Explore 1392 historical events from 1940–1949.
Roland Bernard "Bunny" Berigan was an American jazz trumpeter and bandleader who rose to fame during the swing era. Although he composed some jazz instrumentals such as "Chicken an…
Bunny Berigan, American singer and trumpet player (born 1908)
Reinhard Tristan Eugen Heydrich was a high-ranking SS and police official in Nazi Germany as well as one of the principal architects of the Holocaust. He held the rank of SS-Obergr…
Reinhard Heydrich, German SS officer and a principle architect of the Holocaust (born 1904)
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: Captured French general Henri Giraud escaped from German captivity in the Königstein Castle
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: German and Italian forces began a large-scale counter-insurgency operation in occupied Yugoslavia
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…
Second World War: In retaliation for the Royal Air Force's bombing of Lübeck, the Luftwaffe began a series of air raids
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…
Second World War: Japanese forces began an invasion of Tulagi and nearby islands in the British Solomon Islands, enablin
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: Aircraft from Imperial Japanese Navy vessels attacked Allied naval forces, beginning the Battle of the Cor
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: Japanese troops overcame fierce American and Philippine resistance to win the Battle of Corregidor
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 Axis launched a major counteroffensive, turning the tide of the Battle of the Kerch Peninsula
Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. was an American singer and actor. One of the first multimedia stars, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th centu…
Bing Crosby recorded his version of the song "White Christmas", which went on to become the best-selling single worldwid
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 crews of three Japanese submarines scuttled their vessels and committed suicide after entering Sydney
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 Midway, a major battle of the Pacific War, began with a massive Japanese offensive on Americ
Haile Selassie I was Emperor of Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974. He rose to power as the Regent Plenipotentiary of Ethiopia under Empress Zewditu between 1916 and 1930.
Emperor Haile Selassie returns to Addis Ababa; the country commemorates the date as Liberation Day or Patriots' Victory
The Republic P-47 Thunderbolt is a World War II-era fighter aircraft produced by the American company Republic Aviation from 1941 through 1945. One of the main United States Army A…
The first flight of the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt
The Gloster E.28/39, was the first British turbojet-engined aircraft, first flying in 1941. It was the third turbojet aircraft to fly after the German Heinkel He 178 (1939) and Hei…
First flight of the Gloster E
Allan Segal also known as Allan Fear-Segal was a BAFTA-winning documentary film maker. He spent the majority of his career working for Granada Television.
Allan Segal, American director and producer (died 2012)
Lagle Parek is an Estonian politician. She served as the Minister of the Interior in the first post-soviet government, led by the Prime Minister Mart Laar.
Lagle Parek, Estonian architect and politician, Estonian Minister of the Interior
Michael Daniel Higgins is an Irish politician, poet and broadcaster who served as the president of Ireland from November 2011 to November 2025. Entering national politics through t…
Michael D
Michel Roux, OBE, also known as Michel Roux Snr., was a French chef and restaurateur working in Britain. Along with his brother Albert, he opened Le Gavroche, which subsequently be…
Michel Roux, French-English chef and author (died 2020)
Bobby Russell was an American singer and songwriter. Between 1966 and 1973, he had five singles on the Hot Country Songs charts, including the crossover pop hit "Saturday Morning C…
Bobby Russell, American singer-songwriter (died 1992)
Charles Patrick Ryan O'Neal was an American actor. Born in Los Angeles, he trained as an amateur boxer before beginning a career in acting in 1960.
Ryan O'Neal, American actor (died 2023)
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 Italian-German Tarigo convoy is attacked and destroyed by British ships
The Ustaše, was a Croatian fascist and ultranationalist organization active, as one organization, between 1929 and 1945. It was formally known as the Ustaša – Croatian Revolutionar…
World War II: The Nazi-affiliated Ustaše is put in charge of the Independent State of Croatia by the Axis powers after O
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 Axis powers invasion of Yugoslavia is completed when it signs an armistice with Germany and Italy