What Happened in 1940

Operation Sealion is Cancelled a Second Time, Never to be Resumed

Although difficult on the civilian population, the Blitz gave the RAF a much-needed break. Air bases and factories could be repaired and plane... Read more

"The Great Dictator" (film) is Released

The Great Dictator is a comedy film written, directed, produced by, and starring Charlie Chaplin. First released in October 1940, it was Chaplin's... Read more

Warsaw Ghetto established

The Warsaw Ghetto was the largest of the Jewish ghettos located in the territory of General Government in occupied Poland during World War... Read more

'For Whom the Bell Tolls' is Published

This novel is told primarily through the thoughts and experiences of Robert Jordan, a character inspired by Hemingway's own experiences in the... Read more

John Gotti is Born

John Joseph Gotti, Jr, also known as Johnny Boy, (October 27, 1940 – June 10, 2002) was the boss of the Gambino crime family after the murder of... Read more

Italian Forces Invade Greece

On 28 October 1940, after Greek dictator Ioannis Metaxas rejected an Italian ultimatum demanding the occupation of Greek territory, Italian forces... Read more

Luftwaffe Begins Heavy Bombing of British Cities

From November 1940 to February 1941, the Luftwaffe attacked industrial and port cities. Targets included Coventry, Southampton, Birmingham,... Read more

Agatha Christie publishes One, Two, Buckle My Shoe

One, Two, Buckle My Shoe is a work of detective fiction by Agatha Christie and first published in the UK by the Collins Crime Club in November 1940... Read more

Norton Fitzwarren Rail Crash

The winter of 1940-1 brought fears of bombing raids from Germany. Stations that were hit included Bristol, Birmingham, Birkenhead and Plymouth but... Read more

Ernest Hemingway and Pauline Pfeiffer are Divorced

Pfeiffer married Hemingway on May 10, 1927 but the match was difficult. She was wealthy and he was a best-selling author (The Sun Also Rises) with... Read more

Armistice Day Blizzard

On November 11, 1940, one of the deadliest blizzards this region has ever seen struck. The Armistice Day Storm killed 49 people in Minnesota, 150... Read more

"The Long Voyage Home" Is Released

The Long Voyage Home (1940) is an American drama film and directed by John Ford. It features John Wayne, Thomas Mitchell, Ian Hunter, Barry... Read more

Greek Forces Launch Counter-offensive on Italians

Greek reserves started reaching the front in early November, while Bulgarian inactivity allowed the Greek High Command to transfer the majority of... Read more

English City of Coventry Sustains Devastating Bombing from German Luftwaffe

The raid that began on the evening of 14 November 1940 was the most severe to hit Coventry during the war. It was carried out by 515 German... Read more

Ernest Hemingway Marries Martha Gellhorn

Often travelling with Gellhorn, the two fell in love as they competed for quality stories. They would eventually marry in November of 1940, nearly... Read more

"The Letter" Is Released

The Letter is a 1940 American film noir directed by William Wyler. The screenplay by Howard Koch is based on the 1927 play of the same name by W.... Read more

German Luftwaffe Commences Main Air Raid on English City of Southampton

Southampton Blitz The Second World War hit Southampton particularly hard. Pockets of Georgian architecture remain, but much of the city was leveled... Read more

Luftwaffe Commences Heavy Bombing of Bristol

Hitler's propaganda claimed that Bristol had been completely destroyed in a night raid on November 2, 1940 in which 5,000 incendiary and 10,000... Read more

Japanese Forces Capture Nanning

The occupation of Nanning cut a Chinese line of supply along the highways from French Indo-China into Kwansi Province. The railway from Indo-China... Read more

Central Hupei Operation

The Central Hupei Operation was one of the engagements between the National Revolutionary Army and Imperial Japanese Army during the Second... Read more

"The Bank Dick" Is Released

The Bank Dick (released as The Bank Detective in the United Kingdom) is a 1940 comedy film. (At the time, dick was common USA slang for detective.)... Read more

Richard Pryor is Born

Richard Franklin Lennox Thomas Pryor III (December 1, 1940 — December 10, 2005) was an American stand-up comedian, actor, and writer. Pryor was... Read more

"The Philadelphia Story" Is Released

The Philadelphia Story is a 1940 romantic comedy film directed by George Cukor, starring Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, and James Stewart. Based on... Read more

Hundred Regiments Offensive Ends in Victory for Chinese

The Japanese North China Area Army estimated the strength of communist regulars to be about 88,000 in December 1939. Two years later, they revised... Read more

Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo Remarry

Dr. Eloesser was also a close friend of Diego who was also in San Francisco at the time. While Frida was recuperating, Dr. Eloesser convinced... Read more