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)
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)
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)
(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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
'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)
