Video: 'The Rhythm Club Fire Documentary (full movie)'
(Tuesday, April 23, 1940, 11:15 p.m. CST) — The Rhythm Club fire (or The Natchez Dance Hall Holocaust), a fire in a dance hall in Natchez, Mississippi, killed 209 people — all African Americans — and severely injured many others tonight. Continue reading Rhythm Club fire kills 209 people in Natchez, Mississippi 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 23 1940)
Video: 'The Invasion of Norway and Denmark - WW2 - 033 - April 13 1940' (Apr. 9, 1940, at 3:57)
(Tuesday, April 9, 1940, 5:15 a.m. Central European Time; during Operation Weserübung, part of World War II) — Nazi Germany occupied Denmark and invaded Norway early this morning, ostensibly as a preventive manoeuvre against a planned, and openly discussed, Franco-British occupation of Norway known as Plan R 4.
German envoys in Oslo and Copenhagen had presented the Norwegian and Danish governments with a German ultimatum demanding that they immediately accept the “protection of the Reich.”
Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary) 02.Distant War (September 1939 – May 1940)' (Operation Weserübung at 36:31)
Denmark capitulated so as to not provoke mass bloodshed at the hands of the Germans, and the country was invaded in six hours.
Norwegian Foreign Affairs Minister Halvdan Koht, however, responded with the defiant words “Vi gir oss ikke frivillig, kampen er allerede i gang” (“We will not submit voluntarily; the struggle is already underway”).
Video: 'World War II - Blitzkrieg to the Bomb Documentary' (Operation Weserübung at 10:29)
The entire Norwegian government including King Haakon VII fled the capital this morning for the mountains in the north.
(Saturday, March 30, 1940) — “When You Wish Upon a Star” by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra (vocal refrain by Ray Eberle) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for five consecutive weeks (Mar. 30, Apr. 6/13/20/27, 1940). Continue reading ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’ by Glenn Miller peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 30 1940)
Video: 'Rebecca' trailer
(Thursday, March 21, 1940, 8:45 p.m. EST) — Rebecca, an American romantic psychological thriller film about a young bride who is terrorized by the memories of her husband’s glamorous first wife, premiered tonight at the Lincoln Theater in Miami. Continue reading ‘Rebecca’ premieres in Miami 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1940)
Video: 'Hitler & Mussolini at Brenner Pass - 1940 | Today In History | 18 Mar 17'
(Monday, March 18, 1940, morning local time; during World War II) — German Führer Adolf Hitler and Italian Duce Benito Mussolini met today at the Brenner Pass in the Alps to celebrate their Pact of Steel, a military and political alliance between Italy and Germany. Continue reading Hitler and Mussolini plot war strategy at Brenner Pass 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 18 1940)
(Saturday, March 16, 1940) — “Darn That Dream” by Benny Goodman and his Orchestra (vocal refrain by Mildred Bailey) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Darn That Dream’ by Benny Goodman peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 16 1940)
Video: 'The Soviets Finish a Costly Winter War - WW2 - 029 - March 16 1940'
(Wednesday, March 13, 1940, 11:00 a.m. Eastern European Time; during the Winter War, part of World War II) — The 105-day Winter War, a war between the Soviet Union (USSR) and Finland, ended today after both sides signed the Moscow Peace Treaty, which gave Russia 16,000 square miles of Finnish territory. Continue reading Winter War ends as Finland agrees to cede 16,000 square miles to Soviets 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 13 1940)
Video: 'Hattie McDaniel winning Best Supporting Actress'
(Thursday, February 29, 1940, 8:30 p.m. PST) — Hattie McDaniel became the first African-American to win an Oscar tonight when she was named Best Supporting Actress for her performance as a house servant in Gone With The Wind, which won eight awards, including Best Picture. Continue reading Hattie McDaniel becomes first African-American to win Academy Award 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 29 1940)
(Saturday, February 24, 1940) — “Indian Summer” by Tommy Dorsey and his Orchestra (vocal refrain by Jack Leonard) peaked at #1 on today’s Your Hit Parade weekly music chart for one week. Continue reading ‘Indian Summer’ by Tommy Dorsey peaks at #1 in USA 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 24 1940)
Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary) 02.Distant War (September 1939 – May 1940)' (Feb. 23, 1940, at 26:46)
(Friday, February 23, 1940; during World War II) — The Lord Mayor of London gave a luncheon party today at the Guildhall to officers and ratings of the Exeter and Ajax to celebrate their Dec. 13, 1939, victory at the Battle of the River Plate. Continue reading London acclaims naval heroes from crusiers Exeter and Ajax 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 23 1940)
