1940 United States presidential election: Democrat incumbent Franklin D. Roosevelt decisively defeats Republican challenger Wendell Willkie, and becomes the United States' first and only third-term …

Nov 20, 2025 · World War II dominated the first half of the decade, driving technological advances, accelerating nuclear research, and exposing the horrors of the Holocaust and atomic warfare.

Historical events from year 1940. Learn about 499 famous, scandalous and important events that happened in 1940 or search by date or keyword.

Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths. A message from Benito Mussolini is forwarded to Adolf Hitler. In the...

Jul 2, 2025 · This article will analyze the key events of 1940, focusing on their technological implications and long-term impact on the nation’s strategic trajectory.

Plutonium, a chemical element that plays a key role in nuclear weapons technology, was first identified and isolated in December 1940 by a research team working at the University of California, Berkeley.

By the end of the 1940s, it was clear that TV would be the entertainment form of the future. Both during and after the war, music provided a release from daily life, and new forms like rhythm and blues, …

Learn about the most influential figures and events in the 1940s.

November 5 – U.S. presidential election, 1940: Democratic incumbent Franklin D. Roosevelt defeats Republican challenger Wendell Willkie and becomes the nation's first and only third-term president.

Relive the key moments of 1940! From political shifts to cultural breakthroughs, discover the most significant events that shaped the year.