La Bataille de Quebec: 1759

Pathe Media

The battle between England and France which was decided in Québec determined the future of Canada, and of the United States as well. This program describes the founding of Québec in 1608, and of the French colony, Canada. A hundred and fifty years later, in 1759, it was officially named New France—a small colony of some 60,000 living along the banks of the St. Lawrence; Montreal had been founded; and French explorers had explored, and claimed in the name of their king, territories from the frozen North down to the Gulf of Mexico. Seeking to restrain the English colonists, who outnumbered the French perhaps 20 to 1, the French built a series of forts, Ft. Duquesne and Ft. Niagara among them. The program analyzes the causes for the French and Indian War, the strategies and feints, and shows the siege of Québec and the final bitter battle on the Plains of Abraham in which both Wolfe and Montcalm perished. Three days later Québec fell to the British—the end of Québec as a province of France but not, as we have come to understand, as a French province. Also available in English. (57 minutes) French

Unit 731: Did Emperor Hirohito Know?

TVS TELEVISION LIMITED

Among the worst of the many atrocities committed during World War II were the germ warfare experiments by Japanese doctors with British and American prisoners of war as the guinea pigs. The germ warfare unit, code-named Unit 731, was set up in Manchuria and allegedly had secret Imperial approval. This shocking and powerful program examines a story kept secret for half a century, documenting the events and the people and tracking the deals made and the dirty secrets that finally emerged. (52 minutes)

The Tide Turns

QUARTET INTERNATIONAL INC.

The shared suffering has created a new comradeship and determination-"London can take it!" Americans are told. Nevertheless, one military disaster follows another as Rommel triumphs in North Africa. Britain suffers acute shortages of food, as three merchant ships on average are sunk every day. Food rationing is introduced, and the U.S. begins its Lend-Lease program. Women contribute as never before, working in factories, in the women's branches of the armed forces, and in civil defense. Gradually, thanks to the intervention of the United States and the German debacle on the Russian front, the tide begins to turn in the West. (58 minutes, b&w)

World War I: The War That Failed to End Wars

Pathe Media

In 1914, the participants thought it would be a short war, to be fought on the order of Austerlitz with charging cavalry, the battle lasting an afternoon. But that's not the way it turned out, and when the war was over, so was the world from which it had sprung. Both sides were certain they knew what they were fighting for and that their side was right, but it is hard to see now what World War I achieved other than to destroy a whole generation of men, establish mechanization as a measure of strength in war, destroy the economies of Europe-and set the stage for World War II. (15 minutes)

The First War in Vietnam

Pathe Media

After the Second World War, Great Britain let go her empire in Asia with relatively good grace; France was in less of a hurry to abandon Indochina, particularly with the specter (or bogey) of a Communist Vietnamese regime in the wings. This program covers the negotiations toward peace and the beginnings of war, the events leading to the Battle of Dien Bien Phu and the defeat of the French, and the Geneva Convention of 1954 and the division of Indochina into North and South, which effectively recognized North Vietnam as an independent country. Because the Geneva Convention was signed by the Chinese and the U.S. did not recognize Mao's China, the U.S. would not sign the Convention; that, and the division of Vietnam, set the stage for the second Vietnam War. (15 minutes, b&w/color)

Castro and the Cuban Revolution

Pathe Media

This program tracks the Cuban Revolution from its roots in the dictatorship of Batista, the guerilla war under the leadership of Castro and Che Guevara, their triumph-and then the switch in economic policy which turned the U.S. into an enemy. The program follows the subsequent changes in policy which turned a "good" revolution into a totalitarian one, and Cuba from a client state of the United States into a client of the Soviet Union, which resulted in the missile confrontation with the U.S. in 1962 and the Bay of Pigs, and left Cuba-unable to export sugar to the U.S.-to export revolution around the world. (17 minutes)

The Creation of Italy

Pathe Media

In 1858, Italy as a country did not exist; its territory had been divided at the Congress of Vienna into eight separate states, which provided strong motive for an independence movement at the very time when waves of nationalism and patriotic insurrection were sweeping a Europe in the throes of Romanticism. Enter Napoleon III, eager for France to reassert a leading role in European events and pleased to nettle the enemy, Austria. The first phase of the Italian fight for independence was thus instigated by the French, the Battle of Solferino: 1859. This program details the onset of that fight, the intrigues and secret deals before and after, the characters of Cavour and Garibaldi, the climactic Battle of Solferino, and Napoleon’s payoff—Nice and the Savoy. It would take another ten years for the unification of Italy to be accomplished. (30 minutes)

The Battle of the Marne

Pathe Media

The Battle of the Marne is the demarcation between the ancient and the modern world, between wars fought with white gloves and those fought by killing machines. This program examines the roots of the First World War: France's humiliating loss of Alsace and Lorraine in 1870; in the growing nationalisms, the pan-Germanism promoted by the Kaiser and the pan-Slavism by Tsar Nicholas; the jealousy and arrogance of the Germans, and their growing industrial power; the decay of the Austro-Hungarian Empire; the intertwining ententes and alliances, the words of honor given that would send millions to their deaths. The program documents the struggles, the forced marches, the uneven confrontation between well-trained soldiers and patriotic farmers; portrays the leaders on both sides; and details the battle of the Marne-a vicious, unbelievably bloody battle that in earlier times would have signaled the end of a war. This one would last four more years, cost nine million lives, and solve nothing. (30 minutes)English

Thieves of Time: Who Owns the Past?

KAET-TV, Arizona State University

This program, introduced by author Tony Hillerman, studies Native American burial grounds over five centuries of cultural, scientific, and legal change. The Native American Graves Repatriation Act, covering the ownership and study of human remains and sacred objects, is given special emphasis. Interviews with Martin Sullivan, director of the Heard Museum, in Phoenix; Paul Bender, former dean of The College of Law at Arizona State University; Richard Rabinowitz, Harvard University historian; and Walter Echo-Hawk, of the Native American Rights Fund, are featured. (28 minutes)

Mobilizing the Latino Community: Ernesto J. Cortes, Jr.

