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)
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)
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)
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)
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: '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)
