General Patton's Homecoming
On June 9, 1945, Los Angeles honored Gen. George S. Patton with a homecoming parade upon his return from Europe after Germany’s surrender. In an address at the City Hall ceremonies, Gen. Patton, in his trademark colorful language, describes the destruction wrought by the Eighth Air Force and Third Army.
Related Speeches & Audio (10)
-
General Patton's Homecoming
General Patton's HomecomingAudio Clip (0:35)
Audio Clip (0:35)
On June 9, 1945, Los Angeles honored Gen. George S. Patton with a homecoming parade upon his return from Europe after Germany’s surrender. In an address at the City Hall ceremonies, Gen. Patton, in his trademark colorful language, describes the destruction wrought by the Eighth Air Force and Third Army.
-
War Report on B-29 Use
War Report on B-29 UseAudio Clip (2:36)
Audio Clip (2:36)
Brig. Gen. H.S. Hansell delivers a report in June 1944 on American B-29 bomber strikes against Germany and Japan.
-
Douglas MacArthur Receives the Japanese Surrender
Douglas MacArthur Receives the Japanese SurrenderAudio Clip (1:21)
Audio Clip (1:21)
On September 2, 1945, aboard the U.S.S. Missouri in Tokyo Bay, World War II comes to a close when Japanese officials sign the unconditional surrender. Gen. Douglas MacArthur presides over the signing and delivers a short speech on the momentous occasion.
-
Schwarzkopf on Liberation of Kuwait
Schwarzkopf on Liberation of KuwaitAudio Clip (0:58)
Audio Clip (0:58)
Once President George H.W. Bush declares that "Kuwait is liberated" and Iraq's army defeated, Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf holds a press conference on February 27, 1991, and expresses his admiration for the U.S. troops.
-
Allies Liberate Bastogne
Allies Liberate BastogneAudio Clip (1:27)
Audio Clip (1:27)
In a broadcast on December 29, 1944, Gen. Anthony C. McAuliffe recounts the 101st Airborne’s victory against overwhelming odds at Bastogne, Belgium.
-
U.S. Goals in World War II
U.S. Goals in World War IIAudio Clip (0:31)
Audio Clip (0:31)
In his speech delivered July 23, 1942, Secretary of State Cordell Hull explains the aims of the United States in World War II.
-
Reagan Speaks on 40th Anniversary of D-Day
Reagan Speaks on 40th Anniversary of D-DayAudio Clip (0:41)
Audio Clip (0:41)
On June 6, 1984, in Normandy, France, President Ronald Reagan honors the heroes of D-Day, a pivotal moment during World War II.
-
North Vietnam Disregards Ceasefire Agreement
North Vietnam Disregards Ceasefire AgreementAudio Clip (4:44)
Audio Clip (4:44)
In an October 12, 1973, interview, Col. Le Gran, U.S. deputy director of intelligence, discusses the discovery that North Vietnam installed SA-2 missiles in the southern city of Khe Sanh shortly after a ceasefire agreement prohibiting military incursion in South Vietnam was signed on January 27 of that year.
-
John F. Kennedy on Coup in South Vietnam
John F. Kennedy on Coup in South VietnamAudio Clip (6:06)
Audio Clip (6:06)
On October 29, 1963, President John F. Kennedy meets with the National Security Council to discuss whether to support the overthrow of South Vietnam's President Ngo Dinh Diem. During the secretly recorded conversation, Secretary of State Dean Rusk and the president craft a detailed plan involving Henry Cabot Lodge, ambassador to South Vietnam, Gen. Paul D. Harkins and the general of the South Vietnamese military, hoping to avoid setting off a civil war in the country.
-
Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1941 Labor Day Speech
Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1941 Labor Day SpeechAudio Clip (1:37)
Audio Clip (1:37)
In his Labor Day radio broadcast in 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt reminds his fellow citizens of the need to devote America’s industrial effort to building weaponry in order to "crush Hitler and his Nazi forces."
Related Videos (10)
-
Eisenhower Leads America
Eisenhower Leads AmericaVideo Clip (3:21)
Video Clip (3:21)
This five-star general and 34th U.S. president launched the Space Race and created the federal interstate highway system.
