Today in World War II History—July 5, 1940 & 1945

US Gen. Douglas MacArthur and Australian Prime Minister John Curtin meet at Australian Parliament House, 26 March 1942 (Australian government photo NAA A1200, L36449, public domain)

80 Years Ago—July 5, 1940: Vichy France breaks relations with the United Kingdom.

In occupied France, Germans ban signs of national identity: the Tricolor flag, the “Marseillaise,” and berets.

Due to Japanese pressure on French Indochina, US President Franklin Roosevelt bans export to Japan of strategic minerals and chemicals, aircraft engines and parts, and machine tools.

Labour Party election poster, 1945

75 Years Ago—July 5, 1945: Gen. Douglas MacArthur proclaims the end of the campaign in the Philippines.

Australian Prime Minister John Curtin dies at age 60 of heart disease.

British parliamentary elections held, won by the Labour Party.