Get new blog posts sent directly to your email inbox!

Today in World War II History

Read Today's Article

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

Wednesday, November 5, 2025 by Sarah Sundin
Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1938 (US National Archives); Wendell Willkie, 1940 (Library of Congress: cph.3a38684)

Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1938 (US National Archives); Wendell Willkie, 1940 (Library of Congress: cph.3a38684)

85 Years Ago—Nov. 5, 1940: Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected for a third term as US president, defeating Republican candidate Wendell Willkie 27 million votes to 22 million in the closest vote in 25 years.

German pocket battleship Admiral Scheer raids British convoy HX-84 off Greenland, sinking armed merchant cruiser Jervis Bay and 6 merchant ships.

Nîmes Committee is established under American Donald Lowrie of the YMCA: 25 French & international welfare organizations of many faiths organize aid to French internment camps holding foreigners.

80 Years Ago—Nov. 5, 1945: Muslims begin a pogrom against Jews in Libya (under British Military Administration); in three days, 140 Jews will be killed and synagogues & homes will be looted and destroyed.

Share

Comments are closed.

“Another riveting World War II romance.”
—Publishers Weekly review for Mists over the Channel Islands
NOW AVAILABLE!

A Free Gift for You

Make It Do - The US Home Front in World War II

When you subscribe to my monthly enewsletter, you’ll also receive “Make It Do – The US Home Front in World War II,” a collection of my popular blog posts. As a subscriber, you’ll also be the first to learn about my upcoming novels.