Nov 20,1942 - Present
THE 46TH PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
1944 US flying ace Major Greg "Pappy" Boyington shot down by Captain Masajiro Kawato in WWII.
1944 Operation Carpetbagger begins, involving arms and supplies drops to European resistance fighters in WWII.
1944 The Daily Mail became the first major London newspaper published on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.
1944 The launch of the first assault on Monte Cassino during World War II initiated a prolonged campaign that would result in significant casualties on both sides.
1944 The Allies initiated Operation Shingle, launching an assault on Anzio and Nettuno, Italy, as part of their efforts to liberate the Italian peninsula from Axis control during World War II.
1944 A tragic chapter unfolds as Soviet partisan units attack the Polish village of Koniuchy, resulting in the loss of numerous lives.
1944 Bologna, Italy, bears the brunt of an air raid, resulting in the complete destruction of the historic Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio.
1944 The Battle of Cisterna, commencing in central Italy as part of Operation Shingle during World War II in 1944, became a pivotal moment in the Allied campaign.
1944 American forces made significant progress in the Pacific theater of World War II on January 31, 1944, with the successful landing on Kwajalein Atoll and other Japanese-held islands in the Marshall Islands.
1944 The Battle of Cisterna, Italy, on January 31, 1944, witnessed the 1st Ranger Battalion (Darby's Rangers) facing overwhelming odds behind enemy lines during the Anzio campaign in World War II.
1944 World War II: During the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign, U.S. Army and Marine forces seized Kwajalein Atoll from the defending Japanese garrison.
1944 On February 7, 1944, during World War II, Anzio, Italy, became the stage for a pivotal event. German forces launched a formidable counteroffensive in response to the Allied Operation Shingle. This battle marked a critical juncture in the Italian campaign and the broader European theater of the war.
1944 A Royal Navy submarine sinks a German-controlled Italian Regia Marina submarine in the Strait of Malacca during World War II, highlighting the naval warfare of the era.
1944 The Monte Cassino assault in Italy sets the stage for a fierce battle during World War II.
1944 The Narva Offensive's commencement reshapes the Eastern Front, with far-reaching consequences.
1944 World War II enters a critical phase as the Battle of Eniwetok commences, ultimately resulting in an American victory on February 22, shaping the Pacific theater of the war.
1944 Operation Hailstone launches, with U.S. naval, air, and submarine forces initiating a fierce assault on Truk Lagoon, Japan's strategic central Pacific base, in support of the Eniwetok invasion.
1944 "The Big Week" commences with American bomber raids targeting German aircraft manufacturing centers during World War II. This strategic campaign plays a vital role in the war effort.
1944 The United States takes control of Eniwetok Atoll, a significant strategic move during World War II in the Pacific theater. This action advances the Allies' position in the region.
1944 A tragic wartime error unfolded during World War II when American aircraft mistakenly bombed Dutch towns, resulting in significant casualties and destruction.
1944 The Eastern Front of World War II witnessed a crucial turning point as the Soviet Red Army successfully recaptured Kryvyi Rih, altering the course of the conflict.
1944 The Soviet Union begins the forced deportation of the Chechen and Ingush people from the North Caucasus to Central Asia.
1944 The Admiralty Islands are invaded in Operation Brewer, led by American general Douglas MacArthur, in World War II.
1944 The Soviet Union bestows honor on its naval heroes as it institutes the Order of Nakhimov and Order of Ushakov, recognizing their exceptional valor on the high seas.
1944 In the dark depths of an Italian tunnel, tragedy strikes as a freight train, carrying stowaway passengers, succumbs to carbon monoxide poisoning, resulting in a devastating loss of 517 lives.
1944 After the success of Big Week, the United States Army Air Forces launch a relentless daylight bombing campaign on Berlin during World War II.
1944 The Red Army launches the Uman Offensive during World War II, a pivotal campaign on the Eastern Front that would have far-reaching implications for the outcome of the war.
1944 Soviet Army planes launched an attack on Tallinn, Estonia, during World War II, leaving an indelible mark on the region's history.
1944 In the midst of the Greek Civil War, the Political Committee of National Liberation emerged, shaping Greece's future.
1944 Mount Vesuvius, the iconic Italian volcano, erupts with fury, claiming the lives of 26 individuals, triggering mass evacuations, and leaving a trail of destruction, including the loss of several Allied bombers during World War II.
