Hundreds of Nazi-related documents and membership cards, including propaganda materials and photographs, were recently discovered in Argentine Supreme Court archives. These items, shipped from Tokyo in 1941 and initially flagged by customs officials, were part of a case investigated by a congressional commission concerned about potential threats to Argentina’s neutrality during World War II. The materials, which include membership booklets from the “Unión Alemana de Gremios,” have been secured for preservation and analysis to determine their relevance to Holocaust investigations and the post-war influx of Nazis into Argentina. Supreme Court Chief Justice Horacio Rosatti has ordered a full inventory of the newly found archive.
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A 25-year-old Japanese man, Fumiya Takenawa, gained entry to Expo 2025 in Osaka using a ticket from the cancelled 1940 Grand International Exposition of Japan. Expo 2025 organizers honored the vintage ticket, exchanging it for two passes, following a precedent set by previous Japanese Expos. Takenawa, a collector of expo memorabilia, acquired the ticket online. This policy reflects a continuing recognition of the historical significance of the 1940 event, despite its cancellation due to World War II.
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Russia’s Medvedev dismissed Trump’s assertion regarding the United States’ World War II role as “pretentious nonsense,” a sentiment echoed across many online comments. The core of Medvedev’s criticism centers on the idea of any single nation taking sole credit for the Allied victory. He rightly points out that the defeat of fascism was a collaborative effort, requiring the combined strength and sacrifices of nations across the ideological spectrum – left, center, and right – working together across countless borders. To claim singular credit is not only historically inaccurate but also deeply disrespectful to the millions who perished fighting the Axis powers.… Continue reading
A delegation of 22 Canadian Second World War veterans, aged 96 to 105, traveled to the Netherlands to commemorate the 80th anniversary of its liberation. The veterans, many of whom fought in Holland, were greeted with overwhelming gratitude and heartfelt appreciation from the Dutch populace. Thousands lined the streets of Apeldoorn, displaying Canadian flags and thanking the veterans for their service. This emotional reunion highlighted the enduring bond between Canada and the Netherlands, emphasizing the lasting impact of the Canadian liberation efforts during a period of severe famine and Nazi occupation. The events included parades, ceremonies, and visits to war cemeteries, underscoring the significance of the anniversary and the sacrifices made.
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President Trump announced the renaming of May 8th as “Victory Day,” commemorating the end of World War II in Europe, despite the war continuing in the Pacific until August 1945. He also proposed replacing Veterans Day with a World War I commemoration on November 11th. This decision sparked criticism, given the continued fighting against Japan and the historical significance of Veterans Day in honoring all U.S. veterans. The unilateral nature of these pronouncements and their potential legal challenges remain unclear. Previous attempts to alter Veterans Day faced significant public backlash.
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Following his failed attempt to flee to Switzerland, Benito Mussolini was captured and executed by Italian partisans, along with his mistress Clara Petacci. Their bodies, along with those of sixteen other Fascists, were subsequently displayed in Milan’s Piazzale Loreto—a location previously used by the Fascists to intimidate the populace—as an act of revenge and symbolic retribution. This public display of the former dictator’s corpse, once idolized, became a site of intense public anger and desecration, reflecting the chaotic transition between regimes. The event’s significance continues to resonate today, particularly in light of the recent rise of far-right sentiment in Italy.
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The 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, the only all-Black, all-female unit to serve in Europe during World War II, will receive the Congressional Gold Medal. This long-overdue honor recognizes their extraordinary service in clearing a massive mail backlog in England and France, exceeding expectations by completing the task twice as fast as projected. Their accomplishments, previously overlooked, are now finally being celebrated, with the medal presented to the family of their commander, Lt. Col. Charity Adams Earley. The recognition comes after a sustained campaign and highlights the significant contributions of these pioneering Black women to the war effort.
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South Korea expressed “deep disappointment and regret” over Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba’s offering to the Yasukuni Shrine, a site viewed by Seoul as a symbol of Japan’s WWII aggression. Ishiba’s offering, a traditional tree branch, accompanied a visit by Japanese lawmakers. The South Korean government urged Japan to acknowledge its wartime history and demonstrate remorse, highlighting this as crucial for future relations. This action follows recent improvements in bilateral ties, raising concerns about potential setbacks. The incident underscores the ongoing sensitivity surrounding historical issues between the two nations.
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Germany’s Bundestag will not invite the Russian and Belarusian ambassadors to its 80th anniversary commemoration of the end of World War II. This decision, based on government assessment, stems from concerns that their presence could be exploited for anti-Ukraine propaganda. The ceremony will instead focus on the war’s victims and lessons for the present, prioritizing speeches from German President Steinmeier and Bundestag Speaker Klöckner. This exclusion follows previous guidance advising against inviting Russian and Belarusian officials to related events. The Russian ambassador criticized this decision as endangering reconciliation efforts.
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U.S. Army Air Forces Cpl. Glenn H. Hodak, a B-29 gunner shot down over Tokyo in March 1945, has been accounted for after being identified among remains from the Tokyo Military Prison. Captured after his plane crashed, Hodak perished in a massive fire that destroyed the prison in late May 1945. His remains, initially buried in a mass grave and later interred as Unknown at Manila American Cemetery, were identified through a combination of dental, anthropological analysis, and DNA sequencing as part of the DPAA’s Tokyo Prison Fire Project. Hodak will receive a burial in Spring Creek, Pennsylvania.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood