World War II was a global war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. The war involved the many of the world's countries. Two opposing military alliances were formed: the Allies and the Axis.
While Japan was already at war with China in 1937, the Second World War began on September 1, 1939 when Nazi Germany invaded Poland. Germany conquered much of Europe, eventually forming the Axis alliance with Italy and Japan. Approximately six million European Jews were killed by Adolf Hitler's Nazi Germany and this event would become known as the Holocaust.
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The Tuskegee Airmen were African-American pilots during WWII. Before the war, the Army thought African-Americans could only be used as laborers. African-Americans faced all sorts of prejudice and...
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At the beginning of the war, South Carolinians prepared to fight in either Europe, or the Pacific. For many, their first taste of combat would be in North Africa. In this video segment, S.C. veterans...
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Paratroop transport planes are lined up at Shaw Field, near Sumter, around 1940. Courtesy of the Sumter County Museum Archives.
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A convertible stops at a gas station in Rock Hill in 1941 to "fill 'er up." By the end of the year, World War II gasoline rationing severely restricted automobile pleasure travel. Courtesy of the...
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“M” is for McNair, Robert Evander [1923-2007]. Attorney, legislator, governor. During World War II, McNair served 23 months in the Pacific theater. After the war, he graduated from USC and moved to...
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"N" is for National Guard. The South Carolina National Guard evolved out of the state’s militia. In 1905 the organized militia was renamed the South Carolina National Guard and in 1916 all state...
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"M" is for Medal of Honor Recipients. Approved by Congress in 1862, the Medal of Honor is America's highest award for military valor. The first native son to receive the award was Ernest A. Garlington...
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For many rural counties, the only exposure to the infamous Nazis was from newspapers, newsreels, and other war time propaganda which portrayed these soldiers as arrogant, deceitful, and even evil...
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With an understanding of the importance of the D-Day invasion to the people of France, and to the world in helping end the tyranny of fascism and the oppression of Hitler’s Nazi regime, answer the...