1944 World War II took a significant turn as German forces occupied Hungary, impacting the Eastern Front of the war.
1944 During World War II, Allied bombers launched their most devastating bombing run on Sofia, Bulgaria, causing widespread destruction and shaping the course of the war.
1944 A tragic chapter unfolded during World War II when 95 bombers out of 795 Lancasters, Halifaxes, and Mosquitos did not return from the Nuremberg raid, representing the largest RAF Bomber Command loss of the war.
1944 World War II takes an unexpected turn as navigation errors result in an accidental American bombing of the Swiss city of Schaffhausen.
1944 The Anglo-American forces launched a devastating bombardment of oil refineries in Bucharest during World War II, resulting in the tragic loss of 3,000 civilian lives and leaving the city in ruins.
1944 New Zealand's diplomatic ties with the Soviet Union were forged in 1944, creating a bridge between the distant nations during World War II.
1944 World War II witnessed the Allied forces' bombing of Belgrade, resulting in the tragic loss of approximately 1,100 lives. This event occurred during Orthodox Christian Easter, adding a poignant layer of historical significance.
1944 Forces of the Communist-controlled Greek People's Liberation Army launched a fierce assault on the smaller National and Social Liberation resistance group, ultimately leading to its surrender and the tragic murder of its leader, Dimitrios Psarros.
1944 History was made on April 22, 1944, when the 1st Air Commando Group deployed Sikorsky R-4 helicopters for combat search and rescue operations in the China Burma India Theater, marking a milestone in military aviation.
1944 As World War II raged on, Operation Persecution commenced on this day in 1944, with Allied forces landing in the Hollandia area of New Guinea, a pivotal step in the Pacific theater of the war.
1944 In the remote Arctic regions, an audacious Allied operation unfolded as the Allied Sledge Patrol launched an attack on the German Bassgeiger weather station, a little-known chapter of World War II.
1944 Amid the chaos of World War II, the Special Boat Service (SBS) launches a daring raid against the garrison of Santorini in Greece, showcasing their audacious prowess in covert operations.
1944 The incorporation of the United Negro College Fund was a significant step towards advancing education and opportunities for African Americans in the United States.
1944 In the midst of World War II, Georgios Papandreou assumed leadership of the Greek government-in-exile based in Egypt, contributing to the nation's resilience during a tumultuous period.
1944 Allied commandos achieved a remarkable feat in 1944 as they captured Heinrich Kreipe in occupied Crete. This daring operation deep behind enemy lines exemplified courage and resourcefulness.
1944 Exercise Tiger turns tragic as German E-boats attack US and UK units, resulting in the loss of 946 lives during a rehearsal for the Normandy landings.
1944 Daring SOE agent Nancy Wake returned to France during World War II, assuming a pivotal role as a liaison between London and the resolute local maquis group.
1944 The ravages of war descend upon Berlin as the Börse Berlin building is engulfed in flames during a relentless air raid, marking a somber moment in the annals of World War II history.
1944 World War II history was made in 1944 when a hunter-killer group of the United States Navy captured the German Kriegsmarine submarine U-505, marking the first such capture at sea by the U.S. Navy since the 19th century.
1944 The year 1944 witnessed a momentous occasion as the United States Fifth Army successfully captured Rome during World War II. While Rome fell, much of the German Fourteenth Army managed to withdraw northward.
1944 A colossal aerial campaign unfolded as over 1,000 British bombers dropped 5,000 tons of bombs on German gun batteries along the Normandy coast, paving the way for the D-Day landings.
1944 June 6, 1944, witnessed the commencement of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy, often referred to as D-Day. This monumental seaborne invasion involved nearly 160,000 Allied troops and marked a pivotal moment in World War II.
1944 Tragedy strikes as the steamer Danae, carrying 350 Cretan Jews and 250 Cretan partisans, sinks off the shore of Santorini, claiming all aboard.
1944 The Battle of Normandy witnesses a dark episode as members of the SS Division Hitlerjugend massacre 23 Canadian prisoners of war at Ardenne Abbey during World War II.
1944 In a grim reprisal, German troops hang ninety-nine civilians from lampposts and balconies in Tulle, France, following maquisard attacks during World War II.
1944 World War II takes a new turn as the Soviet Union launches an invasion of East Karelia and reclaims previously Finnish territories occupied since 1941.
1944 The small French town of Oradour-sur-Glane became the site of a heartbreaking massacre, claiming the lives of 642 men, women, and children during World War II.
1944 Distomo, Boeotia, Greece, witnessed a devastating event in which 218 innocent men, women, and children were tragically killed by German troops during World War II.
1944 In a remarkable feat, 15-year-old Joe Nuxhall made history by becoming the youngest player ever in a major league baseball game while playing for the Cincinnati Reds.
1944 The USS Missouri, a symbol of American naval might and the last battleship constructed by the United States Navy, is officially commissioned. This formidable warship will later become the historic site where the Japanese Instrument of Surrender is signed, marking the end of World War II.
1944 In 1944, during World War II's Operation Overlord, American paratroopers from the 101st Airborne Division secured the town of Carentan in Normandy, France, playing a pivotal role in the Allied liberation of Europe.
1944 German tank ace Michael Wittmann's audacious ambush of British forces during the Battle of Villers-Bocage results in the destruction of numerous tanks and personnel carriers.
1944 German forces, reinforced by the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division, launch a fierce counterattack against American troops near Carentan during World War II.
1944 Germany initiates its first V1 Flying Bomb attack on England during World War II, with a limited number of bombs finding their intended targets.
1944 Operation Perch Abandoned: After several failed attempts, the British Army abandoned Operation Perch, their plan to capture the German-occupied town of Caen during World War II.
1944 The United States embarks on a significant military campaign, invading Saipan, the capital of Japan's South Seas Mandate, in the Pacific theater of World War II.
1944 Tommy Douglas and the CCF secure victory in the Saskatchewan general election, establishing North America's first socialist government in a historic political shift.
1944 In a tragic miscarriage of justice, George Junius Stinney Jr., at the age of 14, becomes the youngest person executed in the 20th century in the United States, an event that raises profound questions about the American legal system.
1944 In 1944, Iceland declared independence from Denmark and established itself as a republic, shaping its modern political identity.
1944 The Battle of the Philippine Sea concludes in 1944 with a resounding U.S. naval victory, known as the "Great Marianas Turkey Shoot," a turning point in the Pacific theater of World War II.
1944 The Soviet Union's demand for an unconditional surrender from Finland in 1944, during the Vyborg offensive, marks a critical juncture in the Continuation War.
1944 The experimental MW 18014 V-2 rocket's journey to an altitude of 176 km in 1944 signifies the first man-made object to reach outer space, a milestone in human space exploration.
1944 The Soviet Union initiated Operation Bagration, a monumental offensive against Army Group Centre, reshaping the Eastern Front in World War II and leading to pivotal events in the conflict's culmination.
1944 U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, affectionately known as the G.I. Bill, a transformative piece of legislation that would greatly impact the lives of veterans returning from World War II.
1944 The Battle of Tali-Ihantala, an epic clash, unfolded as the largest battle ever witnessed in the Nordic countries during the tumultuous era of World War II.
1944 United States Navy and British Royal Navy ships joined forces to bombard Cherbourg, providing crucial support to American Army units entrenched in the Battle of Cherbourg.
1944 A poignant moment in the world of comics, the final page of the beloved Krazy Kat was published, precisely two months after the untimely demise of its creator, George Herriman.
1944 Tragedy strikes as San Marino, a neutral state, is mistakenly bombed by the RAF based on faulty information, resulting in civilian deaths and highlighting the challenges of wartime intelligence.
1944 The Battle of Osuchy in Osuchy, Poland, signifies one of the largest battles between Nazi Germany and Polish resistance forces, concluding with the defeat of the latter, shaping the resistance movement's history.
1944 British Chindits, supported by Chinese forces, achieved a historic victory on June 27, 1944, by liberating Mogaung, making it the first place in Burma to be freed from Japanese occupation during World War II.
1944 World War II reached a critical juncture in 1944 as the Battle of Cherbourg concluded, with American forces securing the strategically vital port of Cherbourg, a pivotal moment in the Allied campaign.
1944 The Minsk Offensive in 1944 marked a pivotal moment in World War II as it cleared German troops from the city, contributing to the Allied advance and the eventual victory over Nazi forces.
