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Today in World War II History

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Today in World War II History—August 21, 1940 & 1945

Thursday, August 21, 2025 by Sarah Sundin
Leon Trotsky and American admirers in Mexico, 5 April 1940 (US National Archives: 283642)

Leon Trotsky and American admirers in Mexico, 5 April 1940 (US National Archives: 283642)

85 Years Ago—Aug. 21, 1940: In Mexico City, Leon Trotsky, former Soviet leader and a critic of Stalin, dies from an assassination attack by Soviet NKVD agent Ramón Mercader the day before.

80 Years Ago—Aug. 21, 1945: President Truman ends Lend-Lease program.

Last naval surface action of WWII: Japanese junk attacks 2 Chinese junks with US & Chinese crews; 45 Japanese & 4 Chinese are killed.

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