Category Archives: 1940s

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) →

Exiled Soviet leader Leon Trotsky assassinated in Mexico City on orders from Joseph Stalin 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 20 1940)

1940s


Video: '20th August 1940: Leon Trotsky attacked with an ice axe in Mexico'

(Tuesday, August 20, 1940, 5:30 p.m. CST) — Exiled Russian Marxist revolutionary and politician Leon Trotsky, one of the architects of the Russian Revolution, was stabbed with an ice axe by a Spanish-born Soviet agent today in Mexico City on orders from Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin. Continue reading Exiled Soviet leader Leon Trotsky assassinated in Mexico City on orders from Joseph Stalin 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 20 1940) →

Bugs Bunny makes his debut in animated short ‘A Wild Hare’ 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 27 1940)

1940s, Movies 1940s

(Saturday, July 27, 1940) — A Wild Hare, a Merrie Melodies cartoon supervised by Tex Avery (credited as Fred Avery on the original issue) and featuring Elmer Fudd and Bugs Bunny, the latter making what is considered his first official appearance, debuted today. Continue reading Bugs Bunny makes his debut in animated short ‘A Wild Hare’ 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 27 1940) →

Tommy Dorsey tops first Billboard music chart with ‘I’ll Never Smile Again’ 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 27 1940)

1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(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).

‘Fools Rush In (Where Angels Fear to Tread)’ by Glenn Miller peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 20 1940)

1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(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) →

FDR accepts nomination for unprecedented third term 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 19 1940)

1940s, U.S. Presidents


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) →

Battle of Britain between British and German air forces begins 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 10 1940)

1940s, World War II


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) →

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

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


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)

1940s, Popular Music 1940s

(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)

1940s, U.S. Presidents


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) →