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Wizard of Oz
Written by L. Frank Baum, "The Wizard of Oz" was a remake of the popular story "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." It was a big budget spectacle that had many special effects. It was produced, along with several other movies, because people were worried about the idea of war and the problems it could bring. -
Hitler is Named Times Man of the Year
Adolf Hitler was Times Man of the Year for 1938. He was recognized because he was Chief & Commander of the German Army, Navy, & Airforce, as well as being the Chancellor of the Third Reich. He was praised for also destroying the Treaty of Versailles, taking over Austria, and bringing over 10.5 million people in under German rule. -
Auschwitz Founded
Located in the subarbs of OSwiecim, Poland, Auschwitz was created because there was a mass increase in arrests of Poles and they could not be held in "local" prisons. Here Poles were put through expulsion and systematic extermination. Auschwitz would eventually become the largest death camp created by the Nazis. -
War Enters Germany
In the final months of the European Theatre, the Allies conducted a plan to invade Western Germany. The Allies began by crossing the Rhine River and fanning out over Germany. Through a series of battles like Battle of the Bulge, Aachen, and Rhineland the Allies began to take the lead in the war. Nazi Germany would eventually surrender on May 8, 1945. -
US drafts men
Under the Selective Service & Training Act of 1940, all men between the ages of 21-45 were required to register. If drafted, they must serve for atleast one year, but once U.S. entered the war they were required to serve the duration of the war. This was the first time in history the U.S. conducted a draft during peace time. -
Bob Feller Enlists
Bob Feller was an American baseball pitcher for the Cleveland Indians from 1936-1941 and 1941-1956. He was the first professional athlete to enlist. Feller enlisted in the Navy two days after Pearl Harbor. He wanted to be a fighter pilot but had failed the tests. -
Anne Frank Goes Into Hiding
The Frank family attempted to flee the Netherlands and go to Great Biritian in 1938 and the United States in 1941 but did not succeed. One year later, the Frank Family, Van Pels Family, and Fritz Pfeffer all went into hiding in the summer of 1942. They remained hidden in a secret annex in part of Otto Frank's business. Little did they know, they would remain in hiding for more than the next two years. -
Von Trapp Family Escapes Austria
Georg Von Trapp was a decorated WWI naval hero. After he declined a high ranking naval command post, the family had to escape Austria. Contrary to the movie, The Sound of Music, The Von Trapps did not climb the mountains and cross over into Switzerland. They actually took a train ride to Italy and emigrated. -
Monuments Men Founded
Four hundred service members and civilians worked with military to protect mounments and to find and return art and stolen items from the Nazis. Monuments men was created to protect cultural property during WWII in war areas and after war. This was the first time in history that an army attempted to fight a war and also reduce damage to cultural objects at the same time. Also known as the "Greatest Treasure Hunt in History. -
Operation Valkyrie
Operation Valkyrie was a failed assassination attempt against Hitler. It was carried out by Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg. The objective of killing Hitler was to regain the country and end the Nazi rule. -
Anne Frank Discovered
After spending 5 months at Auschwitz, Anne Frank contracted Typhiod Fever. She died in early March, 1945. A few weeks after her death Auschwitz was liberated by the British. -
FDR Dies
After leading the country through the Great Depression and 95% of WWII, FDR died. He died shortly after returning from Europe and its peace conferences. The cause of his death was a stroke. -
Hitler Commits Suicide
With the Allies pushing in from the West and the Soviet Union from the East, and the defeat at Battle of the Bulge Hitler knew it was the end. Rather then be captured and arrested for his war crimes he committed suicide by shooting himself. His girlfriend also commited suicide by biting into a cynaid capsule. -
UN Founded
The UN was formed shortly after the allies won WWII. It is the successor to the League of Nations. The UN's main focus is preserving world peace.
