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Major Events of December 1939: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from December 1939 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of December 1939: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Dec 1939 Nazi Deportation of Polish Jews Begins: SS-Führer Heinrich Himmler initiates the systematic deportation of Polish Jews, marking a critical and horrific moment in the early stages of the Holocaust. This event represents the beginning of a systematic persecution and forced relocation of Jewish populations under Nazi control.
  • 02 Dec 1939 La Guardia Airport Begins Operations: On December 2, 1939, New York's La Guardia Airport officially began operations when an airliner from Chicago landed precisely one minute after midnight, marking a significant milestone in American aviation infrastructure.
  • 03 Dec 1939 Soviet Invasion of Finland during Winter War: Soviet forces advanced into Finnish territory, forcing Finnish troops to strategically retreat to the heavily fortified Mannerheim Line, a defensive border fortification designed to resist potential Soviet invasion. This event marks a critical moment in the Winter War, highlighting Finland's resistance against Soviet territorial aggression.
  • 04 Dec 1939 HMS Nelson Mine Strike During World War II: During World War II, the British battleship HMS Nelson was struck by a mine laid by the German submarine U-31 off the Scottish coast. The damage was significant enough to require extensive repairs, and the vessel was laid up in dry dock until August 1940, effectively removing a key naval asset from active service during a critical period of the early war.
  • 05 Dec 1939 Soviet Army Halted at Mannerheim Line During Winter War: During the Winter War, the Soviet Army's initial advances were decisively stopped by the formidable Finnish defensive fortifications known as the Mannerheim Line. This strategic defensive position, named after Finnish military leader Carl Gustaf Emil Mannerheim, proved to be a significant obstacle for Soviet forces attempting to invade Finland.
  • 06 Dec 1939 Battle of Taipale Begins in Winter War: The Battle of Taipale commenced as part of the Winter War between the Soviet Union and Finland. This battle was a significant engagement in the conflict, taking place in the Karelian Isthmus and representing Finland's determined defense against Soviet invasion.
  • 07 Dec 1939 Nordic Countries Declare Neutrality in Soviet-Finnish War: Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Italy officially declared their neutrality in the ongoing conflict between the Soviet Union and Finland, known as the Winter War. This diplomatic stance reflected the complex geopolitical tensions of the early stages of World War II, with these nations seeking to avoid direct involvement in the military confrontation between the Soviet Union and Finland.
  • 08 Dec 1939 World War II Ongoing Period: While no specific event was initially recorded for December 8, 1939, this date falls within the early stages of World War II, which began on September 1, 1939, with Germany's invasion of Poland. During this period, global tensions were high, and many countries were preparing for potential conflict or aligning their strategic positions.
  • 09 Dec 1939 Soviet Air Raid on Helsinki during Winter War: On December 9, 1939, the Soviet Air Force conducted a strategic bombing raid on Helsinki, the capital of Finland, marking a significant escalation in the Winter War between the Soviet Union and Finland. The aerial attack targeted civilian infrastructure and was part of the Soviet Union's broader military campaign to pressure Finland into territorial concessions.
  • 10 Dec 1939 1939 Nobel Prize Awards Ceremony: The Nobel Prize ceremony was held in Stockholm, with notable recipients including Ernest Lawrence (Physics), Adolf Butenandt and Leopold Ružička (Chemistry), Gerhard Domagk (Physiology or Medicine), and Frans Eemil Sillanpää (Literature). Due to World War II tensions, some German laureates were initially forced to decline their awards, later accepting them after the war.
  • 11 Dec 1939 Anti-Jewish Measures Implemented in Poland: During the early stages of World War II, the Nazi-occupied Polish territories saw the implementation of discriminatory anti-Jewish policies, marking an escalation of persecution against the Jewish population. These measures were part of the broader systematic oppression that would eventually lead to the Holocaust.
  • 12 Dec 1939 Winter War: Battle of Tolvajärvi: During the Winter War, Finnish forces achieved a significant strategic victory against Soviet troops at the Battle of Tolvajärvi. This engagement marked a crucial moment in Finland's resistance against Soviet invasion, demonstrating the Finnish military's tactical prowess and determination in defending their homeland.
  • 13 Dec 1939 Battle of the River Plate: The Battle of the River Plate was a significant naval engagement fought off the coast of Uruguay during the early stages of World War II. The German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee, commanded by Captain Hans Langsdorff, engaged three Royal Navy cruisers: HMS Exeter, HMNZS Achilles, and HMS Ajax. This naval battle was the first major naval confrontation of World War II in the South Atlantic, demonstrating the German Navy's commerce raiding strategy and the British Royal Navy's efforts to protect maritime trade routes.
  • 14 Dec 1939 Soviet Union Expelled from League of Nations over Winter War: On December 14, 1939, the League of Nations officially expelled the Soviet Union for its aggressive invasion of Finland, known as the Winter War. This diplomatic action was a significant international condemnation of Soviet military aggression against Finland.
