The Day That The Second World War Ended | America's War Years: 1945

On April 30th 1945 and with Soviet forces closing in, Adolf Hitler committed suicide. Soon after Germany surrendered, and the only Axis power left standing was the Japanese Empire. Rather than risk a land invasion that could cost millions of lives, the US unleashed a never before seen power on Hiroshima and Nagasaki that brought the bloodiest war in history to an end. War Stories is your one stop shop for all things military history. From Waterloo to Verdun, we'll be bringing you only the best documentaries and stories from history's most engaging and dramatic conflicts. You can find more from us on

After a year of Allied success - including the Normandy landings on D-Day - Hitler was getting desperate. With France liberated and the allies bearing down on Germany, the Fuhrer launched a final all out counter offensive. This developed into the Battle of the Bulge; Hitlers final attempt to end the war on the western front. War Stories is your one stop shop for all things military history. From Waterloo to Verdun, we'll be bringing you only the best documentaries and stories from history's most engaging and dramatic conflicts. You can find more from us on

7 December 1941, the day Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. The attack brought America into the Second World War and ultimately doomed Japan and the other Axis powers. But why did Japan feel the attack was necessary? War Stories is your one stop shop for all things military history. From Waterloo to Verdun, we'll be bringing you only the best documentaries and stories from history's most engaging and dramatic conflicts. You can find more from us on

In 1941, before Pearl Harbor was attacked, America was providing war materials to its democracies, and its young men were answering the call to service. Throughout America, "preparedness" was the watchword as the conflict that ignited in 1939 swept through Europe, Africa, and Asia, and a war with Japan loomed closer than ever.

After 3 months of battle, America surrendered Bataan to the Japanese. What followed was the forcible transfer of 60,000-80,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war. The horrific treatment of the prisoners led to the transfer being dubbed the Bataan Death March. War Stories is your one stop shop for all things military history. From Waterloo to Verdun, we'll be bringing you only the best documentaries and stories from history's most engaging and dramatic conflicts. You can find more from us on

The Civil War’s legacy still shapes America - discover the battles, choices, and lasting questions that defined freedom, democracy, and a nation’s future. Step into the pivotal moments of the Civil War’s Western Theater, from the bloody assault at Cheatham Hill to Sherman’s relentless march to the sea. This video uncovers the dramatic battles for Atlanta, the political stakes of Lincoln’s re-election against George McClellan, and the deep sacrifices made by Union and Confederate soldiers. Explore the harrowing realities faced by men and women—both Black and White—whose courage and suffering forged the path to emancipation, the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, and the ongoing struggle for civil rights. We dive into the tactics of generals like Sherman, Hood, and Grant, the critical role of Atlanta’s railroads, and the heartbreaking aftermath of battles like Kennesaw Mountain and Franklin. Hear firsthand accounts, examine the impact of the Emancipation Proclamation, and see how postwar Reconstruction both advanced and challenged the promise of equality. Ultimately, this story reveals how the Civil War tested and transformed American democracy, and why its unresolved questions about freedom