Doctoroff Media Group

Ernie Cortes isn’t a business tycoon and he hasn’t been elected to public office, but a Texas business magazine named him one of the five most powerful Texans, along with people like H. Ross Perot. Ernie Cortes’ influence, though, reaches beyond Texas and he has been called "the most effective Latino grassroots organizer in the country today." He is a man who empowers, a member of the national staff of the Industrial Areas Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps "ordinary" people organize to make positive changes in their communities. In his home state of Texas, he teaches citizens to take on issues that matter to them: water and sewer systems, roads, education, worker safety, and health care. In this program with Bill Moyers, Cortes discusses individual participation in American politics and highlights the importance of agitation, confrontation, and compromise in the discourse of democracy. (50 minutes)

Silent and Deep (The Color of War)

History Education

This program takes a look at submarine warfare during World War II. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. A part of the series The Color of War. (45 minutes)

Dressed to Kill (The Color of War)

History Education

This program takes a close look at the World War II combat soldier: the uniform that protected him from the elements, the weapons he used to attack the enemy, and the insignia and medals that distinguished him from his comrades. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. A part of the series The Color of War. (45 minutes)

Viet Cong (Declassified)

History Education

Piecing together recently disclosed stories from allied and enemy sources, this program analyzes why U.S. commanders in Vietnam made the mistake of fighting the Battle of Hamburger Hill as they had fought the battles of World War II. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

The Roman Legions (In Search of History)

History Education

This episode of In Search of History uncovers the story behind the powerful Roman army, ranked as the fiercest and most advanced fighting unit the ancient world had ever known. The legions of Rome were not only feared by enemies such as Greece or Carthage, but also by the Roman rulers they served. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

Samurai Warrior (In Search of History)

History Education

This program, a study of the samurai code of honor, sheds light on the history of Japan while helping to explain how the samurai mentality left an enduring imprint on the psyche of future generations. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

Portrait of a Terrorist: Mohamed Atta

History Education

He was the quiet son of an Egyptian lawyer, a seemingly moderate Muslim with a middle-class background. So why did he end up at the controls of the first jetliner to hit the World Trade Center on September 11? Filmed with the help of The New York Times, this edition of Investigative Reports takes a chilling look into the mind and motivations of Mohamed Atta. Interviews with those who knew Atta are featured, including his father, a former school friend, the chancellor of the university he attended in Germany, and flight instructors at the centers where he trained for his mission. Journalists, psychiatrists, and former FBI and CIA investigators also contribute to this exclusive profile of the September 11 ringleader. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

Bitter Standoff (The Korean War)

History Education

As American casualties mounted, U.S. policy shifted from liberation of Korea to containment of Communism. In this program, General Matthew Ridgway replaces an insubordinate MacArthur and turns back the enemy tide during two years of the war’s bloodiest fighting. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. A part of the series The Korean War. (45 minutes)

Army Corps of Engineers (Modern Marvels)

Modern Marvels

Throughout the 19th century, the defense of America was the main task of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It eventually took on the closely related duty of civil works. Because of the incredible diversity of projects the Army Corps of Engineers has taken on, it continues to remain on the cutting edge of science and technology. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

World War I Tech (Modern Marvels)

Modern Marvels

WWI exposed the dark side of the industrial revolution. Technological achievements that created mass production and new forms of transportation were put to use with devastating efficiency on the battlefield. Learn how tanks, aircraft, trenches, artillery, and chemical weapons were all revolutionized during this global conflict. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

1932 (Year by Year: 1929-1967)

History Education

1932 was marked by Franklin Delano Roosevelt's election and Amelia Earhart's historic flight across the Atlantic. Year by Year also looks at Al Capone's sentence to jail. Distributed by A&E Television Networks. (45 minutes)

Abu Ghraib: A Torturer's Tale

Journeyman Pictures

Javal Davis was imprisoned for assaulting inmates at Abu Ghraib, but insists he is not a torturer. His fellow MP Ken Davis was never implicated, having reported the abuse to superiors. This program presents in-depth interviews with both men, detailing their side of the story and conveying their disillusionment with Pentagon officials who wanted interrogations pushed “up a notch.” Featuring nightmarish descriptions and images from inside the prison—highlighting deplorable conditions endured by inmates and guards alike—the program also includes insight into the mentality of reservist Charles Graner, currently serving a 10-year sentence for Abu Ghraib torture. Some content may be objectionable. (25 minutes)

Part 3: "Mother of All Battles"

Electric Sky

In this program, battlefield footage captures the intensity of the war, the bombing of Iraqi military sites, and Scud missile attacks on Tel Aviv. Iraqi Prime Minister Tariq Aziz describes events leading up to the truce brokered by the Soviets. U.S. General Norman Schwarzkopf discusses his frustration with Washington’s decision not to continue the war despite Iraqi atrocities in Kuwait and Saddam Hussein’s brutal repression of the Kurds. (50 minutes)

Antoine de Saint-Exupery et Le Petit Prince

Institut National de L’Audiovisual

A consideration of the book and its importance, which reaches far beyond that of a children's fable, interwoven with dramatic readings from it and with details of the author's life and his search for spiritual meaning in flight. (French, 33 minutes, b&w)

The Wild Riders

KERA TV

"If they are human, they're a separate species," said Charley Russell about cowboys. This episode shows us the West of Frederic Remington and Charley Russell, whose works transformed the working cowboy into the most enduring hero-figure in American folklore. Russell became a living representative of the West he portrayed, the poet laureate of the passing frontier. In their very different ways, he and Remington created a gallery of heroes that live on in the American imagination. (57 minutes)

Corridos de la Revolucion Mexicana

Protele, Inc.