1944 Jackie Robinson's refusal to yield his bus seat was a courageous act that foreshadowed his pioneering role in breaking racial barriers in American sports.
1944 The Hartford circus fire, a catastrophic event, claimed numerous lives and forever shaped safety protocols for public gatherings in the United States.
1944 In the Pacific Theater of World War II, the Battle of Saipan witnesses the largest Banzai charge, underscoring the fierce combat of the era.
1944 World War II takes a critical turn as American forces achieve a strategic victory by capturing Saipan, bringing the Japanese archipelago within range of B-29 raids and hastening the collapse of the Tojo government.
1944 The Continuation War witnesses Finland securing a significant win in the Battle of Tali as the conflict rages on.
1944 A devastating tragedy unfolds near the San Francisco Bay as the Port Chicago disaster sees two ships laden with ammunition explode, claiming the lives of 320 individuals.
1944 During World War II, Field Marshal Erwin Rommel is gravely injured by allied aircraft while returning to his headquarters, marking a significant moment in the conflict.
1944 Hideki Tōjō's resignation as Prime Minister of Japan in 1944, due to setbacks in the war effort, had far-reaching consequences during World War II.
1944 World War II witnessed a dramatic event on July 20, 1944, when Adolf Hitler survived an assassination attempt led by German Army Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, altering the course of history.
1944 American troops make their dramatic landing on Guam, igniting a fierce battle that would rage on until August 10, marking a significant chapter in the Pacific theater of World War II.
1944 The fallout from the July 20 plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler continues as Claus von Stauffenberg and his fellow conspirators face execution, underscoring the complexities of resistance during World War II.
1944 The Polish Committee of National Liberation publishes its manifesto, marking the beginning of Communist rule in Poland after World War II.
1944 Operation Spring in 1944 was one of the bloodiest days for the First Canadian Army during World War II, highlighting the sacrifices made in the pursuit of victory.
1944 The Red Army enters Lviv, a major city in western Ukraine, capturing it from the Nazis during World War II. Only 300 Jews survive out of the 160,000 living in Lviv prior to the occupation.
1944 The Warsaw Uprising erupted against the Nazi German occupation in Warsaw, Poland, marking a courageous act of resistance and a pivotal moment in the city's history during World War II.
1944 The birth of the Socialist Republic of Macedonia during ASNOM was celebrated as the Day of the Republic, marking a significant milestone in the history of North Macedonia.
1944 World War II saw the successful arrival of the largest trade convoy of the world wars in the Western Approaches, a critical moment in the Allied war effort.
1944 In a harrowing moment during the Holocaust, Anne Frank, her family, and others are discovered and arrested by the Gestapo in a concealed area of an Amsterdam warehouse, marking a tragic episode in history.
1944 In an unusual turn of events, the Finnish Parliament elects Marshal C. G. E. Mannerheim as President of Finland, succeeding Risto Ryti, who had resigned from the position, leading to changes in leadership.
1944 Japanese POWs' daring escape attempt at Cowra, Australia, becomes a tragic episode in the history of World War II.
1944 The Nazi massacre of civilians and prisoners of war in Wola, Poland, during World War II stands as a somber reminder of the atrocities of that era.
1944 Following the Warsaw Uprising, able-bodied men in Kraków were detained to prevent a similar uprising, the Kraków Uprising, marking a period of suppression and turmoil during World War II.
1944 IBM's groundbreaking Automatic Sequence Controlled Calculator, known as the Harvard Mark I, was dedicated, marking a significant milestone in the history of computing.
1944 In a conservation milestone, the United States Forest Service and the Wartime Advertising Council introduce iconic posters featuring Smokey Bear for the first time.
1944 Continuation War witnesses events in Vyborg.
1944 The Battle of Guam effectively concluded in 1944 AD during World War II, with the United States achieving a pivotal victory in the Pacific theater.
1944 World War II history was written in 1944 AD with the Battle of Narva's defensive German victory, leaving a lasting impact on the Eastern Front.
1944 A tragic event unfolds as Waffen-SS troops mercilessly massacre 560 people in Sant'Anna di Stazzema, leaving a dark stain on World War II history.
1944 The week-long Wola massacre perpetrated by Nazi German troops concludes, resulting in the indiscriminate killing of at least 40,000 people during World War II.
1944 A significant moment in French liberation occurs as General Philippe Leclerc de Hauteclocque liberates Alençon, making it the first French city to be freed from Nazi occupation by French forces.
