Category Archives: 1940s

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) →

‘Only Forever’ by Bing Crosby peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 19 1940)

1940s, Movies 1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(Saturday, October 19, 1940) — “Only Forever” by Bing Crosby With John Scott Trotter and His Orchestra peaked at #1 on today’s Billboard Best Selling Singles chart for nine consecutive weeks (Oct. 19/26, Nov. 2/9/16/23/30, Dec. 7/14, 1940). Continue reading ‘Only Forever’ by Bing Crosby peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 19 1940) →

‘The Great Dictator’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 15 1940)

1940s, Movies 1940s


Video: 'The Great Dictator' trailer

(Thursday, October 15, 1940, 8:30 p.m. EST; during World War II) — The Great Dictator, an American political satire comedy-drama film about a Jewish barber who takes the place of a war-hungry dictator, premiered tonight in New York City at the Astor Theatre at 1537 Broadway, at West 45th Street in Times Square and the Capitol Theatre at 1645 Broadway, just north of Times Square. Continue reading ‘The Great Dictator’ premieres in New York City 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 15 1940) →

Rock music icon John Lennon born in Liverpool, England 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 9 1940)

1940s, Popular Music 1940s, The Beatles 1940s


Video: 'The Life and Career of John Lennon'

(Wednesday, October 9, 1940) — English singer, songwriter, record producer and peace activist John Lennon, who gained worldwide fame as the founder, co-lead vocalist, and rhythm guitarist of The Beatles, was born John Winston Lennon today in the Liverpool Maternity Hospital in Liverpool, England. Continue reading Rock music icon John Lennon born in Liverpool, England 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 9 1940) →

Germany, Italy and Japan sign Tripartite Pact defensive military alliance 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 27 1940)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'An Axis of Evil is Complete - Japan Joins Italy and Germany - WW2 - 057 - September 28 1940' (Sept. 27, 1940, at 2:22)

(Friday, September 27, 1940, 1:00 Central European Summer Time; during World War II) — The Tripartite Pact, an agreement creating a defensive military alliance between Germany, Italy and Japan was signed today in Berlin. Continue reading Germany, Italy and Japan sign Tripartite Pact defensive military alliance 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 27 1940) →

FDR enacts first peacetime military draft in American history 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 16 1940)

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


Video: 'President Franklin Roosevelt signs the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940...HD Stock Footage'

(Monday, September 16, 1940, 3:08 pm. EDT; during World War II) — U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt today signed the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, providing the first peacetime draft in U.S. history, requiring the registration of all men 21 to 36 years old. Continue reading FDR enacts first peacetime military draft in American history 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 16 1940) →

British defeat Germans in large-scale aerial battle known as Battle of Britain Day 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 15 1940)

1940s, World War II


Video: '13 Hours That Saved Britain (Battle of Britain Documentary) | Timeline'

(Sunday, September 15, 1940, 10:10 a.m.-10:48 p.m. BST; during Battle of Britain Day, the climax of the Battle of Britain, part of the Western Front of World War II) — The German Luftwaffe launched its largest and most concentrated attack against London today in the hope of drawing out the Royal Air Force into a battle of annihilation. Continue reading British defeat Germans in large-scale aerial battle known as Battle of Britain Day 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 15 1940) →

Nazi Germany launches ‘The Blitz’ bombing campaign against British cities 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 7 1940)

1940s, World War II


'Video: The First Day Of The Blitz.'

(Saturday, September 7, 1940, 4:57 p.m. BST; part of the Strategic bombing campaign of World War II) — Nazi Germany today launched The Blitz, as the Luftwaffe shifted its focus from bombing British airfields and aircraft factories to conducting terror raids on London and other major cities in response to British bombing of Berlin Continue reading Nazi Germany launches ‘The Blitz’ bombing campaign against British cities 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 7 1940) →

Vichy France allows 6,000 Japanese troops to enter Indochina 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 30 1940)

1940s, World War II

Video: 'The World at War: Banzai! Japan: 1931-1942 (6 of 26)' (Aug. 30, 1940, at 19:13)

(Friday, August 30, 1940, around 11:00 p.m. BST; part of the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II) — Sensing lack of decisive support from the U.S. and the UK, Vichy France announced today that it would allow 6,000 Japanese troops to be stationed in Indochina and use ports, airfields and railroads for military purposes. Continue reading Vichy France allows 6,000 Japanese troops to enter Indochina 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 30 1940) →

First German bombing of London sparks war of attrition 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 24 1940)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'World War II - Blitzkrieg to the Bomb Documentary' (Aug. 24, 1940, at 20:41)

(Saturday, August 24, 1940, around 11:00 p.m. BST; during the Battle of Britain, part of the Western Front of World War II) — The Luftwaffe dropped bombs on the financial heart of London and Oxford Street in the West End tonight, probably unintentionally as the German bomber pilots had likely made a navigational error and did not know they were over the city, starting a war of attrition that would last five years.
Continue reading First German bombing of London sparks war of attrition 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 24 1940) →