Explore 5072 historical events from 1940–1949.
Michael Fish is a British weather forecaster. From 1974 to 2004, he was a television presenter for BBC Weather.
Michael Fish, English meteorologist and journalist
The Battle of Osuchy was one of the largest battles between the Polish resistance and Nazi Germany in occupied Poland during World War II, a part of the Zamość Uprising. It took pl…
World War II: The Battle of Osuchy in Osuchy, Poland, one of the largest battles between Nazi Germany and Polish resista
World War II, or the Second World War, was a global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies and the Axis powers. Nearly all of the world's countries participated. Tanks and air…
World War II: The Battle of Cherbourg ends with the fall of the strategically valuable port to American forces
Jack Roosevelt Robinson was an American professional baseball player who was the first African American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era. Robinson broke the…
Jackie Robinson refuses to move to the back of a bus, leading to his court-martial.
A circus fire occurred on July 6, 1944, in Hartford, Connecticut, killing at least 167 people and leaving more than 700 injured. It was one of the worst fire disasters in United St…
The Hartford circus fire, one of America's worst fire disasters, kills approximately 168 people and injures over 700…
World War II, or the Second World War, was a global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies and the Axis powers. Nearly all of the world's countries participated. World War II …
World War II: Largest Banzai charge of the Pacific War at the Battle of Saipan.
Herbert Joseph Pedersen is an American musician, guitarist, banjo player, and singer-songwriter who has played a variety of musical styles over the past fifty years including count…
Herb Pedersen, American singer-songwriter and guitarist
Elizabeth LeCompte is an American director of experimental theater, dance, and media. A founding member of The Wooster Group, she has directed that ensemble since its emergence in …
Elizabeth LeCompte, American director and producer
Jean-Claude Van Cauwenberghe, nicknamed "Van Cau", is a Belgian politician. He is member of the Parti Socialiste. He was the tenth Minister-President of Wallonia from 4 April 2000 …
Jean-Claude Van Cauwenberghe, Belgian politician, 10th Minister-President of Wallonia
Alice Louise Waters is an American chef, restaurateur, food writer, and author. In 1971, she opened Chez Panisse, a restaurant in Berkeley, California, famous for its role in creat…
Alice Waters, American chef and author
Francis Henry Lee, also known as Franny Lee, was an English professional footballer and businessman. He was also later the chairman and main shareholder of Manchester City, as well…
Francis Lee, English footballer and businessman (died 2023)
The Battle of Saipan was an amphibious assault launched by the United States against the Empire of Japan during the Pacific campaign of World War II between 15 June and 9 July 1944…
World War II: American forces take Saipan, bringing the Japanese archipelago within range of B-29 raids, and causing…
The Continuation War, also known as the Second Soviet–Finnish War, was a conflict fought by Finland and Nazi Germany against the Soviet Union during World War II. It began with a F…
World War II: Continuation War: Finland wins the Battle of Tali–Ihantala, the largest battle ever fought in northern…
The Port Chicago disaster was a deadly munitions explosion of the ship SS E. A. Bryan on July 17, 1944, at the Port Chicago Naval Magazine in Port Chicago, California, United State…
Port Chicago disaster: Near the San Francisco Bay, two ships laden with ammunition for the war explode in Port…
World War II, or the Second World War, was a global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies and the Axis powers. Nearly all of the world's countries participated. World War II …
World War II: Adolf Hitler survives an assassination attempt led by German Army Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg.
World War II, or the Second World War, was a global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies and the Axis powers. Nearly all of the world's countries participated. World War II …
World War II: Battle of Guam: American troops land on Guam, starting a battle that will end on August 10.
Jill Clayburgh was an American actress known for her work in theater, television, and cinema. She received the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress and was nominated for the…
Jill Clayburgh, American actress (died 2010)
Bo-Göran "Bosse" Larsson was a Swedish professional footballer who played as a midfielder and striker. Best remembered for his time with Malmö FF, he also represented VfB Stuttgart…
Bo Larsson, Swedish footballer (died 2023)
John Rhys-Davies is a Welsh actor known for portraying Gimli in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Sallah in the Indiana Jones franchise. He has received three Screen Actors Guild A…
John Rhys-Davies, Welsh actor and screenwriter
The Polish Committee of National Liberation, also known as the Lublin Committee, was an executive governing authority established by the Soviet-backed communists in Poland at the l…
The Polish Committee of National Liberation publishes its manifesto, starting the period of Communist rule in Poland.
Operation Spring was an offensive operation of the Second World War conducted by II Canadian Corps during the Normandy campaign in 1944. The plan was intended to create pressure on…
World War II: Operation Spring near Caen is one of the bloodiest days for the First Canadian Army during the war.
The Workers' and Peasants' Red Army, often referred by its shortened name as the Red Army, was the army and air force of the Russian Soviet Republic and, from 1922, the Soviet Unio…
World War II: The Red Army enters Lviv, a major city in western Ukraine, capturing it from the Nazis. Only 300 Jews…
The Warsaw Uprising, sometimes referred to as the August Uprising, or the Battle of Warsaw, was a major World War II operation by the Polish underground resistance to liberate Wars…
World War II: The Warsaw Uprising against the Nazi German occupation breaks out in Warsaw, Poland.
Roger Rees was a Welsh-American actor and director. He won an Olivier Award and a Tony Award for his performance as the lead in The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. He als…
Roger Rees, Welsh-American actor and director (died 2015)