(Saturday, July 27, 1940) — This week’s issue of Billboard magazine began publishing a top ten list of the best-selling retail records in the United States today with “I’ll Never Smile Again” by Tommy Dorsey and His Orchestra (vocal refrain by Frank Sinatra & The Pied Pipers) topping the debut chart (and for 11 more consecutive weeks on Aug. 3/10/17/24/31, Sep. 7/14/21/28, Oct. 5/12, 1940).
(Saturday, July 20, 1940) — “Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear to Tread)” by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra (vocal refrain by Ray Eberle) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear to Tread)’ by Glenn Miller peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 20 1940)
Video: 'DNC (July 19th 1940)'
(Friday, July 19, 1940, 12:14 a.m. EDT; during the 1940 Democratic National Convention) — From the White House in Washington, D.C., President Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York accepted the Democratic presidential nomination tonight in a radio address to delegates attending the 1940 Democratic National Convention at Chicago Stadium (where it was July 18, 1940, 11:14 p.m. CDT), becoming the first president in the history of the United States to gain or accept a third-term nomination for the high office.
Continue reading FDR accepts nomination for unprecedented third term 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 19 1940)
Video: 'The Dictator of France - The Rise of Philippe Pétain - WW2 - 046 - July 13 1940' (July 10, 1940, at 0:48)
(Wednesday, July 10, 1940, 2:00 p.m. BST; during the Battle of Britain, part of the Western Front of World War II) — The Battle of Britain, a military campaign in which the Royal Air Force (RAF) defended the United Kingdom (UK) against large-scale attacks by Nazi Germany’s air force, the Luftwaffe, began today as the Luftwaffe attacked coastal targets and shipping convoys in the English Channel. Continue reading Battle of Britain between British and German air forces begins 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 10 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)
(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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
