Today in World War II History—October 20, 1939 & 1944

MacArthur wading ashore at Leyte, Philippine Islands, 20 October 1944 (US National Archives)

75 Years Ago—Oct. 20, 1939: Pope Pius XII publishes his first encyclical, Summi pontificatus, decrying racism, dictators, and treaty violations.

70 Years Ago—Oct. 20, 1944: US Sixth Army lands on Leyte in the Philippines, led by Gen. Douglas MacArthur, who declares, “I have returned.” Soviets and Yugoslavian partisans take Belgrade, Yugoslavia.