Remembering the 80th Anniversary of the Normandy Invasion
On June 6, 1944, the soldiers of the Allied Forces landed on the beaches of Normandy, France. The day of the invasion is known as D-Day. The invasion was a key turning point in World War II. The Allies landed in German occupied France, opening up a new front in the war against Nazi Germany. […]
World War II’s American “Ghost Army”
During World War II (1939-1945), a top-secret U.S. Army unit had a unique mission: to confuse and trick German soldiers. The men were sworn to secrecy, even after the war. Many died without ever telling anyone, including their own families. Finally, in March 2024, the “Ghost Army” received the Congressional Gold Medal for its role […]
Stolen Art Returned to Japan
A surprising discovery was made in 2023 in the attic of a Massachusetts home. While sorting through their late father’s belongings, the children of a World War II veteran stumbled upon a collection of Japanese antiques. Astonishingly, there were 22 pieces hidden away. The oldest items dated back to the 1700s. The family reported their […]
Women’s History Month: Women Airforce Service Pilots
At the height of World War II, more than 1,000 women volunteered for U.S. military jobs that women had never held. They were aviation pioneers who made significant contributions to support the United States and its Allied partners in the war. Called to Serve The United States entered World War II on December 8, 1941. […]
AAPI Heritage Month: The Ireicho
During World War II, thousands of Japanese American citizens and Japanese immigrants were removed from their homes and imprisoned in camps around the United States. Some remained in these camps for as long as three years. Until recently, no complete record of their names existed. Here, btw takes a closer look at the effort to […]
Real-life “Rosie the Riveters” Honored for Wartime Contributions
After more than 80 years, Rosie the Riveter and her “We Can Do It!” slogan remains an inspirational symbol for many. A riveter is someone whose job is to fasten things using rivets, or metal pins. This type of job is common in shipbuilding–a critical industry during the United States’ World War II mobilization. The […]
Stuff YOU Should Know
Colombia’s New President Gustavo Petro was sworn in as Colombia’s new president on August 7, 2022. This inauguration was historic because Petro is Colombia’s first leftist president and he was a former member of M-19, an urban guerilla group which fought against the nation’s past authoritarian government. For more than fifty years, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of […]
Remembering Norm Mineta: Groundbreaking Cabinet Member
Norman Mineta died on May 3, 2022, at his home in Maryland. Mineta served in two presidential cabinets as head of the U.S. Secretary of Transportation. Mineta was the first Asian American appointed to the Cabinet in 2000. As Transportation Secretary during the Bush administration, he helped manage the airline industry in the days following […]
“Going for Broke”: Remembering the 442nd Regimental Combat Team
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month–a time to honor and celebrate this community’s many accomplishments, achievements, and contributions. The 442nd Regimental Combat Unit that served during World War II was a segregated Japanese American unit. It became one of the most decorated military units in U.S. history. Here, btw takes a […]
Anniversaries of the Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Seventy-five years ago last week, the United States dropped atomic bombs on two Japanese cities: Hiroshima (August 6, 1945) and Nagasaki (August 9, 1945). This decision was largely credited with speeding the end of World War II. But it also caused enormous devastation to Japanese civilians. Here, btw takes a closer look at the impact […]