Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary) 02.Distant War (September 1939 – May 1940)' (Dec. 13, 1939, at 23:18)

(Wednesday, December 13, 1939, 6:18 a.m. local time; during the Battle of the River Plate, part of the American Theatre of World War II) — The German cruiser Admiral Graf Spee was critically damaged in a battle with the British warships Exeter, Ajax and Achilles today off the River Plate estuary in Argentina and Uruguay. Continue reading British defeat Germans in first naval battle of World War II 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 13 1939) →

Video: 'Soviets invade Finland'

(Thursday, November 30, 1939, 6:50 a.m. Eastern European Time; during the Winter War, part of World War II) — The Winter War began this morning as Soviet troops crossed the border on the Karelian Isthmus after a half-hour artillery bombardment. Continue reading Winter War begins as Soviets invade Finland 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 30 1939) →

Video: 'the sinking of the royal oak-2009'

(Saturday, October 14, 1939, 1:04 a.m. British Summer Time; during  World War II) — German submarine U-47 today torpedoed and sank the HMS Royal Oak, a British battleship anchored at Scapa Flow in Scotland’s Orkney Islands; 833 of the more than 1,200 men aboard were killed, including Rear Admiral Henry Blagrove. Continue reading 833 men killed as German U-boat sinks HMS Royal Oak at Scapa Flow 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 14 1939) →

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Video: 'Warsaw Surrenders - 1939 | Today In History | 27 Sep 18'

(Wednesday, September 27, 1939, 12:00 p.m. Central European Time; during the Siege of Warsaw (1939), part of the Invasion of Poland during World War II) — The city of Warsaw surrendered today to forces from Nazi Germany on the 20th day of a siege that saw the Polish capital bombed and burned “into an unspeakable inferno.” Continue reading Warsaw surrenders to Nazi Germany 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 27 1939) →

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Video: 'The Soviet Story - Soviet Invasion of Poland, September 17, 1939, an excerpt.'

(Sunday, September 17, 1939, 4:00 a.m. Central European Time; during the Soviet invasion of Poland, part of the Invasion of Poland in World War II) — The Soviet Union invaded Poland from the east today, sixteen days after Germany invaded Poland from the west, launching World War II, the deadliest conflict in human history, marked by 50 to 85 million fatalities.

The Soviet invasion of Poland was secretly approved by Germany following the signing of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact on Aug. 23, 1939.

Video: 'HM King George VI - War outbreak speech - 3 September 1939'

(Sunday, September 3, 1939, 6:00 p.m. British Summer Time; during the Invasion of Poland, part of World War II) — Seven hours after Britain declared war on Nazi Germany, King George VI of England urged his subjects all over the world tonight to “stand calm and firm” in the face of a war in which “it is unthinkable that we should refuse to meet the challenge” during a radio address from Buckingham Palace in London. Continue reading King George VI urges subjects to ‘stand calm and firm’ against Nazi Germany 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 3 1939) →

Video: 'BBC News 39 - Sunday 3 September 1939 - (Part 7 of 14)'

(Sunday, September 3, 1939, 11:15 a.m. British Summer Time; during the Invasion of Poland, part of World War II) — Two days after Nazi Germany invaded Poland, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announced this morning that Great Britain and France were at war with Nazi Germany. Continue reading British PM Chamberlain proclaims ‘this country is at war with Germany’ 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 3 1939) →

Video: 'BBC News 39 - Saturday 2 September 1939 - (Part 6 of 14)'

(Saturday, September 2, 1939, 7:44 p.m. British Summer Time; during the Invasion of Poland, part of World War II) — One day after Nazi Germany invaded Poland, British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain informed the House of Commons tonight that no reply had yet been received from Germany regarding last night’s ultimatum which declared that unless the British government received “satisfactory assurances” that Germany was prepared to withdraw from Polish territory, “His Majesty’s Government will without hesitation fulfill their obligation to Poland.” Continue reading Chamberlain: Hitler has not yet responded to Britain’s ultimatum 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 2 1939) →

Video: 'BBC News 39 - Friday 1 September 1939 - (Part 5 of 14)'

(Friday, September 1, 1939, 4:45 a.m. Central European Time; during the Invasion of Poland in the European theatre of World War II) — World War II, the deadliest conflict in human history, marked by 50 to 85 million fatalities, began this morning as Nazi Germany invaded Poland. Continue reading World War II begins as Nazi Germany invades Poland 80 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 1 1939) →