The 18th International Conference on World War II, the premier event for exploring the history of the war that changed the world, concluded on November 22, 2025, hosted at The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center in downtown New Orleans. This year’s conference brought together top scholars, authors, historians, and witnesses to history from around the globe for three days of expert discussions.

The 2025 program featured 17 panels on WWII battles, key figures, decisions, and current debates. Attendees included scholars, history fans, and veterans. Q&A sessions encouraged direct discussion between speakers and the audience.

The National WWII Museum also announced the creation of its annual Book Awards, which will recognize the most outstanding nonfiction books on WWII history published each year while supporting authors in their scholarly endeavors and promoting the field of WWII historical research.

The International Conference on World War II is a program of the Jenny Craig Institute for the Study of War and Democracy at The National WWII Museum, made possible with generous support from Pritzker Military Museum & Library, The General Raymond E. Mason Jr. Distinguished Lecture Series on World War II Endowment Fund, and The George P. Shultz Forum on World Affairs Endowment Fund.

If you'd like to explore books from the conference speakers, many of which are signed, visit The National WWII Museum Store.

You can also catch the entire conference on the YouTube playlist below or browse individual panels through the links provided.

Sessions and Panels:

1. “US Special Operations Forces in World War II”: Hear best-selling author Patrick O’Donnell chronicle the daring missions and covert operations of America’s first special forces during World War II. Drawing on firsthand interviews and declassified documents, O’Donnell reveals how elite units like the Rangers, OSS, and Airborne pioneers shaped modern warfare through courage, innovation, and sacrifice behind enemy lines.
2. “OSS, SOE and Jedburghs”: Authors Clare Mulley and Benjamin Jones discuss the daring missions of the OSS, the SOE, and the multinational Jedburgh teams, including the courageous women who risked everything behind enemy lines. Hear about the hidden world of espionage, sabotage, and resistance during World War II and how these agents assisted the Allies in achieving victory.
3. “Special Forces in the Mediterranean”: From the rugged hills of Italy to the beaches of southern Europe, hear about the pivotal role of Allied special forces in the Mediterranean theater. David Williams chronicles the heroism and heavy sacrifice of Darby’s Rangers, while R. Todd Ross explores the daring exploits of the First Special Service Force—an elite American-Canadian unit.
4. “Navy and Marines”: Hear from former US Navy SEAL Benjamin Milligan discusses the rise of the SEALs from their WWII predecessors. Plus, author Joseph Tachovsky conveys the grit and sacrifice of Marine scout-snipers fighting one of the Pacific theater’s fiercest battles.
5. “X Troop: The Secret Jewish Commandos of World War II”: Historian Leah Garrett, in conversation with Stephanie Hinnershitz, explores the extraordinary story of X Troop—German-Jewish refugees who fled Nazi persecution, then returned to Europe as elite British commandos.
6. “Need to Know: World War II and the Rise of American Intelligence”: Author Nicholas Reynolds examines how World War II transformed US intelligence from a fragmented system into a global powerhouse. Tracing the origins of the CIA and modern espionage, Reynolds reveals how wartime innovation, secrecy, and strategy reshaped America’s role in the world.
7. “Special Agents”: Clare Mulley and Bradley Hart uncover the hidden world of espionage through two remarkable figures of World War II. Hear Mulley tell the story of Agent Zo—Elżbieta Zawacka, the only woman to serve as a courier in Poland’s underground army and the SOE, while Hart’s depiction of Baron Edgar von Spiegel reveals the complex life of a German diplomat and spy navigating the shifting loyalties of wartime Europe.
8. “Changing Tides: US Navy’s WWII Transformations in People and Systems”: This session explores how World War II reshaped the US Navy both socially and technologically. Historian Frank Blazich highlights the service and legacy of the Black Seabees, whose contributions paved the way toward an integrated Navy, while Trent Hone examines the Navy’s rapid evolution in organization, innovation, and operational systems that defined modern naval warfare.
9. “Nuremberg: A Conversation”: With this year marking the 80th anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials, historian Alexandra Richie joins Robert Hutchinson to reflect on the enduring legacy of Nuremberg the city and the postwar trials held there that redefined international justice. Together, they explore how the prosecution of Nazi leaders shaped postwar ethics, law, and the global pursuit of accountability.
10. “Remember Us”: Hear author Robert M. Edsel discuss Remember Us, his latest exploration of courage, memory, and the human stories of World War II. Edsel captures the horrors of war and the transcendent power of gratitude, showing the measures the Dutch have taken to thank their American liberators.
11. “Preserving the Legacy: Creating The National WWII Museum”: In this session, Museum Founding President & CEO Emeritus Gordon H. “Nick” Mueller joins journalist Steve Vogel to recount the remarkable story behind the creation of The National WWII Museum. From vision to reality, they explore the challenges, dedication, and passion that transformed a dream of honoring WWIIs veterans into one of the nation’s premier institutions of history and memory.
12. “Italy: Liberation and Occupation”: In this session, hear from best-selling authors John McManus and Keith Lowe as they discuss the fierce battles of the Italian Campaign of 1943, examining the challenges and resilience of cities caught between liberation and occupation.
13. “Ravensbrück”: Hear about the lives of women imprisoned at the Ravensbrück concentration camp with discussions from authors Lynne Olson and Gwen Strauss. Together, they tell stories of courage, solidarity, and resilience among the female prisoners, including stories of love and survival amidst unimaginable hardship.
14. “Armies Afloat: How the Development of Amphibious Operations in Europe Helped Win World War II”: Discussing his latest work, John Curatola explores the evolution of Allied amphibious operations in Europe and their pivotal role in securing victory. From planning to execution, this discussion highlights the innovation, strategy, and courage that made amphibious warfare a decisive factor in World War II.
15. “Fields of Glory: Football in World War II”: This session explores how America’s favorite game endured and evolved during one of history’s darkest times. Hear Bradford Pearson tell the inspiring story of Japanese American players who formed a powerhouse team inside a World War II incarceration camp, while Randy Roberts highlights the legendary matchups that lifted national morale and reflected the spirit of a country at war.
16. “Skies of Thunder”: Hear Caroline Alexander as she recounts a story of extraordinary human courage, where Allied troops overcame the monumental challenge of constructing jungle airfields and navigating “the Hump”—the treacherous mountain barrier that defined the vital air route for supplies from India.
17. “The Old Breed: The Complete Story Revealed”: In this conversation with historian Richard B. Frank, author Henry Sledge brings new context to his father Eugene Sledge’s classic memoir, With the Old Breed, weaving personal anecdotes and conversations to offer an intimate portrait of a WWII veteran and his challenges in adapting to postwar life.