In this spirited program, one of Mexico's most beloved actors, Ignacio Lopez Tarso, tells in song of the struggles and triumphs of the Mexican Revolution. The songs tell the stories of battles fought and lives lost, and of the men who changed the course of Mexican history. In Spanish. (56 minutes)

Leadership in a Fast-Paced Economy

Window to the World Communications

Both were founded in 1927. Both are still going strong. And both are counting on their abilities to implement new technologies and to react quickly to changing customer tastes to stay ahead of the competition. This program pairs up James Keyes, president and CEO of 7-Eleven, and Donald Carty, chairman, president, and CEO of AMR Corporation and American Airlines, to comment on the CEO as a catalyst for change and to share how they serve customers on the go and stay ahead of cost-cutting competitors. (58 minutes)

Colombia's Guerrilla War: A Sundered Nation

Journeyman Pictures

In Colombia, government and paramilitary forces are terrorizing the populace to deprive the FARC and NLF guerrillas of civil support. But far from stamping out the war, this policy has led to an escalation that threatens to destroy the country. This program combines newsreel and documentary footage of life and death in Colombia's rural districts, cities, and guerrilla camps with interviews to explore the roots and the results of the 20th century's longest guerrilla war. Members of Bogota's Institute of Political Studies, the Red Cross, and the Church; army officers; guerrillas; politicians; and some of the 1.5 million refugees air their views on the terror and the tragedy of a nation divided. (53 minutes)

The Unelected: The Lobbies

Hedrick Smith Productions

In America, a shadow government wields incredible influence over what gets done inside the Beltway-and who reaps the benefits. In this program, correspondent Hedrick Smith spotlights the powerful influence of the nation's special interest lobbies during the Clinton years. Majority Whip Tom DeLay; Charles Blixt, of R. J. Reynolds; Mike Pertschuk, of the Advocacy Institute; members of Congress; lobbyists; and others scrutinize how UPS paralyzed OSHA's efforts to improve worker safety and how the medical insurance lobby's "Harry and Louise" ads helped sink the Clinton healthcare reform bill. In-depth reporting reveals the stealth tactics used by the tobacco industry in its ongoing fight against federal legislation. (43 minutes)

The City

TVA Films

Early cities emerged from trading posts and fortresses; they were generally accessible by water and easily defended. This program examines the metamorphosis of the city from fort and trading post to cultural epicenter and beyond. Ancient cities are discussed and Athens and Rome are compared. Modern cities including New York and Paris are also presented, with a focus on Paris’s attempt to re-create itself in the 19th century by razing slums to build monuments and boulevards. City planning and public services are examined as well, along with the middle-class exodus from, and recent return to, many American cities. (53 minutes)

United News, Release 150 (1945): Franklin Delano Roosevelt

United News

This World War II-era newsreel includes the following segments: 1. Chief Justice Stone swears in President Truman. 2. Family scenes from President Roosevelt's early years; the 1932 Democratic convention; the 1933 inaugural address; the 1941 signing of the Atlantic Charter off Newfoundland; F.D.R. at Casablanca, Cairo, and Teheran in 1943; the 1945 inaugural address; F.D.R. at Yalta in 1945; other leaders and personalities include Stalin, Churchill, Molotov, Chiang Kai-shek, General Marshall, Admiral King, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Bess Truman. (8 minutes)

United News, Release 155 (1945): U.S. Turns to Japan after German Defeat

United News

This World War II-era newsreel includes the following segments: 1. Secretary of State Stettinius, Anthony Eden, Molotov, and Mackenzie King meet in San Francisco; lights go on in New York City and Washington, D.C., as blackouts are lifted. 2. A Chinese orphan is adopted by the 14th Air Force. 3. Survivors are taken from a bombed hospital ship. 4. President Truman greets his mother at the White House. 5. General Montgomery accepts the surrender of German troops in Germany. 6. General Jodl surrenders to General W.B. Smith in France; General Eisenhower is present. (11 minutes)

United News, Release 161 (1945): World Charter Signed

United News

This World War II-era newsreel includes the following segments: 1. Delegates arrive in San Francisco for the United Nations conference at which the World Charter will be signed. 2. President Roosevelt speaks to Congress about the San Francisco Conference shortly before his death. (9 minutes)

United News, Release 183 (1945): Superfortress Sets New Distance Record

United News

This World War II-era newsreel includes the following segments: 1. A B-29 airplane lands in Washington, D.C., and General Arnold decorates the crew. 2. Disabled veterans are trained as watchmakers in a Bulova Watch Corporation School in New York City. 3. Japanese aliens board ships at Seattle, Washington. 4. Pre-Christmas parades are held in New York City and Hollywood; Jack Benny. 5. The daily routine of captured German generals in a U.S. prison camp in Germany. 6. General Eisenhower advises a congressional committee to pass universal military training. 7. General Yamashita is tried at Manila for war crimes. General R. B. Reynolds. (11 minutes)

United News, Release 1048 (1945): Allies Overrun Germany

United News

This World War II-era newsreel includes the following segments: 1. The 9th Army fighting in Hanover, Germany, and scenes on other German fronts; includes shots of a captured train load of German V-2 rockets. 2. The death of President Roosevelt and selected events in his life: taking the oath of office in 1933; the inaugural parade of 1941; signing of the Atlantic Charter with Winston Churchill in 1941; stating his intention to run for a fourth term; at Yalta with Churchill and Stalin; scenes of the Roosevelt Family; and F.D.R. in the White House and fishing in 1929. (10 minutes)

United News, Release 211 (1946): Latest News in Aviation World

United News

This World War II-era newsreel includes the following segments: 1. Paratroopers jump at West Point graduation. 2. Tenants are rescued from the burning LaSalle Hotel in Chicago. 3. Chiang Kai-shek decorates the tomb of Sun Yat-sen as the capital is returned from Chungking. 4. Fiftieth anniversary of the automobile industry. 5. The 82nd Airborne Division is honored, celebrating D-Day. 6. General Doolittle and Admiral Nimitz at Academy graduations. (9 minutes)

