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) →

Video: 'Franco-German Armistice: Hitler (1940)' (Note: film of Hitler himself was taken June 21, 1940)

(Saturday, June 22, 1940, 6:50 p.m. Central European Summer Time; during the Battle of France, part of Western Front of the World War II) — The Armistice of 22 June 1940 between Germany and France was signed tonight near Compiègne, France, by officials of Nazi Germany and the French Third Republic. Continue reading France forced to sign armistice with Nazi Germany near Compiègne 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 22 1940) →

Video: 'Winston Churchill - Their Finest Hour Speech - Complete'

(Tuesday, June 18, 1940, 3:49 p.m. BST; during the Battle of France, part of the Western Front of World War II) — Winston Churchill, barely six weeks in office as Britain’s prime minister and confronted with the threat of invasion from Nazi-occupied France, rose in the House of Commons today and, in 36 minutes of soaring oratory, sought to rally his countrymen with what has gone down in history as his “finest hour” speech. Continue reading Churchill delivers ‘This was their finest hour’ speech in House of Commons 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 18 1940) →

Video: '17 juin 1940 - Maréchal Pétain - "Je fais à la France le don de ma personne" - Armistice'

(Sunday, June 16, 1940; during the Battle of France, part of the Western Front of the World War II) — With Nazi Germany on the brink of crushing France, 84-year-old Marshal Philippe Pétain became Prime Minister of France tonight after Paul Reynaud resigned. Continue reading Reynaud resigns, Petain takes over as new cabinet considers fate of France 80 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 16 1940) →

Video: 'German Invasion of Paris 32610e HD'

(Friday, June 14, 1940, 5:30 a.m. West European Summer Time; during the Battle of France, part of the Western Front of World War II) — German troops marched unopposed into Paris today. Continue reading German war machine occupies Paris unopposed 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 14 1940) →

Video: 'Britain Votes to Leave - WW2 - 042 - June 15 1940' (June 10, 1940, at 0:50)

(Monday, June 10, 1940, 6:00 p.m. Central European Time; during the Italian Invasion of France, part of the Battle of France, part of the Western Front of the World War II) — With the fall of France imminent, Premier Benito Mussolini appeared tonight on the balcony of the Palazzo Venezia to announce that in six hours, Italy would be in a state of war with France and Britain. Continue reading Italian Premier Benito Mussolini declares war on France, Britain 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 10 1940) →