1944 During World War II in 1944, German troops initiated the pillaging and destruction of Anogeia in Crete, a campaign of devastation that would persist until September 5.
1944 Operation Dragoon unfolded in 1944 AD when Allied forces landed in southern France, marking a critical phase of the liberation of Western Europe during World War II, and contributing to the downfall of Nazi Germany.
1944 A historic milestone in aviation is achieved with the maiden flight of the Junkers Ju 287, the first jet aircraft featuring forward-swept wings, showcasing cutting-edge aeronautical innovation.
1944 The Liberation of Paris commences with resolute Parisians rising against the German occupation, aided by the valiant efforts of Allied troops, marking a jubilant turning point in the city's history.
1944 World War II witnessed a harrowing event when 168 captured Allied airmen, including Phil Lamason, accused by the Gestapo of being "terror fliers," arrived at Buchenwald concentration camp. This chapter in history reflects the challenges faced by prisoners of war during the conflict.
1944 The Battle of Romania began on this date during World War II, marking a major Soviet Union offensive against Axis forces in Eastern Europe.
1944 The Dumbarton Oaks Conference, a prelude to the United Nations, initiated discussions and negotiations that paved the way for the establishment of this global organization.
1944 The capture of the strategically important town of Falaise, France, by Canadian and Polish units marked a crucial moment in the liberation of Europe during World War II.
1944 The Holocaust of Kedros in Crete by German forces serves as a somber reminder of the atrocities committed during World War II.
1944 The city of Marseille was liberated by Allied forces on August 23, 1944, during World War II. This victory was a crucial step in the liberation of France from German occupation.
1944 In a historic moment during World War II, King Michael of Romania dismissed the pro-Nazi government of Marshal Antonescu on August 23, 1944. Romania's decision to switch sides from the Axis to the Allies had far-reaching consequences for the region and the war.
1944 The Freckleton air disaster unfolded on August 23, 1944, when a United States Army Air Forces B-24 Liberator bomber crashed into a school in Freckleton, England, tragically claiming the lives of 61 people.
1944 Allied forces launch the historic attack on Paris during World War II, marking the beginning of the city's liberation from German occupation.
1944 The liberation of Paris by Allied forces in World War II marks a momentous event in the city's history and the defeat of Nazi occupation.
1944 Charles de Gaulle's triumphant entry into Paris marks a turning point in World War II, symbolizing liberation and hope.
1944 World War II witnesses the liberation of the French cities of Marseille and Toulon, marking a significant milestone in the Allies' progress against Nazi occupation.
1944 The Slovak National Uprising unfolds as 60,000 Slovak troops turn against the Nazis, demonstrating their resistance to occupation.
1944 Finland witnessed the last execution of a Finn when soldier Olavi Laiho faced a firing squad in Oulu, marking a somber event in Finnish history.
1944 : Holocaust diarist Anne Frank and her family were placed on the last transport train from the Westerbork transit camp to the Auschwitz concentration camp, beginning a tragic journey that would haunt the world's conscience.
1944 Belgium's Antwerp breathes free as the British 11th Armoured Division liberates the city from the shackles of World War II.
1944 Finland's long and arduous journey through World War II draws to a close as the nation exits its conflict with the Soviet Union.
1944 Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg formally constituted Benelux in 1944, a significant step towards economic cooperation and regional stability in post-war Europe.
1944 The city of Ypres, Belgium, was liberated by Allied forces during World War II, a crucial step in reclaiming occupied territories.
1944 Soviet forces achieved a significant victory by capturing the city of Tartu, Estonia, during World War II, altering the Eastern Front's dynamics.
1944 The first V-2 rocket attack on London during World War II introduced a terrifying new dimension to modern warfare.
1944 Bulgaria undergoes a seismic shift in 1944 as the Fatherland Front takes power through a military coup, establishing a new pro-Soviet government in a pivotal moment during World War II.
1944 World War II experiences a tragic event as an RAF bombing raid on Darmstadt, Germany, followed by a firestorm, claims the lives of 11,500 people.
1944 The liberation of Yugoslavia from Axis occupation forges ahead, with the city of Bajina Bašta in western Serbia standing tall among the liberated cities.
