Explore 3063 historical events from 1940–1949.
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 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division "Götz von Berlichingen" was a German Waffen-SS division that saw action on the Western Front during World War II. It was formed in October 1943…
World War II: German combat elements, reinforced by the 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division, launch a counterattack on Amer
Operation Perch was a British offensive of the Second World War which took place from 7 to 14 June 1944, during the early stages of the Battle of Normandy. The operation was intend…
World War II: After several failed attempts, the British Army abandons Operation Perch, its plan to capture the German-o
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: The United States invades Saipan, capital of Japan's South Seas Mandate
The 1944 Saskatchewan general election, the tenth in the history of the province, was held on June 15, 1944 to elect members of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan. The Co-ope…
In the Saskatchewan general election, the CCF, led by Tommy Douglas, is elected and forms the first socialist government
Iceland is a Nordic island country between the Arctic Ocean and the North Atlantic Ocean, located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between Europe and North America. It is culturally and p…
Iceland declares independence from Denmark and becomes a republic
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 Battle of the Philippine Sea was a major naval battle of World War II on 19–20 June 1944 that eliminated the Imperial Japanese Navy's ability to conduct large-scale carrier act…
World War II: The Battle of the Philippine Sea concludes with a decisive U
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: During the Continuation War, the Soviet Union demands unconditional surrender from Finland during the begi
MW 18014 was a German A-4 test rocket launched on 20 June 1944, at the Peenemünde Army Research Center in Peenemünde. It was the first man-made object to reach outer space, attaini…
The experimental MW 18014 V-2 rocket reaches an altitude of 176 km, becoming the first man-made object to reach outer sp
Operation Bagration was the codename for the 1944 Soviet Byelorussian strategic offensive operation, a military campaign fought between 22 June and 19 August 1944 in Soviet Byeloru…
World War II: Opening day of the Soviet Union's Operation Bagration against the Army Group Centre
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)
Masanori Murakami, nicknamed "Mashi", is a Japanese former baseball pitcher. He is notable for being the first Japanese player to play for a Major League Baseball (MLB) team. Sent …
Masanori Murakami, Japanese baseball player
Paul Francis Gadd, better known by his stage name Gary Glitter, is a British former singer who achieved fame and success during the 1970s and 1980s. His career ended after his 1999…
Gary Glitter, English singer-songwriter
Marie-France Pisier was a French actress, screenwriter, and director. She appeared in numerous films of the French New Wave, and twice earned the national César Award for Best Supp…
Marie-France Pisier, French actress, director, and screenwriter (died 2011)
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, also known as FDR, was the 32nd president of the United States, serving from 1933 until his death in 1945. He is the longest-serving US president and the…
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The Battle of Tali–Ihantala was part of the Finnish-Soviet Continuation War (1941–1944), which occurred during World War II. The battle was fought between Finnish forces—using war …
World War II: The Battle of Tali-Ihantala, the largest battle ever fought in the Nordic countries, begins
The bombardment of Cherbourg took place on June 25, 1944, during World War II, when ships from the United States Navy and the British Royal Navy attacked German fortifications in a…
World War II: United States Navy and British Royal Navy ships bombard Cherbourg to support United States Army units enga
Krazy Kat is an American newspaper comic strip, created by cartoonist George Herriman, which ran from 1913 to 1944. It first appeared in the New York Evening Journal, whose owner, …
The final page of the comic Krazy Kat is published, exactly two months after its author George Herriman died