Video: 'Soviets invade Finland'
(Thursday, November 30, 1939, 6:50 a.m. Eastern European Time; during the Winter War, part of World War II) — The Winter War began this morning as Soviet troops crossed the border on the Karelian Isthmus after a half-hour artillery bombardment. Continue reading Winter War begins as Soviets invade Finland 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 30 1939)
(Saturday, November 11, 1939) — “South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)” by Shep Fields and his Rippling Rhythm (Hal Derwin, vocal) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for five non-consecutive weeks (Nov. 11/18/25, Dec. 9/23, 1939). Continue reading ‘South of the Border (Down Mexico Way)’ by Shep Fields peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 11 1939)
(Saturday, November 4, 1939) — “Blue Orchids” by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra (Ray Eberle, vocal) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Blue Orchids’ by Glenn Miller peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 4 1939)
(Saturday, October 21, 1939) — “Day In, Day Out” by Bob Crosby And His Orchestra (Helen Ward, vocal) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Day In, Day Out’ by Bob Crosby peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 21 1939)
Video: 'Mr. Smith Goes to Washington' trailer
(Tuesday, October 17, 1939, evening EDT) — Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, an American political comedy-drama film about a newly appointed United States Senator who fights against a corrupt political system, premiered tonight at Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. Continue reading ‘Mr. Smith Goes to Washington’ premieres in Washington, D.C. 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 17 1939)
Video: 'the sinking of the royal oak-2009'
(Saturday, October 14, 1939, 1:04 a.m. British Summer Time; during World War II) — German submarine U-47 today torpedoed and sank the HMS Royal Oak, a British battleship anchored at Scapa Flow in Scotland’s Orkney Islands; 833 of the more than 1,200 men aboard were killed, including Rear Admiral Henry Blagrove. Continue reading 833 men killed as German U-boat sinks HMS Royal Oak at Scapa Flow 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 14 1939)
<
Video: 'Warsaw Surrenders - 1939 | Today In History | 27 Sep 18'
(Wednesday, September 27, 1939, 12:00 p.m. Central European Time; during the Siege of Warsaw (1939), part of the Invasion of Poland during World War II) — The city of Warsaw surrendered today to forces from Nazi Germany on the 20th day of a siege that saw the Polish capital bombed and burned “into an unspeakable inferno.” Continue reading Warsaw surrenders to Nazi Germany 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 27 1939)
<
Video: 'The Soviet Story - Soviet Invasion of Poland, September 17, 1939, an excerpt.'
(Sunday, September 17, 1939, 4:00 a.m. Central European Time; during the Soviet invasion of Poland, part of the Invasion of Poland in World War II) — The Soviet Union invaded Poland from the east today, sixteen days after Germany invaded Poland from the west, launching World War II, the deadliest conflict in human history, marked by 50 to 85 million fatalities.
The Soviet invasion of Poland was secretly approved by Germany following the signing of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact on Aug. 23, 1939.
(Saturday, September 9, 1939) — “Over the Rainbow” by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra (Ray Eberle, vocal) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for seven non-consecutive weeks (Sep. 9/16/23/30, Oct. 7/14/28, 1939). Continue reading ‘Over the Rainbow’ by Glenn Miller peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 9 1939)
Video: 'FDR - Fireside Chat - Germany's Invansion of Poland 09-03-1939'
(Sunday, September 3, 1939, 10:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time; during the Invasion of Poland, part of World War II) — Pleading that the United States face Europe’s havoc with “national unity,” not selfish partisanship, President Franklin D. Roosevelt tonight solemnly promised the nation his utmost effort to keep the United States neutral. Continue reading Roosevelt urges national unity as war breaks out in Europe 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 3 1939)
