World War II, or the Second World War, was the global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world’s nations — including all of the great powers — eventually forming two opposing military alliances, the Allies and the Axis. It was the most widespread war in history, with more than 100 million military personnel mobilised. In a state of “total war,” the major participants placed their entire economic, industrial, and scientific capabilities at the service of the war effort. Marked by significant events involving the mass death of civilians, including the Holocaust and the only use of nuclear weapons in warfare, it was the deadliest conflict in human history, resulting in 50 million to over 70 million fatalities. We have created a Library special on World War II in order to provide you easy access to our collection.

Andrew Carnegie’s quest for peace led to the founding of a wide range of funds and trusts. Shortly after the 1899 Hague Peace Conference had ended, William T. Stead, a British journalist and pacifist, and Andrew D. White, an American diplomat, convinced the Scottish-born American steel magnate and philanthropist to finance the ‘Temple for Peace’ that was to become the Peace Palace in The Hague. We have created a Library special on Andrew Carnegie in order to provide you easy access to our collection.