1944 In the midst of World War II, the Battle of Meligalas began on September 13, 1944, pitting Greek Resistance forces of the Greek People's Liberation Army (ELAS) against collaborationist security battalions.
1944 The liberation of Maastricht by Allied forces during World War II marked a moment of jubilation and hope for the Dutch people under German occupation.
1944 Franklin D. Roosevelt and Winston Churchill convened in Quebec for the Octagon Conference, a critical meeting to strategize and coordinate the Allied war effort during World War II.
1944 The Battle of Peleliu commenced as U.S. Marine Corps' 1st Marine Division and U.S. Army's 81st Infantry Division landed on White and Orange beaches under heavy Japanese fire during World War II, marking a fierce chapter in the Pacific campaign.
1944 World War II: On this day in 1944, Allied airborne troops parachuted into the Netherlands as part of Operation Market Garden's "Market" phase. This operation aimed to secure key bridges and hasten the end of the war in Europe.
1944 World War II: On September 17, 1944, Soviet troops launched the Tallinn Offensive against Germany and pro-independence Estonian units, a significant campaign on the Eastern Front with implications for Baltic history.
1944 In the Battle of San Marino on September 17, 1944, German forces faced an Allied attack. This battle was part of the broader Italian Campaign and contributed to the liberation of Italy from Axis occupation.
1944 The Battle of Arracourt commences in World War II, a significant confrontation with far-reaching consequences and a high toll of casualties.
1944 General Douglas MacArthur relocates his headquarters from Manila to Tokyo, a pivotal moment in post-war reconstruction and diplomacy in Asia.
1944 The Battle of Hürtgen Forest, the longest individual battle for the U.S. Army in World War II, begins.
1944 The Moscow Armistice between Finland and the Soviet Union officially ends the Continuation War.
1944 During World War II in 1944, surviving elements of the British 1st Airborne Division withdrew from Arnhem via Oosterbeek.
1944 The Kassel Mission, which took place on September 27, 1944, resulted in the largest loss by a USAAF group on any mission during World War II. This mission underscored the dangers and sacrifices faced by Allied aircrews during the war.
1944 Soviet Army troops liberate Klooga concentration camp in Estonia during World War II.
1944 German counter-offensive commences to reclaim the Nijmegen salient captured during Operation Market Garden.
1944 German forces bring an end to the Warsaw Uprising during World War II, resulting in the city's devastation and significant loss of life.
1944 The Provisional Government of the French Republic granted women the right to vote, marking a significant step toward gender equality.
1944 Units of the 1st Czechoslovak Army Corps entered Czechoslovakia during the Battle of the Dukla Pass, marking a crucial moment in the liberation of their homeland.
1944 In a harrowing act of resistance, Jewish prisoners at Birkenau concentration camp set fire to Crematorium IV during an uprising.
1944 Captain Bobbie Brown's bravery during the Battle of Crucifix Hill earned him a well-deserved Medal of Honor.
1944 The Soviet Union annexes the Tuvan People's Republic, reshaping the political landscape in the region.
1944 The Axis occupation of Athens concludes, marking a turning point in World War II as the city is liberated from enemy forces.
1944 The Soviet Riga Offensive succeeds in capturing the city, a significant achievement during the Second World War.
1944 World War II takes a dramatic turn as Germany intervenes in Hungary, following the latter's announcement of an armistice with the Soviet Union.
1944 Amid the turmoil of World War II, the Soviet Union embarks on the liberation of Czechoslovakia from the grip of Nazi Germany. This pivotal campaign reshapes the course of history in Eastern Europe.
1944 The state funeral of Field Marshal Erwin Rommel takes place in Ulm, Germany. This somber event serves as a poignant reminder of the human toll exacted by the tumultuous events of World War II.
1944 United States forces' landing in the Philippines plays a crucial role in the liberation of the archipelago from Japanese occupation during World War II.
1944 The initiation of a coup against Juan Federico Ponce Vaides marks the beginning of the transformative ten-year Guatemalan Revolution.
1944 A moment of liberation and triumph occurs as the Soviet Red Army and Yugoslav Partisans liberate Belgrade during World War II, marking a significant turning point in the conflict.
1944 A devastating catastrophe takes place as liquefied natural gas leaks from storage tanks in Cleveland, triggering a massive explosion that levels 30 city blocks and claims the lives of 130 people.