United News, Release 28A (1945): Speed Plans for San Francisco Security Meeting

United News

This World War II-era newsreel includes the following segments: 1. preparations for the World Security Conference in Chicago. 2. Attacking the Kerama Islands; Admiral Turner and General Buckner direct operations; troop-carrying barges swarm ashore and the Keramas are won; opening the offensive against Okinawa with approximately 100,000 troops. 3. In Washington, D.C., three eminent spokesmen for labor and business meet to sign an agreement to promote cooperative postwar industrial relations in the U.S. 4. To speed the advance of Allied forces in Europe, a large-scale airborne assault is initiated. (10 minutes)

Prelinger Archives: World at War (Part I) (1942)

Prelinger Archives

In part 1 of 2, facts speak for themselves in this Prelinger Archives film--"a pictorial record of a decade of war that led to the attack on Pearl Harbor and the Western Hemisphere." Beginning with the destruction of the U.S. naval base on Oahu and President Roosevelt's denunciation of Japan, the motion picture flashes back to Japan's invasion of Manchuria; Italy's invasion of Ethiopia; the Anschluss; the Spanish Civil War, a proving ground for fascist forces; the annexation of the Sudetenland and occupation of Czechoslovakia; the blitz against Poland; and Germany's invasion of Denmark and Norway, followed by Holland and Belgium. "Nothing has been staged. Every scene in this record is authentic." U.S. Office of War Information. (26 minutes)

The Good Soldier

Journeyman Pictures

“War is about one thing only: it’s about killing. You either learn to kill somebody else or you get killed or wounded yourself.” This film examines how soldiers grapple simultaneously with their duty and their own humanity as it tracks the perilous psychological journeys of four decorated combat veterans of World War II, the Vietnam War, and the Iraq War. A combination of frank interviews and battlefield footage, The Good Soldier addresses the initial reluctance to kill, the act of killing from a distance and hand-to-hand, incidents of combat zone atrocities, the experience of getting wounded, mixed feelings of relief and alienation upon returning stateside, post-tour substance abuse and mental trauma, efforts at closure, and involvement with veterans-for-peace movements. A sobering statement both about and against war. Contains graphic military-related violence and instances of harsh language. (54 minutes)

Eastern Europe: 1939-1953

Gaumont

The events leading up to World War II had a devastating political and economic effect on Eastern Europe, as did the rise of Stalin and the thirst for empire of the Soviet Union. This program traces how both Hitler's and Stalin's quests for power left this vulnerable area of the world permanently destabilized. Topics include the invasion of Poland by Germany; intrigues and internal politics of the Balkan States; declaration of Croatian independence; the war between Russia and Germany; the Warsaw Ghetto; Marshal Tito and the Anti-Fascist Liberation Council; the battle for Stalingrad; American intervention; the Slavic resistance movement; the Yalta Conference; the Potsdam Conference; the Communist takeover; Tito's break with Moscow; and closing of the Iron Curtain. (59 minutes)

Remember the Maine: The Roots of the Spanish-American War

Café Productions

"The U.S.S. Maine Blown Up in Havana Harbor-268 Men Lost" shouted the headlines of the day. Using archival footage, newspaper excerpts, and historical documents, this program traces the roots of the Spanish-American War to Spain's quest to preserve its flagging empire, American imperialism, and the genuine desire on the part of Cubans to shake off the yoke of Spanish domination. It closely examines the role of Cuba's poet/patriot Jose Marti, exposes American expansionist policies that contributed to our decision to enter the war, and reveals Spanish attempts to thwart open conflict. (50 minutes)

El Cantar de Mio Cid

Ente Público Radiotelevisión

El Cid is unique among the world's great epics because it was composed so close to the actual historical events (a mere 40 years after the death of Rodrigo Diaz de Vivar, el Cid himself) that we can distinguish between man and legend. Meticulous attention to historical detail, spectacular cinematic production values, and the swashbuckling plot itself make this medieval epic superbly entertaining as well as educational. An RTVE Production. (Spanish with English subtitles, 60 minutes)

The Evolution of Chile: Prosperity for Some

University of Notre Dame

In just 25 years, Chile has gone from a Marxist state to a dictatorship to a democracy. The transition has strengthened Chile's economy, but not all Chilean citizens have shared in the prosperity. In fact, the divisions between rich and poor have widened, causing critics to question whether democratic capitalism is the right solution. As the scenario unfolds, so do the moral issues surrounding the economic path Chile has chosen. Using Chile as a case study, this program examines these issues, and the difficulties experienced by other Third World nations also riding the tidal wave of post-Cold War economic reforms. (29 minutes)

How a Bill Becomes a Law

Cambridge Educational

This program deciphers the legislative process by explaining how an idea metamorphoses into a law. In interviews, prominent legislators and lobbyists explain how a bill is conceived, moved through the House and Senate or killed in committee, amended, prepared for a vote, and sent to the president or governor for a signature. A Cambridge Educational Production. (27 minutes)

Indonesia at the Crossroads

Australian Broadcasting Corporation

In Indonesia, activists seek to return their country to its traditional moral values after a period of rapid economic growth that resulted in rampant nepotism and corruption under President Suharto. As Muslim students and Hindu priests work to revitalize Indonesia while preserving a democratic ideal, this thought-provoking program provides an in-depth portrait of a country seeking to redefine itself within a historical context of religious tradition and tolerance. (35 minutes)

U.S. Marines Remove Vietnamese Refugees from a Burning Town ca. 1965

The WPA Film Library

The Vietnam War was fought on unfamiliar territory with unusual tactics for the United States. Vietnamese soldiers used guerrilla tactics on the ground to make up for the force they lacked in other power, and the war played out in the jungles and villages of Vietnam's countryside. Relationships between U.S. soldiers and Vietnamese civilians were tense. Vietnamese women, children, and elderly all fought, making it difficult for American soldiers to identify the "enemy. This situation led to incidents of abuse, such as the notorious My Lai massacre, in which American soldiers killed hundreds of unarmed Vietnamese. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

