Category Archives: 1940s

FDR outlines ‘Four Freedoms’ in State of the Union address 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 6 1941)

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


Video: 'Four Freedoms Speech'

(Monday, January 6, 1941, 2:00 p.m. EST; during World War II) — U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his Four Freedoms speech today before a joint session of the new 77th Congress, proposing four fundamental freedoms that all the people of the world ought to enjoy: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom from fear.

Continue reading FDR outlines ‘Four Freedoms’ in State of the Union address 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 6 1941) →

‘We must be the great arsenal of democracy,’ FDR declares 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 29 1940)

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


Video: 'Roosevelt Speaking About Cancer Of Nazis And Aid To Britain (1940)'

(Sunday, December 29, 1940, 9:30-10:00 p.m. EST; during World War II) — In a radio “fireside chat” directed primarily to the American people but broadcast throughout the world, President Franklin D. Roosevelt tonight promised to help the United Kingdom fight Nazi Germany by providing them with war supplies.
Continue reading ‘We must be the great arsenal of democracy,’ FDR declares 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 29 1940) →

‘The Second Great Fire of London has begun,’ American correspondent declares 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 29 1940)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'LONDON FIRE BRIGADE DURING BATTLE OF BRITAIN MOVIE 28232A'

(Sunday, December 29, 1940, shortly after 6:00-10:30 p.m. BST; during the Second Great Fire of London, part of the Blitz, part of the Strategic bombing campaign of World War II) — London suffered its most devastating air raid when Germans dropped incendiary bombs tonight, setting off what came to be known as “The Second Great Fire of London.”
Continue reading ‘The Second Great Fire of London has begun,’ American correspondent declares 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 29 1940) →

‘Frenesi’ by Artie Shaw peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 21 1940)

1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(Saturday, December 21, 1940) — “Frenesi” by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Selling Singles chart for 13 non-consecutive weeks (Dec. 21/28, 1940, Jan. 4/11/18/25, Feb. 1/8/15/22, Mar. 1/8/22, 1941).
Continue reading ‘Frenesi’ by Artie Shaw peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 21 1940) →

Germans seal off Warsaw Ghetto, cutting off 380,000 Jews 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 15 1940)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: '912 days of the Warsaw Ghetto' (Nov. 15, 1940, at 5:53)

(Friday, November 15, 1940; during The Holocaust, part of World War II) — The Warsaw Ghetto in occupied Poland, the largest of all the Nazi ghettos during World War II, was officially sealed today by a 9.8-foot high wall topped with barbed wire, cutting off 380,000 Jews from the rest of the world. Continue reading Germans seal off Warsaw Ghetto, cutting off 380,000 Jews 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 15 1940) →

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) →