  • 15 Dec 1939 Gone with the Wind Premiere in Atlanta: The epic historical romance film 'Gone with the Wind', starring Vivien Leigh, Clark Gable, Leslie Howard, and Olivia de Havilland, receives its world premiere at Loew's Grand Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. The film would go on to become the highest inflation-adjusted grossing film in cinema history.
  • 16 Dec 1939 Finnish Ski Troops Introduce Molotov Cocktails in Winter War: During the Winter War between Finland and the Soviet Union, Finnish ski troops pioneered the use of improvised incendiary weapons known as 'Molotov Cocktails'. These homemade explosive devices became a crucial defensive tool for Finnish forces fighting against Soviet tanks and infantry, showcasing innovative guerrilla warfare tactics.
  • 17 Dec 1939 Canadian Troops Arrive in Britain: The first contingent of Canadian military forces arrived in the United Kingdom, marking Canada's formal military commitment to the Allied war effort in World War II. This deployment signaled Canada's significant role in supporting Britain and fighting against Axis powers.
  • 18 Dec 1939 First Major Air Battle of World War II: The Battle of the Heligoland Bight marked the first significant aerial engagement of World War II, taking place over the North Sea near the German Heligoland islands. This battle was a crucial early test of aerial combat strategies and technologies.
  • 19 Dec 1939 Soviet Attack on Finnish Positions during Winter War: On December 19, 1939, Soviet forces launched a coordinated air and ground offensive against Finnish defensive positions near Summa, which was a critical location during the Winter War. This attack was part of the Soviet Union's broader military campaign to invade and annex Finnish territory, marking an intense period of conflict between the two nations.
  • 20 Dec 1939 Captain Hans Langsdorff's Tragic End in World War II: Captain Hans Langsdorff, commander of the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee, commits suicide in Buenos Aires, Argentina, following the ship's defeat in the Battle of the River Plate. His decision to take his own life was a symbolic act of personal honor, reflecting the complex moral dilemmas faced by military personnel during World War II.
  • 21 Dec 1939 Nazi Leadership Appointment: Adolf Eichmann's Role in Jewish Affairs: On December 21, 1939, Adolf Hitler appointed Adolf Eichmann as the leader of 'Referat IV B', a critical administrative department within the Nazi SS responsible for Jewish emigration and deportation policies. This appointment would prove pivotal in the systematic planning and execution of the Holocaust, with Eichmann becoming a key architect of the Nazi regime's genocidal strategies.
  • 22 Dec 1939 Finnish Counter-Offensive at Petsamo: During the Winter War, Finnish forces launched a strategic counter-offensive in the Petsamo region, demonstrating Finland's resistance against Soviet invasion.
  • 23 Dec 1939 Canadian Troops Arrive in Britain: 7,500 Canadian soldiers arrived in Britain, marking a significant moment of military cooperation and support during the early stages of World War II, reinforcing the Allied military presence.
  • 24 Dec 1939 Pope Pius XII's Christmas Eve Peace Appeal During World War II: On Christmas Eve 1939, Pope Pius XII delivered a significant papal address calling for peace amid the escalating tensions of World War II. In his heartfelt appeal, the pontiff urged world leaders and nations to seek diplomatic resolution and end the growing conflict that was threatening global stability. This moment represented a critical humanitarian intervention by the Catholic Church during one of the most tumultuous periods of the 20th century.
  • 25 Dec 1939 Introduction of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: Montgomery Ward stores officially introduced Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, a character that would become an iconic part of Christmas folklore and popular culture.
  • 26 Dec 1939 Borinage Miners' Strike in Belgium: Coal miners in the Borinage region of Belgium initiated a labor strike, likely protesting working conditions, wages, or industrial relations during the tumultuous period preceding World War II. This strike represented the ongoing labor movement and workers' rights struggles in European industrial regions.
  • 27 Dec 1939 Devastating Erzincan Earthquake: A catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake struck eastern Turkey, causing massive destruction in Erzincan. The earthquake resulted in at least 32,700 fatalities, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters of 1939.
  • 28 Dec 1939 First Flight of the B-24 Liberator Bomber: On December 28, 1939, the Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber prototype made its maiden flight, marking a significant milestone in aviation and military technology. The B-24 would go on to become one of the most widely produced American military aircraft in history, playing a crucial role during World War II as a long-range heavy bomber.
  • 29 Dec 1939 First Flight of the B-24 Liberator: The Consolidated B-24 Liberator made its maiden flight, marking a significant milestone in military aviation technology. This heavy bomber would become one of the most widely used aircraft during World War II, playing a crucial role in strategic bombing campaigns in multiple theaters of war.
  • 30 Dec 1939 Admiral Graf Spee Scuttled in River Plate Estuary: The German pocket battleship 'Admiral Graf Spee' was deliberately sunk in the River Plate Estuary near Montevideo, Uruguay, following significant damage sustained during the Battle of the River Plate, a notable early naval engagement of World War II.
  • 31 Dec 1939 Finnish Winter War Victory: During the Winter War, the Finnish military successfully decimated the Soviet Union's 163rd Division in the middle of Finland, demonstrating remarkable defensive capabilities against the Soviet invasion.