-
Douglas MacArthur
Douglas MacArthurVideo Clip (3:27)
Video Clip (3:27)
The general gains fame in World War II, then infamy when he is removed from his command in the Korean War.
-
761st Enters Combat
761st Enters CombatVideo Clip (2:16)
Video Clip (2:16)
Two Months after D-Day the first all black panther tank battalion was ordered to the front lines.
-
Women in the Cockpit
Women in the CockpitVideo Clip (3:52)
Video Clip (3:52)
Dawn Letson befriended a World War II veteran who was a member of the Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) program, and shares her films from WASP training camp.
-
761st Activated
761st ActivatedVideo Clip (2:42)
Video Clip (2:42)
The 761st Panther Tank division was called to duty in 1962.
-
David Gilmore
David GilmoreVideo Clip (2:54)
Video Clip (2:54)
WWII veteran David Gilmore recalls his struggles during combat and the long road home.
-
After the Emancipation
After the EmancipationVideo Clip (3:30)
Video Clip (3:30)
Four million slaves were formally freed when the Emancipation Proclamation took effect on January 1, 1863, but with the Civil War still raging, their future was far from certain.
-
Amphibious Assaults of World War II
Amphibious Assaults of World War IIVideo Clip (2:16)
Video Clip (2:16)
The landing vehicle tank was essential to the amphibious assaults on D-Day and throughout the Pacific theater.
-
Allied Invasion of Italy
Allied Invasion of ItalyVideo Clip (3:37)
Video Clip (3:37)
In September, 1943, Italy surrendered unconditionally to the Allies, while German forces quickly occupied north and central Italy. Aided by the Germans, Mussolini escaped from prison and established a puppet republic in northern Italy. Meanwhile, the new Italian government declared war on Germany, and Italy was recognized by the Allies as a cobelligerent. The Allied Italian campaign was a slow, grueling, and costly struggle. The fall of Rome in July, 1944 was followed by a stalemate. In April, 1945, partisans captured and summarily executed Mussolini. In May, 1945, the Germans surrendered.
-
Flying in the South Pacific
Flying in the South PacificVideo Clip (3:31)
Video Clip (3:31)
Fred Linden's father was a PBY naval aviator during World War II and left behind two reels of film documenting his service in the South Pacific.
Related Photo Galleries (7)
-
Controversial Generals
Controversial Generals(9 Photos)
9 Photos
Throughout American history, a number of controversial generals have clashed with presidents and other officials.
-
Vietnam War: Leaders
Vietnam War: Leaders(15 Photos)
15 Photos
View images of the Presidents, politicians, and military leaders who influenced American involvement in the Vietnam War.
-
Voices of D-Day
Voices of D-Day(9 Photos)
9 Photos
Our most powerful and genuine accounts of D-Day come from the veterans who live through this momentous piece of history.
-
Civil War: Gettysburg
Civil War: Gettysburg(12 Photos)
12 Photos
Explore the historic Civil War battle of Gettysburg through photographs of the battlefield, the soldiers, and the memorials.
-
Allied Military Leaders
Allied Military Leaders(11 Photos)
11 Photos
View photos of Allied military leaders
-
Axis Military Leaders
Axis Military Leaders(12 Photos)
12 Photos
View images of Axis military leaders from World War II.
-
Mexico's War of Independence
Mexico's War of Independence(8 Photos)
8 Photos
September 2010 marks the 200th anniversary of Mexico's War of Independence from Spanish rule, which was launched by Mexican priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla.
Most Popular Videos on History.com
-
D-Day Deception
(3:24)
Newest Videos on History.com
-
Vietnam in HD Preview
(2:00)
-
Two For the Road
(1:48)
-
HISTORY says Thanks
(2:47)
Shop HISTORY
-
Civil War: Rebellion to Reconstruction DVD Set
Experience the turbulent events that ignited the bloodiest, most divisive war this country has known.
$53.99
Buy Now -
The American Civil War DVD Set
Experience for yourself the historical and personal impact of the Civil War.
$81.99
Buy Now -
WWII in HD DVD Set
The only people to see the war like this were the ones who lived it. Until now… Own this best-selling series today!
$17.77
Buy Now
Email Updates
Keep up with the latest History shows, online features, special offers and more.
Sign up
