Allison McNearney Archives ‑ History.com

Americans Celebrated for Two Days After the End of WWII: Watch Now

As the summer rolled into August in 1945, the Pacific theater of World War II was still trudging along with slow but deadly steam. Germany had surrendered several months earlier, and the Allies were ready for the devastating conflict to come to an end. But despite the rest of the world turning towards peace, the […]

Watch Nixon Vow to ‘Bring Us Together Again’ at 1968 Republican Convention

When presidential candidate and former Vice President Richard Nixon arrived in Miami Beach for the 1968 Republican convention, he was given a hero’s welcome. Before he had even clinched the nomination, he was greeted at the airport by an estimated 700‑person crowd, 2,000 balloons were released when he arrived at the convention headquarters and he […]

Watch GM Roll Out a Gold‑Plated Chevy Bel Air to Mark 50 Millionth Car

History Flashback takes a look at historical “found footage” of all kinds—newsreels, instructional films, even cartoons—to give us a glimpse into how much things have changed, and how much has remained the same. When you’re the premier car manufacturer in a country defined by its car culture, the occasion of rolling your 50 millionth car off […]

The Scopes ‘Monkey’ Trial Pitted Science Against Religion: Watch Rare Footage

History Flashback takes a look at historical “found footage” of all kinds—newsreels, instructional films, even cartoons—to give us a glimpse into how much things have changed, and how much has remained the same. In the scorching summer heat of small‑town Dayton, TN, in July of 1925, crowds of reporters and local residents gathered at the courthouse […]

U.S. Propaganda Film Shows ‘Normal’ Life in WWII Japanese Internment Camps

History Flashback takes a look at historical “found footage” of all kinds—newsreels, instructional films, even cartoons—to give us a glimpse into how much things have changed, and how much has remained the same. On February 19, 1942, just over two months after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, President Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066. With one flourish […]

Watch RFK’s Speech from his 1964 Senate Campaign

History Flashback takes a look at historical “found footage” of all kinds—newsreels, instructional films, even cartoons—to give us a glimpse into how much things have changed, and how much has remained the same. On August 25, 1964, Robert F. Kennedy stood on the steps of Gracie Mansion, the New York City mayoral residence, and announced his […]

Watch the Government Test Gas Masks on Children During the Cold War

History Flashback takes a look at historical “found footage” of all kinds—newsreels, instructional films, even cartoons—to give us a glimpse into how much things have changed, and how much has remained the same. Since chemical warfare exploded on the scene with lethal and terrifying force at the Second Battle of Ypres during WWI, nations have been […]

The Complicated History of Cannabis in the US

History Flashback takes a look at historical “found footage” of all kinds—newsreels, instructional films, even cartoons—to give us a glimpse into how much things have changed, and how much has remained the same. No matter the decade, one thing never changes: parents will always be worried about the effect peer pressure has on their children. In the […]

This WWII Cartoon Taught Soldiers How to Avoid Certain Death

History Flashback takes a look at historical “found footage” of all kinds—newsreels, instructional films, even cartoons—to give us a glimpse into how much things have changed, and how much has remained the same. In 1943, while the United States was engaged in World War II, the army brass was pulling out all of the stops to […]

Easter During WWII Featured ‘Hitler Eggs’ With Moustaches

Despite the ongoing global conflict, Americans still took the time to celebrate Easter in 1941.

Wartime Propaganda Helped Recruit the ‘Hidden Army’ of Women to Defeat Hitler

Dozens of government‑funded films were created, and their impact went well beyond recruiting soldiers to the frontlines.

1950s Parents Had No Idea What Their Kids Wanted to Do at Parties

History Flashback takes a look at historical “found footage” of all kinds—newsreels, instructional films, even cartoons—to give us a glimpse into how much things have changed, and how much has remained the same. In the 50s, utterly well‑behaved U.S. teens threw perfectly planned and rule‑bound game nights. Or so the adults of the era would have […]