American Women Work in the War Industry During World War II ca. 1943

The WPA Film Library

World War II created new opportunities and demands for women to join the workforce. Although official government propaganda, distributed by the Office of War Information (OWI), praised their role in the war industry. While the number of women in the workforce increased from roughly one quarter in the 1930s to one third in 1944, the prevailing attitude remained that the phenomenon should be temporary - for "the duration" of the war. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Clark Gable Teaches Gunnery in the U.S. Air Force ca. 1943

British Pathe

American film star Clark Gable was one of many celebrities who enlisted in the armed forces during World War II. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Tojo Hideki and Other Japanese War Criminals ca. 1948

British Pathe

Japan's prime minister during World War II, Tojo Hideki, was notorious for the war crimes he perpetrated. After the war he was tried and convicted by the International Military Tribunal of the Far East and sentenced to death. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Benito Mussolini Visits Munich ca. 1937

British Pathe

On October 25, 1936, Germany and Italy announced that they were forming a strategic alliance they termed an "axis". When Italian dictator Benito Mussolini visited Munich in 1937 to confer with German leader Adolf Hitler, he was greeted with fanfare by the German people. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

U.S. Army Nurses Train for Combat Duty During World War II ca. 1943

British Pathe

Although female nurses had been recognized as part of the U.S. Army and Navy in previous conflicts, World War II marked the first time that women were trained to work in combat situations. In addition to working as nurses, women joined the Women's Army Corps (WAC), the navy's Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES), and the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) as a part of the overall war effort. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

IBM and U.S. Navy Officials Celebrate the Success of the Naval Ordinance Research Calculator (NORC) Military Computer ca. 1954

British Pathe

In the immediate aftermath of World War II, U.S. military officials began efforts to use emerging computer technology for military purposes. Due to cold war tensions with the Soviet Union, U.S. officials incorporated these machines into an early warning system that would detect a nuclear weapon launched toward the United States. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Harry S. Truman Declares that UN Troops in Korea Are Intended to Keep Peace ca. 1950

British Pathe

The Korean War threatened to lead to an outright war between the United States and China and the Soviet Union. In announcing that U.S. troops would fight in the war under United Nations (UN) command, President Harry S. Truman declared that his intention was to preserve the post -World War II peace in the region. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Woman Tests Exercise Machines ca. 1950s

The WPA Film Library

During the 1950s, Americans paid increasing attention to physical fitness. In 1957, President Dwight Eisenhower created the President's Council on Youth Fitness, after viewing a study that revealed that more than half of American children could not pass a test of "minimum muscular fitness". Eisenhower was especially perturbed by the study because when the same test was administered to European students, nearly 100% passed. The author of the study attributed European children's superior fitness to their active lifestyles: European children walked and bicycled to school, whereas American children were most often driven to school by their parents. The pursuit of fitness gave rise to more rigorous physical education guidelines, as well as some unusual weight-loss devices, which promised to "shake" excess weight off. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

France Builds Maginot Line as Defense against Germany ca. 1929

British Pathe

Beginning in 1929, under direction of Andre Maginot, the French built a line of defensive fortification at its northeastern border in order to prevent any future German invasion. The series of fortresses was considered impenetrable and included an underground railroad, barracks, and hospitals. Unfortunately, the Line did not cover the Belgian border, and it was from here that the Germans invaded in 1940. Today, a "Maginot Line" refers to projects doomed to failure. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Marines Recruit on a College Campus ca. 1972

The WPA Film Library

For much of the 20th century the U.S. Marine Corps has been known as one of the elite divisions of the U.S. military. The Marine presence in Vietnam lasted from 1965 to 1971. With the abolition of the draft in 1973, the USMC relied exclusively on recruitment for new soldiers. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Jimmy Carter Speaks Out against Iranians Holding Americans Hostage ca. 1979

The WPA Film Library

In January, 1979, the Shah of Iran was overthrown during the Iranian Revolution. In late October the Shah was permitted to enter the United States to receive medical treatment. Less than two weeks later, on November 4, students stormed the U.S. embassy in Iran, taking hostages. Ayatollah Khomeini, who now led Iran, publicly condoned the actions of the students and refused to intervene. The hostage crisis continued for over a year, with 53 hostages released on January 20, 1981, the day of President Reagan's inauguration. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Ronald Reagan Criticizes President Jimmy Carter's Foreign Policies During the 1980 Election ca. 1980

The WPA Film Library

The Iranian hostage situation, during which revolutionaries in Tehran seized the U. S. embassy and held 66 Americans hostage, was one of the most important issues during the 1980 presidential campaign. Despite President Jimmy Carter's pledge to bring the Americans home safely, many of his opponents, including Republican challenger Ronald Reagan, argued that the continued crisis was indicative of a failure of Carter's leadership. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Gary Powers Is Captured by the Soviet Union ca. 1960

British Pathe

On May 1, 1960, Lieutenant Gary Powers was shot down and captured by Soviet troops while on a reconnaissance mission for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The incident had a negative effect on U.S.-Soviet relations. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Delegates Sign the Truce Ending the Korean War ca. 1953

British Pathe

On July 27, 1953, generals from the United States, North Korea, and China signed an armistice that ended the Korean War. The agreement established a demilitarized zone at the 38th parallel and provided for voluntary prisoner repatriation. The armistice was not a formal peace treaty, however, and U.S. troops continue to be stationed in South Korea. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Cubans Prepare for War During the Cuban Missile Crisis ca. 1962

British Pathe

The United States and the Soviet Union reached the brink of war during the Cuban Missile Crisis, during which U.S. warships began a naval blockade of Cuba to prevent the Soviet Union from stationing nuclear missiles in the country. During the blockade, Cuban soldiers and students prepared for a possible U.S. invasion, while the family members of U.S. forces stationed at a base at Guantanamo Bay were evacuated. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Flight Lands at Los Angeles International Airport ca. 1965

