#OTD20 | September 8, 1945

Korea Partitioned

#OTD20 September 8, 1945: American troops arrive in Korea, initiating the division of the peninsula along the 38th parallel.

This historic event paves the way for two ideologically distinct regimes—a socialist state in the North and a liberal state in the South. Under this divided occupation, Korea rapidly evolves, leading to a stark contrast in ideologies. The tension between North and South Korea eventually escalates into the devastating Korean War beginning in June 1950.

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The genesis of the Korean War is chronicled in Red Star Rising, chapter two of our curriculum-aligned film, COLD WAR.

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Additional Resources

Access more information from Media Rich Learning and curated off-site sources.

MRL

Read the Media Rich Learning blog post Hot Front in the Cold War.

NK NEWS

Read the blog post The U.S. and the 1945 Division of Korea

#OTD20

Step back in time to experience the significant events that happened on this day in the 20th century.

September 15, 1916: First Use of Tanks in Combat

#OTD20 — September 15, 1916: History is made as military tanks roll into combat for the first time during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, part of the Somme Offensive.

September 13, 1948: Margaret Chase Smith Elected to Senate

#OTD20 — September 10, 1948: Margaret Chase Smith is elected to the U.S. making her the first woman to serve in both chambers of Congress.

September 12, 1962: JFK Pledges “We Go to the Moon…”

#OTD20 — September 12, 1962: JFK delivers his “We Go to the Moon” address at Rice University, challenging the nation to land a man on the moon within the decade.

September 11, 1973: Coup Topples Government in Chile

#OTD20 — September 11, 1973: a military coup topples the democratically-elected government in Chile.

September 9, 1916. Woodrow Wilson Urges Patience on Women’s Suffrage

#OTD20 — September 9, 1916: President Woodrow Wilson speaks in Atlantic City, urging patience on the issue of women’s suffrage.

September 8, 1945. Korea Partitioned at 38th Parallel

#OTD20 — September 8, 1945: American troops arrive in Korea, initiating the division of the peninsula along the 38th parallel.

September 8, 1945: Huey “The Kingfish” Long Shot

#OTD20 — September 10, 1935: Senator Huey Long, a prominent figure during the Depression-era politics, is shot while at the Louisiana state capital in Baton Rouge.

September 7, 1940. Luftwaffe attacks. London Blitz Begins.

#OTD20 — September 7, 1940: The Blitz of London begins as the German Luftwaffe launches a devastating attack on the city. By day’s end, one thousand Londoners are dead.

Introducing #OTD20: Your Daily Dose of History

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