1944 General Douglas MacArthur fulfills his promise to return to the Philippines during the Battle of Leyte in World War II, making a historic and strategic landing.
1944 The terrifying era of kamikaze warfare begins as the first kamikaze attack damages HMAS Australia, marking the onset of the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
1944 A somber chapter unfolds in history with the Nemmersdorf massacre, a harrowing event targeting German civilians during World War II.
1944 The first glimmer of hope emerges for the Allies as the city of Aachen falls to American forces after three weeks of fierce combat, becoming the first German city to succumb to the Allied forces.
1944 One of the largest naval battles in history, the Battle of Leyte Gulf, commenced during World War II, with far-reaching consequences for the conflict's outcome.
1944 The Battle of Leyte Gulf temporarily halted Japan's center force during World War II, a significant turning point in the Pacific theater.
1944 Heinrich Himmler's iron fist descended on the Edelweiss Pirates, a subversive youth culture in Nazi Germany, sealing their fate as they aided deserters and resisted the Third Reich.
1944 A twist of fate befell the USS Tang as it met its demise due to a malfunctioning torpedo, a somber chapter in the annals of World War II naval history.
1944 The Battle of Leyte Gulf marked the final, dramatic attempt of the Imperial Japanese Navy to shift the tides of World War II, culminating in a climactic showdown.
1944 The Battle of Leyte Gulf concluded with an overwhelming American victory in 1944, altering the balance of power in the Pacific theater of World War II.
1944 The conclusion of the Slovak National Uprising comes as German forces capture Banská Bystrica during WWII's turbulent times.
1944 The Dutch city of Breda experiences liberation as the 1st Polish Armoured Division successfully liberates the city from occupation during World War II. This momentous event represents a pivotal step towards the restoration of European freedom and sovereignty.
1944 World War II's Eastern Front witnesses the Soviet Red Army entering Hungary, marking a crucial stage in the region's liberation from Axis occupation. This military advance accelerates the end of the war in Europe and sets the stage for post-war reconstruction.
1944 The shadows of the Holocaust loom large as Anne and Margot Frank are transported from Auschwitz to the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, where they succumb to disease shortly before the war's end.
1944 World War II continued as units of the British Army launched a daring landing operation at Walcheren, a significant event in the European theater.
1944 World War II: Two supreme commanders of the Slovak National Uprising, Generals Ján Golian and Rudolf Viest, are captured, tortured and later executed by German forces.
1944 On November 4, 1944, the 7th Macedonian Liberation Brigade achieved a significant milestone by liberating Bitola for the Allies during World War II.
1944 Operation Pheasant, an Allied offensive aimed at liberating North Brabant in the Netherlands, concluded successfully on November 4, 1944, in a significant victory during World War II.
1944 On November 7, 1944, Soviet spy Richard Sorge and 34 members of his espionage ring were executed by their Japanese captors, a significant event in World War II history.
1944 Franklin D. Roosevelt achieved a historic fourth term as President of the United States when he was reelected on November 7, 1944.
1944 The USS Mount Hood, an ammunition ship, suffers a catastrophic explosion at Seeadler Harbour, Manus, Admiralty Islands, claiming the lives of at least 432 individuals and injuring 371, leaving a lasting impact.
1944 The Royal Air Force's 29 Avro Lancaster bombers sink the German battleship Tirpitz off Tromsø, Norway, in a daring and successful raid during World War II.
1944 In support of the Battle of Hürtgen Forest during World War II, Allied aircraft unleashed destruction upon the town of Düren in 1944.
1944 The founding of the Popular Socialist Youth in Cuba marks a significant milestone in the country's political and social evolution.
1944 On November 19, 1944, during World War II, U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt announced the launch of the sixth War Loan Drive, aimed at raising a significant sum of $14 billion in war bonds to support the ongoing war effort.
1944 The Battle of Vianden in 1944 witnessed thirty members of the Luxembourgish resistance bravely defending the town against a larger Waffen-SS attack, making a stand against the tide of conflict during World War II.
1944 World War II saw the American submarine USS Sealion sink the Japanese battleship Kongō and the Japanese destroyer Urakaze in the Formosa Strait.
1944 In the aftermath of the Continuation War, Finland disbands the Lotta Svärd Movement, honoring the terms of an armistice treaty. This moment reflects the resilience of nations in the face of conflict and uncertainty.