British Pathe

Following World War II, the introduction of commercial jet aircraft changed the worldwide aviation industry. For the first time, passengers could travel across the United States or across the Atlantic in a short period of time. This growth led to the establishment of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in 1958. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Muammar al-Qaddafi Seizes Power in Libya ca. 1969

The WPA Film Library

In 1969, while King Idras was away for medical treatment, the Free Unionist Officers Movement - a revolutionary socialist group of military officers led by Muammar al-Qaddafi - staged a bloodless coup. Qaddafi, who patterned himself after Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser, converted Libya to a socialist Islamic state, with an emphasis on Pan Africanism. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Ross Perot Discusses American POWs in Vietnam ca. 1970

The WPA Film Library

In 1969, businessman and philanthropist Ross Perot visited southeast Asia to try and negotiate the release of American (prisoners of war) POWs captured during the Vietnam War. Earlier, he had flown several of the POWs' wives to Paris in hopes of eliciting French assistance and at Christmas of that year, he attempted to deliver gifts and supplies to the POWs. This was unusual because Perot was not acting as an official agent of the United States but rather as a sort of freelance goodwill ambassador. Perot, who believed that Americans should be more active in encouraging the U.S. government to tackle problems such as the POW crisis, sponsored televised "town hall" meetings to raise awareness of the issues of the day. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

U.S. and British Troops Airlift Supplies into Berlin ca. 1948

The WPA Film Library

After World War II, Germany was divided into four zones controlled by France, Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union. Although Berlin fell within the boundaries of the Soviet-occupied territory, it was treated as a special case and shared equally between the four powers. In 1948, tension between the former Allies and the Soviet Union prompted the Soviet Union to initiate a blockade of supplies into Berlin. In response, the United States and Great Britain began airlifting food and supplies into the city. The Berlin airlift lasted 11 months. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

British and U.S. Air Forces Drop Bombs on Dresden ca. 1945

British Pathe

In February 1945, U.S. and British forces attacked the German city of Dresden. The attack on Dresden, which took place near the very end of World War II, was the largest single display of British and American firepower. An estimated 35,000 German civilians were killed as Dresden was destroyed. The firebombing of Dresden remains controversial, as some scholars argue that the targeting of civilians and the amount of force used were unnecessary at this late stage in the war. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Allied Troops Invade Okinawa ca. 1945

British Pathe

On March 14, 1945, Allied forces landed on the island of Okinawa, 350 miles southwest of the Japanese home island of Kyushu. The three-month-long Battle of Okinawa was one of the longest and bloodiest battles of World War II, leaving 12,500 U.S. soldiers and over 100,000 Japanese dead. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

British Children Evacuate Cities at the Beginning of World War II ca. 1939

British Pathe

When Germany invaded Poland in 1939, Europeans realized that Adolf Hitler would not be content until he controlled the entire continent. Britain declared war on Germany soon after. As Britain prepared to enter the war, thousands of British children were evacuated from their city homes to rural areas and overseas, where they would be safe from German attacks. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

U.S. Soldiers Receive Bread Supplies ca. 1918

British Pathe

It was difficult to get supplies to the densely wooded Argonne forest area during World War I. When bread loaves were delivered, U.S. soldiers, known as "doughboys" celebrated. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

French Soldiers Parade through the Arc de Triomphe ca. 1919

British Pathe

World War I formally ended on November 11, 1918. The Treaty of Versailles, which was signed in 1919, established the terms of peace between Germany and the Allies. French soldiers paraded through the Arc de Triomphe in Paris to celebrate victory. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Allies Liberate Paris During World War II ca. 1944

British Pathe

Two months after landing at Normandy, Allied forces marched into Paris, liberating the city from four years of German occupation. Allies paraded through the Arc de Triomphe, with leader of the Free French Charles de Gaulle among them. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Cold War Era Computers Provide U.S. With Early Warning Defense System ca. 1960

The WPA Film Library

Early computers were heralded by the U. S. military as a means of recognizing and preventing a surprise attack on the nation during the cold war. These computers, which were large enough to fill several rooms, collected data from radar stations, aircraft, and patrol ships to give a large snapshot of the nation's airspace. The government also created public service films in order to demonstrate its military capabilities and calm the nation's fears of an attack by the Soviet Union. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Marines Invade Iwo Jima ca. 1945

British Pathe

The tiny island of Iwo Jima, recently renamed Iwo To, served as a strategic air base during World War II. In early 1945, U.S. bombers began making runs over the island in preparation for a landing. The U.S. invasion of Iwo Jima stood as one of the deadliest battles in the Pacific theater of the war, as Japanese soldiers refused to surrender and fought almost literally to the last man. The high casualty rate on Iwo Jima was later seen as an ominous sign of the difficulty of invading mainland Japan, and it contributed to the American decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

General Matthew Ridgway Oversees UN Retreat from Seoul During Korean War ca. 1950

The WPA Film Library

After China entered the Korean War in late 1950, United Nations (UN) forces under U.S. command were forced to make a long southern retreat. Matthew Ridgway, who was promoted to head of the Eighth Army after General Walton H. Walker was killed in an automobile accident, oversaw the retreat from Seoul. Ridgway's forces regained Seoul in March 1951, and President Harry S. Truman announced that he would seek peace negotiations that divided the country at the 38th parallel. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Soviet Ships Withdraw Missiles from Cuba During the Cuban Missile Crisis ca. 1962

The WPA Film Library

In response to the installation of Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba, the United States began a naval blockade of the island in October 1962. The blockade - called a quarantine - was aimed at preventing any additional Soviet weapons from reaching the island. After secret negotiations, the Soviet Union announced that it would withdraw its missiles from Cuba in exchange for an American promise not to invade the island. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

U.S. Planes Drop Napalm Bombs in Vietnam ca. 1967

The WPA Film Library

The Vietnam War presented a new challenge to the U.S. military, which was accustomed to fighting wars on largely defined battlefields. In response to guerilla warfare, U.S. jets began to drop napalm bombs on suspected Viet Cong sites. After everything had been burned away, ground troops would then canvass the area, searching for guerilla fighters, weapons, or tunnel systems. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Douglas MacArthur Surveys the Results of the Inchon Landing ca. 1950

