the Netherlands, 500 students demonstrate against the Nazis after Jewish professors are dismissed.

80 Years Ago—Nov. 22, 1945: Thanksgiving is celebrated in America; Macy’s parade resumes after being cancelled from 1942-44. [Read more: Thanksgiving in World War II]

Hollywood Canteen closes after having entertained 4 million servicemen; the 3000 volunteers included many movie stars.

US War Relocation Authority Center at Manzanar, CA, 3 July 1942 (Photographer: Dorothea Lange; US National Archives: 538128)

85 Years Ago—Nov. 21, 1940: US government announces that Nazi agents are active in eight American cities to conduct sabotage and espionage, spread propaganda, and foment strife.

Thanksgiving is celebrated in America, on the third Thursday in November as per Roosevelt’s 1939 decree, but 16 states celebrate on traditional fourth Thursday, November 28.[Read more: Thanksgiving in World War II]

Lt. Gen. Alexander Patch, Jr., commander of the U.S. Seventh Army in southern France, and his son, Capt. Alexander “Mac” Patch III, shortly before the young officer’s death in October 1944 (US Military Academy)

80 Years Ago—Nov. 21, 1945: In Nuremberg trials, all Nazi defendants plead innocent.

Manzanar Relocation Center for Japanese-Americans closes.

Lt. Gen. Alexander Patch dies of pneumonia at Fort Sam Houston, TX, age 55.

Premiere of French women’s magazine Elle.

Accused German war criminals in the dock, Nürnberg, Germany, 22 Nov 1945 (US Army Signal Corps)

85 Years Ago—Nov. 20, 1940: Hungary signs Tripartite Pact, joining Axis Powers.

Author Ernest Hemingway marries reporter Martha Gellhorn in Cheyenne, WY.

80 Years Ago—Nov. 20, 1945: Nuremberg trials begin for German war criminals; when they end on Oct. 1, 1946, twelve men will be sentenced to death, seven will receive prison sentences, and three will be acquitted.