Category Archives: 1940s

German planes destroy 60,000 buildings in English town of Coventry 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 14 1940)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Coventry Aka Coventry Cathedral (1940)'

(Thursday, November 14, 1940, 7:20 p.m.-Friday, November 15, 1940, 6:15 a.m. BST; during the Coventry Blitz on the Western Front of World War II) — A massive night time raid tonight on Coventry, England, by 437 German He 111 bombers, dubbed Operation Mondscheinsonate (Moonlight Sonata), killed 568 (the exact figure was never precisely confirmed) people, injured another 863 and destroyed 60,000 buildings (including the city’s 14th Century cathedral). Continue reading German planes destroy 60,000 buildings in English town of Coventry 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 14 1940) →

‘Fantasia’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 13 1940)

1940s, Movies 1940s, Popular Music 1940s


Video: 'Fantasia' trailer

(Wednesday, November 13, 1940, 8:40 p.m. EST) — Fantasia, an American animated film produced by Walt Disney featuring eight animated segments set to pieces of classical music conducted by Leopold Stokowski, seven of which are performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra, premiered tonight at the Broadway Theatre, 1681 Broadway (at 53rd Street) in New York City. Continue reading ‘Fantasia’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 13 1940) →

Caught on camera! Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington collapses 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 7 1940)

1940s


Video: 'Tacoma Bridge Collapse (1940)'

(Thursday, November 7, 1940, 11:10 a.m. PST) — The newly built first Tacoma Narrows Bridge, a suspension bridge in the U.S. state of Washington that spanned the Tacoma Narrows strait of Puget Sound between Tacoma and the Kitsap Peninsula, collapsed with a roar today and plunged into waters 195 feet below. Continue reading Caught on camera! Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington collapses 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 7 1940) →

President Franklin D. Roosevelt elected to unprecedented third term, defeats Wendell Willkie 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 5 1940)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'The American Presidential Election of 1940'

(Tuesday, November 5, 1940, during the 1940 United States presidential election) — President Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York, a Democrat, was elected to an unprecedented third term as the 32nd President of the United States today, defeating Republican businessman Wendell Willkie. Continue reading President Franklin D. Roosevelt elected to unprecedented third term, defeats Wendell Willkie 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 5 1940) →

First peacetime military draft in American history goes into effect 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 29 1940)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'President Franklin Delano Roosevelt addressing the nation about the Selective Ser...HD Stock Footage'

(Tuesday, October 29, 1940, 12:30 pm. EST; during World War II) — Secretary of War Henry Stimson stood blindfolded on the stage of the War Department’s auditorium above Constitution Avenue today and drew from an immense glass bowl the first number, 158, in the nation’s democratic lottery under the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940. Continue reading First peacetime military draft in American history goes into effect 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 29 1940) →

‘Only Forever’ by Bing Crosby peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 19 1940)

1940s, Movies 1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(Saturday, October 19, 1940) — “Only Forever” by Bing Crosby With John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Selling Singles chart for nine consecutive weeks (Oct. 19/26, Nov. 2/9/16/23/30, Dec. 7/14, 1940). Continue reading ‘Only Forever’ by Bing Crosby peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 19 1940) →

‘The Great Dictator’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 15 1940)

1940s, Movies 1940s


Video: 'The Great Dictator' trailer

(Thursday, October 15, 1940, 8:30 p.m. EST; during World War II) — The Great Dictator, an American political satire comedy-drama film about a Jewish barber who takes the place of a war-hungry dictator, premiered tonight in New York City at the Astor Theatre at 1537 Broadway, at West 45th Street in Times Square and the Capitol Theatre at 1645 Broadway, just north of Times Square. Continue reading ‘The Great Dictator’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 15 1940) →

Rock music icon John Lennon born in Liverpool, England 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 9 1940)

1940s, Popular Music 1940s, The Beatles 1940s


Video: 'The Life and Career of John Lennon'

(Wednesday, October 9, 1940) — English singer, songwriter, record producer and peace activist John Lennon, who gained worldwide fame as the founder, co-lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist of The Beatles, was born John Winston Lennon today in the Liverpool Maternity Hospital in Liverpool, England. Continue reading Rock music icon John Lennon born in Liverpool, England 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 9 1940) →

Germany, Italy and Japan sign Tripartite Pact defensive military alliance 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 27 1940)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'An Axis of Evil is Complete - Japan Joins Italy and Germany - WW2 - 057 - September 28 1940' (Sept. 27, 1940, at 2:22)

(Friday, September 27, 1940, 1:00 Central European Summer Time; during World War II) — The Tripartite Pact, an agreement creating a defensive military alliance between Germany, Italy and Japan was signed today in Berlin. Continue reading Germany, Italy and Japan sign Tripartite Pact defensive military alliance 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 27 1940) →

FDR enacts first peacetime military draft in American history 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 16 1940)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'President Franklin Roosevelt signs the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940...HD Stock Footage'

(Monday, September 16, 1940, 3:08 pm. EDT; during World War II) — U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt today signed the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, providing the first peacetime draft in U.S. history, requiring the registration of all men 21 to 36 years old. Continue reading FDR enacts first peacetime military draft in American history 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 16 1940) →