world war two

12 articles

May8

2016How is it that there were more civilian deaths than military during the Second World War?

The Mémorial des civils dans la guerre, located in Falaise, Normandy, stands as the first museum in the world solely dedicated to civilians caught in the devastation of armed conflict. Highlighting the grim reality that over 30 million civilians perished—more than military personnel—during the Second World War, the memorial brings attention to this historic turning point in the nature of wartime suffering. Opened on 8 May 2016, the museum is uniquely situated near the birthplace of William the Conqueror, and features a remarkable archaeological find: the preserved remains of a home destroyed in an August 1944 bombing, discovered during construction and now integrated into its exhibitions. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the memorial, visitors are invited to explore three floors of history recounting occupation, resistance, and the unforgettable stories of survival and loss in cities like Saint-Lô and Le Havre, where civilian casualties reached staggering numbers.

Sep9

2015Where was the 1944 liberation of Paris decided?

The crucial decision to launch the liberation of Paris in 1944 was made at the Château du Bois-Gamats, just south of Laval on the banks of the Mayenne river in western France. Here, on 22 August 1944, General Philippe Leclerc received the long-awaited order from General Omar Bradley to lead his 2ème Division Blindée toward the French capital, shifting the course of the war in France. The château, which had served as a German headquarters until its liberation earlier that month, stands out as the very place where Paris's fate was sealed—today, a special milestone marker at its entrance commemorates this pivotal moment. This commemorative marker is one of the many “Bornes” along the historic 2nd Armoured Division Road, a route stretching over 1,145 kilometers and symbolizing the Allied advance from Normandy to the liberation of Western Europe.

Sep3

2003What memorial commemorates civilian war casualties of the Mercantile Marine and the Merchant Navy?

The Tower Hill Memorial, situated near the Tower of London, stands as the only monument dedicated exclusively to merchant seamen from the Mercantile Marine and Merchant Navy who died in both World Wars with no known grave. This memorial honours over 36,000 individuals, including 480 Canadians, whose sacrifice was vital to wartime efforts yet largely unsung. A unique feature is panel 47, which specifically remembers the crew of the SS Empress of Canada, lost during the Second World War. The memorial not only preserves the names of the fallen but continues to evolve, with new names and corrections added as research uncovers more of its silent stories.

Dec7

1992What is the largest wreath-laying program in America and Canada?

Wreaths Across America, the largest wreath-laying program in the United States, was founded in 1992 by Morril Worcester of Harrington, Maine, after he placed 5,000 surplus wreaths at Arlington National Cemetery. This heartfelt gesture to honor veterans has grown into an annual event involving over two million volunteers and the placement of more than 1.5 million wreaths at 2,500 locations across the U.S., at sea, and abroad. Inspired by this movement, Wreaths Across Canada was established in 2007, leading to ceremonies at military cemeteries nationwide, including the National Military Cemetery in Ottawa where more than 2,800 wreaths are laid each December. The dual programs unite communities on both sides of the border, with Wreaths Across America and Wreaths Across Canada marking their 34th and 15th anniversaries in December 2025.

Sep29

1984What military memorial is considered one of the most controversial pieces of Canadian art?

Per Ardua ad Astra, also known as the Canadian Airman's Memorial, stands along University Avenue in Toronto as one of the most controversial pieces of Canadian public art. Created by renowned sculptor Oscar Nemon and unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II on September 29, 1984, the striking modernist monument honors Royal Canadian Air Force members, including the seven airmen awarded the Victoria Cross in the World Wars. Almost immediately after its installation, the memorial became a lightning rod for criticism, both for its abstract design and because it was placed on a plinth against the artist’s wishes. Notably, after vandals spray-painted it with the phrase "Gumby goes to Heaven," the nickname stuck, cementing its unique—and divisive—place in Canadian art history.

Feb3

1949What is the French 'Gratitude Train' of 1949?

The French 'Gratitude Train,' or 'Train de la Reconnaissance Française,' arrived in New York City on February 3, 1949, as a heartfelt thank you from the people of France to the citizens of America. This extraordinary gesture followed America's postwar relief efforts, most notably the bustling Friendship Train, which sent over 700 boxcars of food and aid to war-torn Europe in 1947. Packed with more than 52,000 gifts from French citizens of all walks of life, the 49 iconic 'Hommes 40 et Chevaux 8' boxcars—once used to transport troops in wartime—became cherished symbols of international gratitude, each bearing shields for France's provinces. Arizona's own Merci Train boxcar, restored and exhibited today, continues to remind visitors of this enduring story of generosity and friendship nearly eight decades later.

