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Today in World War II History

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Today in World War II History—August 24, 1940 & 1945

Sunday, August 24, 2025 by Sarah Sundin
German Heinkel He 111 bombers over the English Channel, 1940 (German Federal Archive, Bild 141-0678)

German Heinkel He 111 bombers over the English Channel, 1940 (German Federal Archive, Bild 141-0678)

85 Years Ago—Aug. 24, 1940: Third phase of Battle of Britain begins: Luftwaffe begins intense bombing of RAF fields, supplies, and plants. Luftwaffe mistakenly drops bombs over London.

Edward R. Murrow and eight other CBS, BBC & CBC reporters broadcast “London after Dark” live from multiple locations throughout the city as air raid begins.

USS Constitution is named the symbolic flagship of the US Fleet at Boston, MA. (For pictures of USS Constitution from my research trip to Boston, please see “Through Waters Deep Tour of Boston.”)

Medical journal Lancet publishes the first study by Howard Florey and Ernest Chain about penicillin.

Button from the 1925 drive to raise funds to restore the USS Constitution (Photo: Sarah Sundin)

Button from the 1925 drive to raise funds to restore the USS Constitution (Photo: Sarah Sundin)

80 Years Ago—Aug. 24, 1945: British Prime Minister Clement Attlee complains about end of US Lend-Lease program.

Australia disbands the Volunteer Defence Corps (home defense).

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