WORLD WAR II

12 Facts About the End of World War II

Savage battles, atomic bombs, and shark attacks were just some of the events leading up to the end of World War II in August 1945. Here's a look back on its 80th anniversary.

The toy aisle looked pretty different in the mid-20th century.

7 Retro Toys From the Atomic Age

From a dollhouse with a nuclear bunker to an atomic energy lab with real uranium, some of these toys from the ‘50s and ‘60s have us scratching our heads.

“Fat Man” was originally intended for a different Japanese city.

How the Japanese City of Kokura Narrowly Avoided Nagasaki’s A-Bomb

Kokura was the original target, but avoiding the atomic bomb may have been more than just random chance.

An illustration of the moments following the ‘Enola Gay’’s deployment of the atomic bomb over Hiroshima.

How 12 ‘Enola Gay’ Crew Members Remember Dropping the Atomic Bomb

After dropping the atomic bomb over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, almost all of the 12 men aboard the ‘Enola Gay’ had something to say about it.

The world changed forever when the U.S. detonated two atomic bombs over Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, in August 1945.

12 Facts About the Atomic Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Eighty years after the first—and only—deployment of atomic bombs, here’s a look back at one of history’s most devastating acts of war.

Arnold Schwarzenegger at the 2023 premiere of 'FUBAR,' season 1.

What Does ‘Fubar’ Mean?

The Arnold Schwarzenegger–starring Netflix series takes its title from World War II military slang. Here’s what 'fubar' means.

Sinking in Shark-Infested Waters: WWII Survivors Recall Navy Disaster | National Geographic

Watch USS ‘Indianapolis’ Vets Recall Surviving Shark-Infested Waters

The worst shark attack in history followed the bombing and sinking of the USS Indianapolis on July 30, 1945.

The Astounding Counterfeit Nazi Invasion Map You’ve Never Heard Of

President Franklin D. Roosevelt used the map to justify the United States entering World War II—but as one historian told Mental Floss, “was a fiction forged by the British intelligence service.”

The bow of the USS ‘Samuel B. Roberts,’ lying more than 4 miles under the surface of the Pacific Ocean.

What Is the Deepest Shipwreck Ever Found?

These are the five deepest shipwrecks ever discovered, including the USS ‘Samuel B. Roberts,’ which went to the depths of the Philippine Trench during the Second World War.

The African American Civil War Memorial.

11 Lesser-Known War Memorials

These tributes to fallen soldiers may not be as instantly recognizable as the Vietnam Memorial and others, but their stories are no less fascinating—including one that doubles as a mausoleum right in Manhattan.

L-8: The ‘Ghost Blimp’ Whose Crew Disappeared During World War II

A submarine patrol blimp departed with a two-man crew in the morning. It landed with no one on board.

How WWII Saved ‘The Great Gatsby From Obscurity

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s great American novel was a flop—until it was deployed overseas.

How ‘Monopoly’ Helped Defend The Free World

For some soldiers confined in German POW camps during World War II, ‘Monopoly’ was so much more than just a board game.

Eugene Bullard, the World’s First Black Fighter Pilot

Eugene Bullard survived some of the deadliest battles in history and became the world’s first Black fighter pilot—all before the age of 30.

The USS ‘Cobia’ is a living memorial—and an Airbnb attraction.

You Can Book a Night on a World War II Submarine Through Airbnb

Wisconsin's USS ‘Cobia’ offers guests a living history lesson via Airbnb.

Nuclear Bunker, Land Lying To The East Of Longridge Lane SK17 8AE

Take a Virtual Tour of a Post-WWII Bunker Up for Sale in England

Now is your chance to own an important part of British history.

He wants you to learn about the symbol’s history.

Who Was Uncle Sam, and Why Did He ‘Want’ You?

Uncle Sam is an easily recognizable piece of wartime propaganda. And legend says he was based off a real person—though that may not actually be the case.

Hawaii Overprint Note from the World War II era.

That Time the Government Burned $200 Million of Hawaii’s Cash

During WWII, the U.S. government was scared that Japan might take all of Hawaii's money. Here's what they did to stop it.

American troops helping their injured friends from a dinghy after the landing ship they were on was hit by enemy fire during the Allied invasion of France on D-Day

Watch Vintage Newsreel Footage of the D-Day Landings in Normandy

This 80-year-old archival footage shows Operation Neptune—the code name for the landings on the beaches at Normandy.

This fox is obviously not actually radioactive.

When the U.S. Tried to Win World War II with Radioactive Foxes

Allied officials came up with some strange strategies to win World War II. Operation Fantasia planned to use glow-in-the-dark foxes to spook Japanese forces into defeat.

Dwight Eisenhower Wrote a Letter Accepting Blame for D-Day's Failure, Just in Case

D-Day occurred on June 6, 1944, and kicked off the Battle of Normandy. Though it was a success, General Eisenhower was preparing for the worst.

Detainees at California's Manzanar War Relocation Center.

Researchers Have Published a List Honoring the More Than 125,000 Japanese Americans Incarcerated During WWII

The Irei Project and Ancestry have teamed up to publish the most comprehensive list ever assembled of the more than 125,000 Japanese Americans who were incarcerated on American soil during WWII.

D-Day: The scene of the Allied invasion on the Normandy beaches in June 1944.

13 Memorable Facts About D-Day

The Allied forces’ Normandy landings on June 6, 1944—an event better known as D-Day—became a pivotal moment in World War II .

The prime minister was no fan of his portrait.

‘Malignant’: Winston Churchill’s Most Hated Portraiture Is Headed to Auction

Winston Churchill so hated Graham Sutherland’s likeness of him that he had it set on fire.