This Week in 1945 (January 18-24)

This Week, the Last Year the Cubs Were in the World Series

World War II Rages On…

*This week’s TIME magazine cover: Major General Hoyt Sanford Vandenberg, commander of the U.S. Ninth Air Force.

*In Germany, Adolf Hitler evacuates to his underground Führerbunker.

*In Poland, The Soviet Union’s Red Army occupies Warsaw.

*Hungary drops out of the war, agreeing to an armistice with the Allies.

*Meanwhile, back in America, Franklin D. Roosevelt is inaugurated to an unprecedented 4th term as President of the United States. No president before, or since, has ever reached a third term in office. (Newsreel Video)

In Chicago…

*The fourth tallest building in the city is the Civic Opera House. The Civic Opera House is located at 20 North Wacker Drive. It is part of a building which contains a 45-story office tower and two 22-story wings. This structure opened on November 4, 1929 and has an Art Deco interior. (At the turn of the 21st century it will be Chicago’s 61st tallest building)

*Sam Cooke turns 14. He is the gospel singing son of a Baptist minister on the south side.

*Price check: A brand new Emerson Bedroom Radio is $19.65 (and it isn’t actually new—they haven’t been making them during the war). A man’s suit can be had from $24.50.

This Week’s Birthdays

*Ernest Borgnine celebrates his 28th birthday serving in the United States Navy as a Gunner’s Mate 1st class.

*Little Janis Joplin turns 2 in Texas.

In Pop Culture…

*“A song to remember” debuts starring Cornel Wilde as Chopin. He will be nominated for best actor. The Candelabra scene will later inspire Liberace to incorporate it in his act. (VIDEO: Scene from the film)

*John Steinbeck’s “Cannery Row” is published.

Cub of the week

Ed Sauer is one of the outfielders on the Cubs roster. He has strictly been a reserve for the past two seasons, getting into only a handful of games. Sauer is in California at the Angels training facility—the Cubs minor league team—with full blessings from the Cubs, and won’t be making it to the official spring training in French Lick, Indiana. He is training with fellow Cubs Ray Primm and Len Rice.

By the beginning of the season Sauer will make his way into the Opening day starting lineup because of the holdout of Peanuts Lowrey and the injury to Frank Secory. He’ll remain on the roster all season, and even get two at-bats in the World Series. Unfortunately, he’ll strike out both times.