British Pathe

After North Korean forces invaded South Korea on June 25, 1950, the United States and other European countries participated in a "UN Policing Action" in Korea. On September 15, 1950, General Douglas MacArthur decided to make an amphibious assault on the Korean city Inchon. He chose the site because of its proximity to both Seoul and the Kimpo airfield, the only hard-surface runway in Korea. After the successful landing MacArthur secured Seoul and the airfield, sending North Korean forces into retreat across the 38th parallel. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

U.S. Troops Prepare for the Formal Japanese Surrender Aboard the USS Missouri ca. 1945

British Pathe

World War II drew to a close when Japan expressed the desire to surrender on August 10, 1945, following the atomic bombings of the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. President Harry S. Truman announced V-J day on August 14, though the official surrender documents were not signed until September 2, aboard the USS Missouri docked in Tokyo Bay. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Anti-Vietnam War Protestors Picket outside of Luci Johnson's Wedding ca. 1966

The WPA Film Library

President Lyndon B. Johnson's commitment to continued U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War led to large antiwar protests throughout the United States. Protestors even showed up to protest the war at his daughter Luci's 1966 wedding. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Dwight D. Eisenhower Appoints Earl Warren to the Supreme Court ca. 1953

The WPA Film Library

In 1953, President Dwight Eisenhower appointed California governor Earl Warren to the position of Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, following the sudden death of former chief justice Fred Vinson. The Warren Court became one of the most influential courts in American history, presiding over such monumental cases as Brown v. Board of Education (1954), which declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Parisians Celebrate Armistice Day ca. 1918

British Pathe

World War I ended on Armistice Day, November 11, 1918. The long and bitter war had weakened the French economy, and Parisians took to the streets to celebrate its conclusion. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

John F. Kennedy Discusses Vietnam at a Press Conference ca. 1962

British Pathe

At a press conference in 1962, President John F. Kennedy was asked to explain the virtual "press blackout" regarding military operations in South Vietnam. President Kennedy said that secrecy was necessary to keep crucial tactical information out of the hands of the communists. Although he admitted that the United States was providing "assistance" he did not reveal that he had authorized the deployment of 8,000 U.S. troops the previous October. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Mussolini Bust Is Destroyed ca. 1945

British Pathe

The Italian dictator Mussolini aligned himself with Adolf Hitler during World War II in hopes that the German war machine would help him achieve his goal of creating a modern Roman Empire. In the process he deported thousands of Jews to Hitler's concentration camps and brutally annexed Ethiopia. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

The Hindenburg Explodes ca. 1937

British Pathe

While landing in Lakehurst, New Jersey, on May 6, 1937, the German zeppelin Hindenburg burst into flames. A large crowd had gathered to witness the landing of the world's largest rigid airship, which was also seen as a symbol of Nazi propaganda. Investigation determined that atmospheric electricity had ignited flammable hydrogen gas leaking from the airship's balloon. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Allied Soldiers Wage the Meuse-Argonne Offensive ca. 1918

British Pathe

The Meuse-Argonne offensive was the decisive battle of World War I. Commanded by General John J. Pershing, the American Expeditionary Force (AEF) set out in September 1918 to drive German forces out of the Meuse-Argonne region of France. The offensive was the largest undertaken in World War I, with over 1 million soldiers under Pershing's command. After a grueling six weeks, troops broke the German defense, though at a cost of 26,000 AEF soldiers killed and 95,000 wounded. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Signs the Selective Training and Service Act ca. 1940

British Pathe

In 1940 President Roosevelt signed the first ever military conscription bill during peacetime, requiring men 18 to 35 to register for draft. Although the United States had not yet entered World War II, the threat of the Axis powers loomed across the Atlantic Ocean. After the U.S. entry into the war, the age restriction was expanded to include men 18 to 65. In total, more than 13 million men were enlisted through the Act. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

Anti-Vietnam War Activists March on the Pentagon ca. 1967

British Pathe

In the late 1960s student anti-war groups protested against the U.S.'s continued military presence in Vietnam, the conflict's high death toll, and atrocities committed by American troops against Vietnamese civilians caught in the fighting. Copyright The WPA Film Library.

In the Name of God: Holy Word, Holy War

3BM Television

By detailing key incidents ranging from the Dawson's Field hijackings to the Luxor massacre, this program charts the ever-widening holy war that is pitting Islamists against Zionists and the Arab world against the West. The Kach Party's Noam Federman; Bassam abu Sharif, founder of the Palestine Democratic Party; Abdel Aziz Rantisi and Sheikh Ahmad Yassin, operational and spiritual leaders of Hamas; Sheikh Jamal Khatab and Sheikh Fadlallah, spiritual leaders of Lebanese al Qaeda and Hezbollah; former Jewish Underground leader Yehuda Etzion; and former PFLP hijacker Leila Khaled are featured, as are former prime minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu and Conor Gearty, expert in human rights law. (47 minutes)

The Road to War: American Decision-Making During the Gulf Crisis

AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE

This unprecedented historical retrospective provides an inside look at how the U.S. responded to the Gulf crisis, how America’s leaders evaluated data and options, how decisions were made and policies implemented, and how the crisis was managed on a day-to-day basis—in short, the steps that led to war and thence to the cease-fire. The participants include James Baker, Dick Cheney, Colin Powell, and most of the other members of President Bush’s "war cabinet" as well as the sub-cabinet officials who played central roles in the political, diplomatic, and military aspects of the war. We know of no comparable instance in which so many top-level officials have come together to discuss openly an event of such historic proportions. What this program presents is the firsthand recollections, very shortly after the events took place, of the decision-makers responsible for taking the U.S. into and out of war. Produced under the auspices of the American Enterprise Institute.