May5

1945What is connection between Canada’s capital, tulips, and the Liberation of the Netherlands?

In Ottawa, Ontario, the Canadian Tulip Festival transforms the city each spring into a vibrant sea of flowers, honouring a unique bond between Canada and the Netherlands. This annual celebration marks both the critical role Canadian troops played in the 1945 liberation of the Netherlands and the extraordinary gesture of gratitude from the Dutch royal family, who sent tens of thousands of tulips as thanks for sanctuary during World War II. Today, more than 35,000 tulips brighten Beechwood Cemetery’s botanical gardens alone, while visitors and photographers from around the world gather to capture their beauty and reflect on sacrifices made decades ago. In 2025, the 73rd festival will also commemorate the 81st anniversary of the Netherlands’ liberation, keeping the legacy of friendship and peace blooming for new generations.

Apr30

1945Who founded the Rangers of the United States Army?

Brigadier General William Orlando Darby, born and raised in Fort Smith, Arkansas, founded the famed United States Army Rangers during World War II. Known for his frontline leadership, Darby organized and led America’s first Ranger Battalion, which became legendary for its daring operations from North Africa to Italy. A tragic chapter unfolded at Cisterna during the Anzio campaign, where of the 767 Rangers sent into battle, 761 were killed or captured in a single night on January 30, 1944. Today, his legacy endures not only in military tradition but also through a striking bronze statue in Fort Smith, unveiled on April 30, 2016—exactly 71 years after Darby’s death in Italy just two days before Germany’s surrender.

Dec16

1944What is known as the "greatest battle ever fought by the United States Army"?

The Battle of the Bulge, fought in the icy forests of Belgium and Luxembourg from December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945, is remembered as the greatest battle ever fought by the United States Army. This fierce last-ditch German counteroffensive not only tested Allied resolve but also resulted in staggering losses—up to 100,000 German and 75,000 American casualties. A striking six-foot bronze statue in Lake Eola Park, Orlando, Florida, dedicated on the battle’s 55th anniversary in 1999, honors the gallant men and women who fought there. Uniquely, this monument, believed to be only the second of its kind in the world, stands atop a white star surrounded by flags from the U.S., Belgium, and Luxembourg, linking American memory with European history.

Jan12

1942Who was the first United States soldier to be awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II?

Second Lieutenant Alexander R. Nininger Jr., born in Gainesville, Georgia and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, became the first United States soldier to receive the Medal of Honor in World War II for his extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Bataan in the Philippines. Voluntarily joining the embattled Company K, Nininger was killed in action on January 12, 1942, after single-handedly attacking enemy positions despite being wounded three times. His legacy is unique—not only was he the first among his West Point class to fall in WWII, but he remains memorialized at West Point’s Nininger Hall, on the Tablets of the Missing in Manila, and in numerous places across Florida and the nation. The 84th anniversary of his death is honored on January 12, 2026, celebrating a story of valor that continues to inspire generations.

Dec7

1941What U.S. national day of remembrance had been earlier declared as "a date which will live in infamy"?

National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, observed each year on December 7, honors the lives lost during the surprise attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy and Air Force on Naval Station Pearl Harbor in Honolulu, Hawaii. This pivotal event, famously described by President Franklin D. Roosevelt as "a date which will live in infamy," marked the United States' entry into World War II. On that day in 1941, more than 2,000 Americans perished and nearly 200 aircraft were destroyed, with the USS Arizona suffering the greatest losses—1,177 of its 1,512 crew members died and only two survivors remain as of 2019. The annual commemoration, officially recognized by Congress in 1994, serves as a lasting tribute to the selfless sacrifice of those who served and marks over eight decades since that fateful morning changed the course of history.

Sep2

1873What was the first national monument erected in the newly founded German Empire in its new capital city of Berlin?

The Victory Column (Siegessäule) in Berlin was the first national monument erected by the newly founded German Empire in its capital following unification in 1871. Built to commemorate Prussia’s decisive victories in the wars of unification, the column was inaugurated on 2 September 1873, the anniversary of the landmark Battle of Sedan. Surviving relocation during the Nazi era and damage in World War II, the monument is crowned by the iconic golden statue of Victoria and adorned with gilded cannons and reliefs—some of which were only returned from France in 1987, marking a powerful gesture of peace and reconciliation. Today, 152 years after its unveiling, the Victory Column stands not only as a symbol of military triumph but also as a place of reflection and unity in the heart of Berlin.