Category Archives: 1940s

‘Gilda’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour (Mar 14 1946)


Video: 'Gilda' trailer

(Thursday, March 14, 1946, 10:35 a.m. EST)Gilda, a film noir about a gambler who discovers an old flame in South America, premiered this morning at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Continue reading ‘Gilda’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour (Mar 14 1946)

Churchill visits FDR’s grave for first time 80 years ago today (Mar 12 1946)

(Tuesday, March 12, 1946) — Solemnly and without words, Winston Churchill walked through a century-old hemlock hedge today and into a rose garden where he placed a wreath on the grave of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the man who had shared his heaviest burdens during one the supreme periods of history (click here to watch video of Churchill’s visit to FDR’s grave at 2:18:31).

Auschwitz concentration camp commandant Rudolf Höss arrested in northern Germany 80 years ago this hour (Mar 11 1946)


Video: 'The Rough Arrest Of The Commandant Of Auschwitz'

(Monday, March 11, 1946, approximately 11:00 p.m. Central European Time) — A ten-month manhunt for one of the world’s most wanted war criminals ended tonight when a British Field Security team burst into a farmhouse in the small village of Gottrupel, near the German town of Flensburg, close to the Danish border and dragged Rudolf Höss from his bed. Continue reading Auschwitz concentration camp commandant Rudolf Höss arrested in northern Germany 80 years ago this hour (Mar 11 1946)

‘Personality’ by Johnny Mercer and The Pied Pipers peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago today (Mar 9 1946)

(Saturday, March 9, 1946) — “Personality” by by Johnny Mercer and The Pied Pipers (with Paul Weston and his Orchestra) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week.

France recognizes Vietnam as an autonomous state 80 years ago today (Mar 6 1946)


Video: 'Vietnam: A Television History (Ep-2) The First Vietnam War (1945-54)' (Mar. 1946 at 1:40)

(Wednesday, March 6, 1946; during War in Vietnam (1945–46)) — Ho Chi Minh signed the Ho–Sainteny agreement today with France which recognized Vietnam as an autonomous state in the Indochinese Federation and the French Union and permitted France to continue stationing troops in North Vietnam until 1951. Continue reading France recognizes Vietnam as an autonomous state 80 years ago today (Mar 6 1946)

Winston Churchill delivers his ‘Iron Curtain’ speech 80 years ago this hour (Mar 5 1946)


Video: 'Winston Churchill's "Iron Curtain speech" regarding USSR and Eastern Bloc, at Wes...HD Stock Footage'

(Tuesday, March 5, 1946, around 4:00 p.m. CST) — In what is considered one of the opening volleys of the Cold War, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill condemned the Soviet Union’s policies in Europe today during a speech at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri, declaring “From Stettin in the Baltic to Trieste in the Adriatic, an iron curtain has descended across the continent, allowing police governments to rule Eastern Europe.” Continue reading Winston Churchill delivers his ‘Iron Curtain’ speech 80 years ago this hour (Mar 5 1946)

‘Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief’ by Betty Hutton peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago today (Mar 2 1946)

(Saturday, March 2, 1946) — “Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief” by Betty Hutton (with Paul Weston and his Orchestra; recorded June 29, 1945) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Doctor, Lawyer, Indian Chief’ by Betty Hutton peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago today (Mar 2 1946)

New ‘famine’ board asks U.S. cut wheat use by a fourth 80 years ago this hour (Mar 1 1946)


Video: 'Herbert Hoover Biography' (Hoover with Truman at 21:13)

(Friday, March 1, 1946, 3:15 p.m. EST) — An appeal to all Americans to deny themselves a substantial part of their daily bread “so that millions may survive who are otherwise doomed to death by starvation,” was voiced today by a newly formed Famine Emergency Committee under the honorary chairmanship of former U.S. President Herbert Hoover following its first meeting with President Harry Truman at the White House.

Norwegian statesman Trygve Lie chosen to be first UN secretary-general 80 years ago today (Feb 1 1946)


Video: 'TRYGVE LIE BECOME SECRETARY GENERAL TO UNO'

(Friday, February 1, 1946) — Norwegian statesman Trygve Lie was chosen today in London to be the first secretary-general of the United Nations (he would be formally inducted the following day). Continue reading Norwegian statesman Trygve Lie chosen to be first UN secretary-general 80 years ago today (Feb 1 1946)

‘Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!’ by Vaughn Monroe and His Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago today (Jan 26 1946)

(Saturday, January 26, 1946) — “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” by Vaughn Monroe and His Orchestra (vocal refrain by Vaughn Monroe and The Norton Sisters) was the #1 song on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for five consecutive weeks (Jan. 26, Feb. 2/9/16/23, 1946). Continue reading ‘Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!’ by Vaughn Monroe and His Orchestra peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago today (Jan 26 1946)