-
GERMANY INVADES POLAND
Germany forces have invaded Poland and its planes have bombed Polish cities, including the capital, Warsaw. The attack comes without any warning or declaration of war. -
Period: to
World War 2
-
County Fair
Thousands of people, of all faiths, attended this county fair in Pittsburgh. They demonstrated in a peace demonstration as Great Britain declared war on Germany. -
Distractions From War
The Pirates played their first night game in Forbes Field. This is one of many things that helped distract people from the war. -
FRANCE SURRENDERS TO GERMANY
Under the Armistice terms, two thirds of France is to be occupied by the Germans. The French army is to be disbanded. -
JAPANESE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR
Japan has lost a surprise attack on the American naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii and has declared war on Britain and the United States. The US president, Franklin D Roosavelt, has mobalized all his forces and is poised to declare war on Japan. -
More Men Enter The War
More than 1200 Pittsburgh young men volunteered for enlistment in the armed services in one day. That's the way it was all over the country after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. -
BATTLE OF MIDWAY
The Battle of Midway, fought over and near the tiny US mid-Pacific base at Midway atool, represents the stratigic high water mark of Japan's Pacific Ocean war. Prior to this action, Japan possessed general naval superiority over the United States and could usually chose where and when to attack. -
The Army War Show
The Army War Show was given at Pitt stadium. People attended these to show their support of the was. -
THE BATTLE OF STALINGRAD
The Battle of Stalingrad is said to be by many historians the turning point in World War 2 in Europe. This battle bled the German army dry in Russia and after this defeat, the German army was in full retreat. -
Dedication to Governor
The Western State Psychiatric Hospital was built. It was dedicated to Governor Arthur H. James. -
D DAY
Thousands of Allied troops have begun ladingon the beaches of Normandy in northern France at the start of a major offensive against the Germans. Thousands of paratroops and glider-borne troops have also been dropped behind enemies lines and the Allies are already said to have penetrated several miles inland. -
Rally
There was a mass rally outside the East Pittsburgh plant. 20,000 employees of Westinghouse reaffirmed a no-strike pledge for duration of the war. -
Surveys
There were surveys taken that showed the war contracts completed to date or underway in Pittsbrgh district plants. It totaled $903,398,644 with $ 322,000,000 of it delivered to the front lines. -
ALLIES LIBERATE (FREE) PARIS
After 4 years under German occupation, Paris is now free. The French 2nd Armoured Division was the first Allied force to enter the city. -
Snowstorm
Thousands of Monday night Christmas shoppers were stranded downtown because of a 15-in. snowfall. Schools and other activites had to be suspended for two days. -
BATTLE OF THE BULGE
The Battle of the Bulge was the last major Nazi offensive against the Allies in World War 2. The battle was a last ditch attempt by Hitler to split the Allies in two in their drive towards Germany and destroy their ability to supply themselves. -
Chancellor Of The University Of Pittsburgh
Dr. John G. Bowman the nation's highest-paid educator of the day at $31,500 a year, resigned after 15 years as chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh. Dr. Rufus H. Fitzgerald, vice-chancellor, was designated his successor. -
BATTLE OF IWO JIMA
The battle of Iwo Jima took place in February 1945. The capture of Iwo Jima was part of a three-point plan the Americans had for winning the wasr in the Far East. -
Parades In Pittsburgh
The city marked the 100th anniversary of its great fire of 1845 with a parade and pageantry. This parade brought all of Pittsburgh together. -
FDR DIES, TRUMAN BECOMES PRESIDENT
President Roosavelt dies of a cerebral hemorrhage at Warm Springs in Georgia. Vice-President Truman becomes president. -
The Mourning Of Roosevelt
All schools and other activites were suspended for the day so everyone can mourn for their president. Churches had special services the whole day. -
HITLER COMMITS SUICIDE
After an intense street-to-street combat, Hitler shoot himself in the temple. While he was doing that, he was also biting into a cyanide capsule. -
VE DAY
On this day, the world celebrated victory in Europe. The United States, Germany surrendered to the Allies. -
George E. Evan
Councilman George E. Evan died at age 69. He was the chairman of the Pittsburgh Housing Authority and a pioneer in slum-clearance planning -
ATOMIC BOMB DROPPED ON HIROSHIMA
The first atomic bomb has been droppped by the United States aircraft on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The device was 2,000 times more powerful than the largest bomb to date. -
ATOMIC BOMB DROPPED ON NAGASAKI
This is the second bomb in three days that the US has dropped on Japan. The bomb was dropped by parachute from an American B29 Bomber at 1102 local time. -
Pittsburgh Steel Mills
Russian labor leaders arrived to tour the district's steel mills. Pittsburgh had some of the best steel mills in the country. -
Celebration Time
The city was jubilant over the surrender of Japan. All around the world people were like this not just the US. -
VJ DAY
On this day, Japan has aurrenderd unconditionally to the Allies. This effectively ended the War. -
Unemployment
Pittsburgh district industries laid off 7000 workers as the first cancellation of a war contract became effective. There have been lay offs all over the country.