World War II

Reuters Television

This program covers World War II from the invasion of Poland, soon after dawn on September 1, 1939, to the Nuremberg war trials and the hanging of the convicted Nazi war criminals. It covers the rise of Hitler and Mussolini, the beginning of the war, the Battle of Britain with the Blitz at its height, the occupation of Paris and the evacuation of Dunkirk, the attack on Pearl Harbor, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, the campaigns in North Africa and Sicily, the Warsaw Ghetto uprising, D-Day, the liberation of Paris, the Battle of the Bulge, the Yalta Conference, the Dresden air raids, the liberation of the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp, the Battle of Berlin, the surrender of the Germans, the war in the Pacific, the dropping of the A-bomb on Hiroshima, and the surrender of the Japanese. (33 minutes, b&w/color)

Douglas MacArthur, from The WPA Film Library Speeches Collection

The WPA Film Library

This collection of significant speeches given by Douglas MacArthur spans a decade that ranges from the mid-’40s to the mid-’50s.

The Big Picture: Pictorial Report No. 27

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This episode of the U.S. Army covers three separate stories that are interrelated in a pictorial report format. The first deals with medicine, the second with experimentation, and the third with construction. But all are concerned with some of the Army’s peacetime roles. With footage provided by the National Archives and Records Administration, this fascinating documentary introduces viewers to the role of Army medicine in relation to civilian disaster; explores the Army’s Corps of Engineers and the work it does in minimizing the effects of disasters before they occur; and depicts scores of military assignments, both in war and peace. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: This Is the Infantry

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

What is an Infantryman? For two centuries he has been in the bulwark of our country's defense. From the hardships at Valley Forge, to the 38th Parallel of Korea, the Infantryman has been a fighter and a man of courage unafraid to meet the enemy head-on in hand-to-hand combat. The Infantryman is trained to be resourceful, aggressive, and self-reliant at the Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. Featuring footage from the National Archives and Records Administration, this classic episode produced by the U.S. Army provides viewers with a fascinating look at the making of an Infantryman as he learns what it takes to earn the right to that proud battle cry--I am the Infantry! Follow me! (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: DEW Line

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series presents the story of the DEW line, the remote radar stations of the Distant Early Warning System and latest link in the gigantic network of sight and sound. Featuring footage provided by the National Archives and Records Administration, this documentary was filmed by two camera crews whose members followed the East and West Coast Task Forces through their special DEW Line training at Fort Eustis; departure in convoy from Hampton Roads, VA., and Seattle, WA., rigors of the trip through the Arctic ice pack; preparations for discharge; and the difficult and diversified conditions encountered at the actual unloading sites. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: Defense of Japan

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This episode in the Big Picture series features the departure of American troops from the Far East as a major change in U.S. Cold War strategy. In the post-war years, American instructors helped train Japanese police reserves. Featuring footage provided by the National Archives and Records Administration, this documentary details how the U.S. guided a new Japanese military organization to undertake national defense responsibilities. By helping Japan defend itself, the West helped address the Soviet threats in the Pacific.

The Big Picture: The Lodge Act Soldier

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This film documentary, produced by the U.S. Army for The Big Picture series, and filmed almost entirely on the sound stages of the Signal Corps Pictorial Center in Long Island City, brings to light the many soldiers who escaped Communism to enter the free world. In this video, viewers look on as the same men who once trained in armies behind the Iron Curtain show American soldiers what life in a Communist army is like. Featuring footage provided by the National Archives and Records Administration, this documentary includes Communist training and newsreel films as well as first-hand accounts by Lodge Act soldiers. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: Strategic Army Corps (STRAC) Fourth

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This film presentation of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture series follows the Famous Fourth Infantry Division (also known as the "Ivy" Division) in World War II as it landed in Normandy and fought its way across Europe. Featuring footage provided by the National Archives and Records Administration, this documentary shows how the Fourth Division assumed a major share in the responsibility of maintaining the peace and security of the free world under the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The film ends with a visual analysis of STRAC Fourth’s present strength and vital purpose—to preserve the peace anywhere and at any time. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: Far East Military Assistance Advisory Groups (MAAGs)

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This classic episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture series covers eight different countries in the Far East, including Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, the Philippines, Taiwan, Korea, and Japan. Featuring footage provided by the National Archives and Records Administration, this documentary presents the story of how these countries and the United States have been strengthened by the work of the U.S. Military Assistance Advisory Groups stationed there. The military aid to these eight nations is one of the most effective defenses the free world has against Communist aggression. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: The Aggressor

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series captures the “Aggressors,” a giant training aid of the United States Army that formed after World War II at Fort Riley, Kansas. The documentary examines the threefold mission of the Aggressor Army: to provide a realistic enemy for maneuver training, to provide realistic situations for intelligence training, and to make sure all American soldiers are aware that any future enemy will look and act differently from what they are accustomed to. Featuring footage provided by the National Archives Records and Administration, this short documentary shows the liberation of the United States to date by the Aggressor Army, Member Circle Trigon Party. (30 minutes)

The Big Picture: Ranger Ready

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series depicts the story of the U.S. Army Rangers, the proud corps of elite combat-ready troops who undergo the most rugged training in the Army. This interesting corps has a history that dates back almost 200 years, when the original thirteen colonies were under British rule and includes serving with George Washington’s Colonial troops and being active in Europe and the Pacific during World War II. This video from the National Archives and Records Administration takes viewers from the mountains of North Georgia to the swamps of Florida to show the Rangers’ training as it is practiced today.

The Big Picture: World Trouble Spots

Nat'l Archives & Records Administration

This episode of the U.S. Army’s The Big Picture television series provides a grim kaleidoscope of world trouble spots: the Berlin Wall, Laos, South Vietnam, and Cuba. Scenes of this video from the National Archives and Records Administration document Red China as it crushed a revolt in Tibet, then attacked a militarily weak India; Cuban freedom fighters as they attempted to retake their homeland and met disaster; Russian missiles discovered in Cuba; and President John Kennedy's ultimatum to Nikita Khruschev. (30 minutes)