1944 The 73rd Bombardment Wing launches the first Tokyo attack from the Northern Mariana Islands, intensifying the Pacific campaign during WWII.
1944 A V-2 rocket's devastating impact on a Woolworth's shop in London results in 168 casualties, serving as a poignant reminder of wartime suffering.
1944 Germany's V-1 and V-2 attacks on Antwerp, Belgium, mark a dark chapter in World War II's history as the city endures relentless assaults.
1944 A catastrophic explosion rocks RAF Fauld, a Royal Air Force ammunition dump in Staffordshire, resulting in a tragic loss of seventy lives during World War II.
1944 Albania celebrates its liberation as Partisan forces succeed in driving out occupying forces, marking a pivotal moment in the nation's history and its pursuit of independence.
1944 Amid the chaos of the Greek Civil War, Athens becomes a battleground as the ELAS and government forces, supported by the British Army, engage in fierce combat.
1944 A seismic event along the coast of Wakayama Prefecture in Japan triggers a devastating tsunami, claiming the lives of 1,223 people. The aftermath leaves a profound impact on the region's landscape.
1944 A single-engine UC-64A Norseman plane carrying Major Glenn Miller goes missing over the English Channel during World War II, leaving a lasting mystery.
1944 The Battle of the Bulge, one of World War II's pivotal battles, began on December 16, 1944, as three German armies launched a surprise offensive through the Ardennes forest, altering the course of the war.
1944 The Malmedy massacre, a grim chapter in the Battle of the Bulge, witnessed the tragic fate of American POWs at the hands of Waffen-SS Kampfgruppe Joachim Peiper.
1944 In response to the Japanese Operation Ichi-Go offensive, XX Bomber Command launches a daring bombing mission, raining incendiary bombs on a supply base in Hankow, China, during World War II.
1944 The United States Supreme Court delivers the Korematsu v. United States decision, upholding Executive Order 9066 and the incarceration of Japanese Americans, a somber chapter in American history.
1944 The Battle of the Bulge reaches a dramatic climax as German troops demand the surrender of United States troops at Bastogne, prompting General Anthony McAuliffe's iconic one-word response: "Nuts!"
1944 The People's Army of Vietnam is born, a formidable force determined to resist Japanese occupation of Indochina, heralding a new chapter in the nation's struggle for independence.
1944 The tragic sinking of the Belgian Troopship Leopoldville during World War II results in the loss of many lives and underscores the perils of wartime transport.
1944 General George S. Patton's Third Army successfully broke the encirclement of U.S. forces at Bastogne during World War II, turning the tide in favor of the Allies.
1944 Maurice Richard achieves an unprecedented feat by scoring eight points in a single NHL ice hockey game, etching his name in sports history.
1944 Greece faced a pivotal moment during World War II in 1944 when King George II declared a regency, leaving the throne vacant during a period of significant political upheaval and international influence.
1944 The Western Front of World War II experienced a surge of activity as Operation Nordwind, the last major Wehrmacht offensive, commenced, shaping the final chapters of the war.
1944 The 900-day Siege of Leningrad comes to an end during World War II, marking a turning point in the Eastern Front.
1944 The Great Raids Against Helsinki commence during World War II, marking a significant military campaign with far-reaching consequences in the northern theater of the war.
1944 The historic town of Narva in German-occupied Estonia bears the brunt of Soviet Air Forces bombings during World War II, erasing its rich Swedish-era history.
1944 Tragedy struck on March 24, 1944, when German troops carried out a massacre of 335 Italian civilians in Rome, leaving a dark mark on World War II history.
1944 The daring escape of 76 Allied prisoners of war from Stalag Luft III during World War II, an event later immortalized in "The Great Escape" movie, began on March 24, 1944.
1944 Rudolf Vrba and Alfréd Wetzler's daring escape from Birkenau death camp brings vital information about the Holocaust to the world.
1944 The conclusion of the fourth battle of the Battle of Monte Cassino unfolds during World War II as German paratroopers evacuate Monte Cassino.
1944 The Soviet Union initiates the deportation of Crimean Tatars, marking a dark chapter in history.
1944 Bombay's harbor is rocked by a catastrophic explosion, claiming the lives of 300 people and causing extensive economic damage, with the disaster's impact valued at a staggering 20 million pounds.
