Category Archives: 1940s

The Rolling Stones’ frontman Mick Jagger born in Dartford, England 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 26 1943)


Video: 'ROLLING STONES Mick Jagger Biography documentary (The History Channel, 1997)'

(Monday, July 26, 1943)Mick Jagger, an English singer and songwriter who achieved international fame as the lead vocalist and one of the founder members of the rock band The Rolling Stones, was born Michael Philip Jagger today in Dartford, England. Continue reading The Rolling Stones’ frontman Mick Jagger born in Dartford, England 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 26 1943)

Fascist dictator and Hitler ally Benito Mussolini dismissed as Italian premier, placed under arrest 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 25 1943)


Video: '205 - Mussolini Falls from Power - WW2 - July 30, 1943' (fall of the Fascist regime in Italy at 2:23)

(Sunday, July 25, 1943, Mussolini was arrested at 5:00 p.m. Central European Summer Time; during the fall of the Fascist regime in Italy and Allied invasion of Sicily, part of the Italian Campaign of World War II) — Benito Mussolini was dismissed and placed under arrested today as Prime Minister of Italy, along with the other Fascist Party members of his cabinet, bringing an end to a dictatorship of more than 17 years. Continue reading Fascist dictator and Hitler ally Benito Mussolini dismissed as Italian premier, placed under arrest 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 25 1943)

‘You’ll Never Know’ by Dick Haymes featuring the Song Spinners peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 24 1943)

(Saturday, July 24, 1943)“You’ll Never Know” by Dick Haymes featuring the Song Spinners peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard National List of Best Selling Retail Records chart for the first of four consecutive weeks (July 24/31, Aug. 7/14, 1943). Continue reading ‘You’ll Never Know’ by Dick Haymes featuring the Song Spinners peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 24 1943)

Allies bomb Rome for first time as Mussolini meets with Hitler in Feltre during World War II 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 19 1943)


Video: 'Precision bombing of Railroad yards in Rome, Italy by over 500 Allied bombers dur...HD Stock Footage'

(Monday, July 19, 1943, 11:13 a.m. Central European Summer Time; during the Bombing of Rome in World War II, part of the Winter Line and the battle for Rome) — Allied airplanes bombed the ancient city of Rome for the first time today when 690 United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) aircraft flew over Rome and dropped 9,125 bombs on the city. Continue reading Allies bomb Rome for first time as Mussolini meets with Hitler in Feltre during World War II 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 19 1943)

Allied invasion of Sicily during World War II begins 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 10 1943)


Video: 'Invasion Of Sicily - First Pictures (1943)'

(Saturday, July 10, 1943, just after midnight Central European Summer Time; during the Allied invasion of Sicily, part of the Italian Campaign of World War II) — Operation Husky, the Allied invasion of Sicily, a major campaign of World War II in which the Allied forces invaded the island of Sicily and took it from the Axis powers (Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany), began early this morning as two American and two British attacks by airborne troops were carried out. Continue reading Allied invasion of Sicily during World War II begins 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 10 1943)

Largest tank battle in history begins at Kursk, Russia during World War II 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 5 1943)


Video: '202 - Kursk, When Titans Clash - July 9, 1943' (July 5, 1943, at 7:21)

(Monday, July 5, 1943, 5:00 a.m. Moscow Standard Time; during the Battle of Kursk on the Eastern Front of World War II) — The Battle of Kursk, a major World War II Eastern Front large-scale engagement between the forces of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union near Kursk in southwestern Russia, began early today as the Germans launched Operation Citadel, an offensive which had the objective of pinching off the Kursk salient with attacks on the base of the salient from north and south simultaneously. Continue reading Largest tank battle in history begins at Kursk, Russia during World War II 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 5 1943)

‘Comin’ In On A Wing And A Prayer’ by The Song Spinners peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 3 1943)

(Saturday, July 3, 1943) — “Comin’ In On A Wing And A Prayer” by The Song Spinners peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard National List of Best Selling Retail Records chart for the first of three consecutive weeks (July 3/10/17, 1943). Continue reading ‘Comin’ In On A Wing And A Prayer’ by The Song Spinners peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 3 1943)

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill declares victory in Battle of the Atlantic, citing ‘total defeat’ of German U-boats since April 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 30 1943)


Video: 'World War II: Winston Churchill speech on receiving freedom of City of London (1943)'

(Wednesday, June 30, 1943, during the Battle of the Atlantic, part of World War II) — British Prime Minister Winston Churchill said in a speech at Guildhall in London today that the Allies had achieved a “total defeat” of the German U-boat attack in May and June, sinking more than 30 in May alone, and that Great Britain would fight until Japan submits or “bite the dust.” Continue reading British Prime Minister Winston Churchill declares victory in Battle of the Atlantic, citing ‘total defeat’ of German U-boats since April 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 30 1943)

‘Taking a Chance on Love’ by Benny Goodman peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 12 1943)

(Saturday, June 12, 1943) — “Taking a Chance on Love” by Benny Goodman and his Orchestra (vocal chorus by Helen Forrest) peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard National List of Best Selling Retail Records chart for the first of three consecutive weeks (June 12/19/26, 1943). Continue reading ‘Taking a Chance on Love’ by Benny Goodman peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 12 1943)

Zoot Suit Riots involving American servicemen and young Latino and Mexican Americans begin in Los Angeles 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 3 1943)


Video: 'How Anti-Mexican Racism in L.A. Caused the Zoot Suit Riots | History'

(Thursday, June 3, 1943, evening PWT; during the Zoot Suit Riots and World War II) — The Zoot Suit Riots, a series of riots that took place from June 3–8, 1943, in Los Angeles, California, United States, involving American servicemen stationed in Southern California and young Latino and Mexican American city residents, began tonight. Continue reading Zoot Suit Riots involving American servicemen and young Latino and Mexican Americans begin in Los Angeles 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 3 1943)