Tag: WWII

History Happenings: WWII, WWI, Civil War

Before we jump into History Happenings during World War II, World War I and the American Civil War for September, we have some thoughts for autumn, no matter where you are. 

D-Day Hero Thomas Meehan’s Letters

Watch Stephen Ambrose read the letters that Thomas Meehan’s III, an officer with Easy Company, wrote to his wife before he died on D-Day. You can also read the letters that he wrote to his wife and learn more about this D-Day hero.

The National D-Day Memorial: Must Visit

On June 6th, 1944 United States soldiers, in one of the most pivotal battles of World War II, invaded the French coastline in order to propel German soldiers out of Western Europe and lead the way for victory against the tyrants of that era. Dedicated on June 6th, 2001 by president George W. Bush, the …

General Grow: An American Doctor in the Czar’s Army

This article by our historian Kevin M. Hymel tells the unusual story of Malcolm C. Grow, a 28-year-old Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, physician, who traveled to war-torn Czarist Russia in 1915 and served as a corps surgeon until 1917, as Russian armies tried to push back the German invasion.

History Happenings May: Civil War and WWII

In this month’s History Happenings, Mark Bielski shares a few events of note that happened during World War II and the American Civil War. As Ralph W. Emerson wrote, “What potent blood hath modest May.”
 

Tribute to Norwood Thomas of the 101st Airborne Division

Connie Kennedy had the great pleasure of meeting veteran Norwood Thomas when she was a tour manager for Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours in Normandy during the 70th Anniversary of D-Day. Norwood was a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division and landed in the field at Lafierre Bridge, which is where Connie met him. He have been invited to France at the request of the French Mayor to receive the French Legion of Honor Medal during the D-Day ceremonies. As Connie recalls…

History Happenings April

“April is the cruelest month” according to T.S. Eliot, but was he also thinking historically? You decide if these events qualify. Here are a few of note that happened during World War II and the American Civil War.

The D-Day Project

Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours’ renowned D-Day to the Rhine Tour dates back to the 1970s, from the days when Stephen E. Ambrose was a history professor at the University of New Orleans. Learn how this tour developed and the WWII luminaries who informed its evolution.

Interview with historian Rick Beyer on Top Secret WWII Ghost Army

This Q&A with historian Rick Beyer about the fascinating 23rd Headquarters Special Troops, also known as The Ghost Army of WWII, was originally published in Unbeige. The magazine takes “a colorful look at art, design, and visual culture,” oddly a good fit for an interview about this top secret U.S. Army unit that had a surprising number of the artists serving, including fashion designer, Bill Blass, and Ellsworth Kelly, a celebrated minimalist painter.