Category Archives: 1940s

Drummer Ringo Starr born in Liverpool, England 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 7 1940)


Video: 'Ringo Starr - Member and Drummer of The Beatles | Mini Bio | BIO'

(Sunday, July 7, 1940) — English musician, singer, songwriter and actor Sir Richard Starkey MBE, known professionally as Ringo Starr, who gained worldwide fame as the drummer for the Beatles, was born today at 9 Madryn Street in Dingle, an inner city area of Liverpool, England. Continue reading Drummer Ringo Starr born in Liverpool, England 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 7 1940)

‘Make Believe Island’ by Mitchell Ayres peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 29 1940)

(Saturday, June 29, 1940)“Make Believe Island” by Mitchell Ayres and his Fashions in Music (vocal refrain by Mary Ann Mercer) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Make Believe Island’ by Mitchell Ayres peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 29 1940)

Willkie becomes first GOP presidential nominee to appear at convention 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 28 1940)


Video: 'Wendell Willkie addressing the crowd at the Republican National Convention after ...HD Stock Footage'

(Friday, June 28, 1940) — Wendell Willkie of New York informally accepted the nomination for President of the United States this afternoon at the 1940 Republican National Convention meeting at Philadelphia Convention Hall. Continue reading Willkie becomes first GOP presidential nominee to appear at convention 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 28 1940)

Stuart Sutcliffe of The Beatles born in Edinburgh, Scotland 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 23 1940)


Video: 'Stuart Sutcliffe, The Lost Beatle'

(Sunday, June 23, 1940) — Scottish painter and musician Stuart Sutcliffe, better known as the original bass guitarist of the English rock band The Beatles, was born Stuart Fergusson Victor Sutcliffe today at the Simpson Memorial Maternity Pavilion in Edinburgh, Scotland. Continue reading Stuart Sutcliffe of The Beatles born in Edinburgh, Scotland 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 23 1940)

Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler tours occupied Paris in triumph 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 23 1940)


Video: 'Hitler in Paris - The Secret 1940 Visit'

(Sunday, June 23, 1940, Hitler was on the ground from 5:45-8:30 a.m. Central European Summer Time; during the Battle of France, part of the Western Front of the World War II) — One day after France signed the Armistice of 22 June 1940 with Germany, Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler celebrated the victory with a tour of Paris early this morning. Continue reading Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler tours occupied Paris in triumph 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 23 1940)

France forced to sign armistice with Nazi Germany near Compiègne 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 22 1940)


Video: 'Franco-German Armistice: Hitler (1940)' (Note: film of Hitler himself was taken June 21, 1940)

(Saturday, June 22, 1940, 6:50 p.m. Central European Summer Time; during the Battle of France, part of Western Front of the World War II) — The Armistice of 22 June 1940 between Germany and France was signed tonight near Compiègne, France, by officials of Nazi Germany and the French Third Republic. Continue reading France forced to sign armistice with Nazi Germany near Compiègne 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 22 1940)

Churchill delivers ‘This was their finest hour’ speech in House of Commons 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 18 1940)


Video: 'Winston Churchill - Their Finest Hour Speech - Complete'

(Tuesday, June 18, 1940, 3:49 p.m. BST; during the Battle of France, part of the Western Front of World War II) — Winston Churchill, barely six weeks in office as Britain’s prime minister and confronted with the threat of invasion from Nazi-occupied France, rose in the House of Commons today and, in 36 minutes of soaring oratory, sought to rally his countrymen with what has gone down in history as his “finest hour” speech. Continue reading Churchill delivers ‘This was their finest hour’ speech in House of Commons 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 18 1940)

Reynaud resigns, Petain takes over as new cabinet considers fate of France 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 16 1940)


Video: '17 juin 1940 - Maréchal Pétain - "Je fais à la France le don de ma personne" - Armistice'

(Sunday, June 16, 1940; during the Battle of France, part of the Western Front of the World War II) — With Nazi Germany on the brink of crushing France, 84-year-old Marshal Philippe Pétain became Prime Minister of France tonight after Paul Reynaud resigned. Continue reading Reynaud resigns, Petain takes over as new cabinet considers fate of France 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 16 1940)

First mass transport to Auschwitz concentration camp arrives 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 14 1940)


Video: 'Auschwitz Concentration Camp - Documentary'

(Friday, June 14, 1940; during The Holocaust, part of World War II) — The first large shipment of prisoners — 728 Polish resistance members — arrived today at the Auschwitz concentration camp in German-occupied Poland. Continue reading First mass transport to Auschwitz concentration camp arrives 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 14 1940)