Video: 'BBC News 39 - Sunday 3 September 1939 - (Part 7 of 14)'
(Sunday, September 3, 1939, 11:15 a.m. British Summer Time; during the Invasion of Poland, part of World War II) — Two days after Nazi Germany invaded Poland, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announced this morning that Great Britain and France were at war with Nazi Germany. Continue reading British PM Chamberlain proclaims ‘this country is at war with Germany’ 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 3 1939)
Video: 'BBC News 39 - Saturday 2 September 1939 - (Part 6 of 14)'
(Saturday, September 2, 1939, 7:44 p.m. British Summer Time; during the Invasion of Poland, part of World War II) — One day after Nazi Germany invaded Poland, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain informed the House of Commons tonight that no reply had yet been received from Germany regarding last night’s ultimatum which declared that unless the British government received “satisfactory assurances” that Germany was prepared to withdraw from Polish territory, “His Majesty’s Government will without hesitation fulfill their obligation to Poland.” Continue reading Chamberlain: Hitler has not yet responded to Britain’s ultimatum 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 2 1939)
Video: 'BBC News 39 - Friday 1 September 1939 - (Part 5 of 14)'
(Friday, September 1, 1939, 4:45 a.m. Central European Time; during the Invasion of Poland in the European theatre of World War II) — World War II, the deadliest conflict in human history, marked by 50 to 85 million fatalities, began this morning as Nazi Germany invaded Poland. Continue reading World War II begins as Nazi Germany invades Poland 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 1 1939)
Video: 'Signing the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact'
(Thursday, August 24, 1939, early morning Moscow Standard Time) — Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact tonight in Moscow, agreeing not to attack each other and to remain neutral if attacked by a third power. Continue reading Nazi Germany, Soviet Union sign non-aggression pact 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 24 1939)
Video: 'The Wizard of Oz' trailer
(Tuesday, August 15, 1939, 8:30 p.m. PDT) — The Wizard of Oz, an American musical fantasy film about a Kansas farm girl who dreams herself into a magical land where she must fight a wicked witch to escape, premiered tonight at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in the Hollywood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Continue reading ‘The Wizard of Oz’ premieres in Hollywood 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 15 1939)
(Saturday, August 12, 1939) — “Moon Love” by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra (Ray Eberle, vocal) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for four consecutive weeks (Aug. 12/19/26, Sep. 2, 1939). Continue reading ‘Moon Love’ by Glenn Miller peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 12 1939)
Video: 'The Hatch Act Explained'
(Wednesday, August 2, 1939) — President Franklin D. Roosevelt today signed the Hatch Act of 1939, a United States federal law whose main provision prohibits employees in the executive branch of the federal government, except the president, vice-president, and certain designated high-level officials, from engaging in some forms of political activity. Continue reading FDR signs Hatch Act restricting political activities of federal workers 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1939)
Video: 'Energie atomique : Albert Einstein; Dr. Leo Szilard'
(Wednesday, August 2, 1939) — German-born theoretical physicist Albert Einstein signed a letter today written by Hungarian-German-American physicist and inventor Leo Szilard and addressed to U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, warning that Nazi Germany might develop an atomic weapon and suggesting that the United States should start its own nuclear program. Continue reading Einstein signs letter urging FDR to build nuclear weapons 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 2 1939)
(Saturday, July 15, 1939) — “Stairway to the Stars” by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra (Ray Eberle, vocal) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for four consecutive weeks (July 15/22/29, Aug. 5, 1939). Continue reading ‘Stairway to the Stars’ by Glenn Miller peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 15 1939)
Video: 'From The Bottom Of My Heart'
(Thursday, July 13, 1939) — Singer Frank Sinatra, 23, made his first commercial recording, “From the Bottom of My Heart” and “Melancholy Mood,” with Harry James and his Orchestra today in New York for the Brunswick label. Continue reading Frank Sinatra makes first commercial recording 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 13 1939)
