Category Archives: World War II

‘We must be the great arsenal of democracy,’ FDR declares 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 29 1940)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


Video: 'Roosevelt Speaking About Cancer Of Nazis And Aid To Britain (1940)'

(Sunday, December 29, 1940, 9:30-10:00 p.m. EST; during World War II) — In a radio “fireside chat” directed primarily to the American people but broadcast throughout the world, President Franklin D. Roosevelt tonight promised to help the United Kingdom fight Nazi Germany by providing them with war supplies.
Continue reading ‘We must be the great arsenal of democracy,’ FDR declares 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 29 1940) →

‘The Second Great Fire of London has begun,’ American correspondent declares 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 29 1940)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'LONDON FIRE BRIGADE DURING BATTLE OF BRITAIN MOVIE 28232A'

(Sunday, December 29, 1940, shortly after 6:00-10:30 p.m. BST; during the Second Great Fire of London, part of the Blitz, part of the Strategic bombing campaign of World War II) — London suffered its most devastating air raid when Germans dropped incendiary bombs tonight, setting off what came to be known as “The Second Great Fire of London.”
Continue reading ‘The Second Great Fire of London has begun,’ American correspondent declares 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 29 1940) →

Germans seal off Warsaw Ghetto, cutting off 380,000 Jews 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 15 1940)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: '912 days of the Warsaw Ghetto' (Nov. 15, 1940, at 5:53)

(Friday, November 15, 1940; during The Holocaust, part of World War II) — The Warsaw Ghetto in occupied Poland, the largest of all the Nazi ghettos during World War II, was officially sealed today by a 9.8-foot high wall topped with barbed wire, cutting off 380,000 Jews from the rest of the world. Continue reading Germans seal off Warsaw Ghetto, cutting off 380,000 Jews 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 15 1940) →

German planes destroy 60,000 buildings in English town of Coventry 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 14 1940)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Coventry Aka Coventry Cathedral (1940)'

(Thursday, November 14, 1940, 7:20 p.m.-Friday, November 15, 1940, 6:15 a.m. BST; during the Coventry Blitz on the Western Front of World War II) — A massive night time raid tonight on Coventry, England, by 437 German He 111 bombers, dubbed Operation Mondscheinsonate (Moonlight Sonata), killed 568 (the exact figure was never precisely confirmed) people, injured another 863 and destroyed 60,000 buildings (including the city’s 14th Century cathedral). Continue reading German planes destroy 60,000 buildings in English town of Coventry 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 14 1940) →

President Franklin D. Roosevelt elected to unprecedented third term, defeats Wendell Willkie 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 5 1940)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


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) →

First peacetime military draft in American history goes into effect 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 29 1940)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


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) →

Germany, Italy and Japan sign Tripartite Pact defensive military alliance 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 27 1940)

1940s, World War II


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) →

FDR enacts first peacetime military draft in American history 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 16 1940)

1940s, U.S. Presidents, World War II


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) →

British defeat Germans in large-scale aerial battle known as Battle of Britain Day 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 15 1940)

1940s, World War II


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) →

Nazi Germany launches ‘The Blitz’ bombing campaign against British cities 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 7 1940)

1940s, World War II


'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) →