(Saturday, March 16, 1940) — “Darn That Dream” by Benny Goodman and his Orchestra (vocal refrain by Mildred Bailey) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Darn That Dream’ by Benny Goodman peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 16 1940)
Category Archives: 1940s
Winter War ends as Finland agrees to cede 16,000 square miles to Soviets 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 13 1940)
Video: 'The Soviets Finish a Costly Winter War - WW2 - 029 - March 16 1940'
(Wednesday, March 13, 1940, 11:00 a.m. Eastern European Time; during the Winter War, part of World War II) — The 105-day Winter War, a war between the Soviet Union (USSR) and Finland, ended today after both sides signed the Moscow Peace Treaty, which gave Russia 16,000 square miles of Finnish territory. Continue reading Winter War ends as Finland agrees to cede 16,000 square miles to Soviets 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 13 1940)
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Hattie McDaniel becomes first African-American to win Academy Award 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 29 1940)
Video: 'Hattie McDaniel winning Best Supporting Actress'
(Thursday, February 29, 1940, 8:30 p.m. PST) — Hattie McDaniel became the first African-American to win an Oscar tonight when she was named Best Supporting Actress for her performance as a house servant in Gone With The Wind, which won eight awards, including Best Picture. Continue reading Hattie McDaniel becomes first African-American to win Academy Award 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 29 1940)
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‘Indian Summer’ by Tommy Dorsey peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 24 1940)
(Saturday, February 24, 1940) — “Indian Summer” by Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra (vocal refrain by Jack Leonard) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Indian Summer’ by Tommy Dorsey peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 24 1940)
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London acclaims naval heroes from crusiers Exeter and Ajax 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 23 1940)
Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary) 02.Distant War (September 1939 – May 1940)' (Feb. 23, 1940, at 26:46)
(Friday, February 23, 1940; during World War II) — The Lord Mayor of London gave a luncheon party today at the Guildhall to officers and ratings of the Exeter and Ajax to celebrate their Dec. 13, 1939, victory at the Battle of the River Plate. Continue reading London acclaims naval heroes from crusiers Exeter and Ajax 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 23 1940)
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British raid Altmark in Norway waters, free 299 Spee captives 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 16 1940)
Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary) 02.Distant War (September 1939 – May 1940)' (Feb. 16, 1940, at 30:43)
(Friday, February 16, 1940, 10:20 p.m. Central European Time; part of World War II and Phoney War) — Forces of the Royal Navy seized the German steamer Altmark today in Norwegian waters and freed 299 prisoners of war whose ships were sunk by the pocket battleship Graf Spee in the Southern Atlantic Ocean. Continue reading British raid Altmark in Norway waters, free 299 Spee captives 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 16 1940)
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‘Careless’ by Glenn Miller peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 3 1940)
(Saturday, February 3, 1940) — “Careless” by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra (vocal refrain by Ray Eberle) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for four non-consecutive weeks (Feb. 3/17, Mar. 2/23, 1940). Continue reading ‘Careless’ by Glenn Miller peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 3 1940)
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‘All the Things You Are’ by Tommy Dorsey peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 27 1940)
(Saturday, January 27, 1940) — “All the Things You Are” by Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra (vocal refrain by Jack Leonard) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for two non-consecutive weeks (Jan. 27, Feb. 10, 1940). Continue reading ‘All the Things You Are’ by Tommy Dorsey peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 27 1940)
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‘The Grapes of Wrath’ opens in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 24 1940)
Video: 'The Grapes of Wrath' trailer
(Wednesday, January 24, 1940, 9:30 a.m. EST) — The Grapes of Wrath, an American drama film about Oklahoma farmers dispossessed during the Depression who fight for better lives in California, opened this morning at Rivoli Theatre in New York City. Continue reading ‘The Grapes of Wrath’ opens in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 24 1940)
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‘Mule Train’ by Frankie Laine peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 26 1949)
(Saturday, November 26, 1949) — “Mule Train” by Frankie Laine and the Muleskinners peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Sellers in Stores chart for six consecutive weeks (Nov. 26, Dec. 3/10/17/24/31, 1949). Continue reading ‘Mule Train’ by Frankie Laine peaks at #1 in USA 70 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 26 1949)
