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Major Events of November 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 November 1939 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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

  • 01 Nov 1939 Oslo Report: Critical Intelligence Leak: Physicist Hans Ferdinand Mayer compiled and passed the Oslo Report to British Secret Intelligence Service, providing crucial intelligence about German weapons systems during the early stages of World War II.
  • 02 Nov 1939 Soviet Invasion of Finland: The Winter War Begins: On November 2, 1939, the Soviet Union launched a surprise military invasion of Finland without issuing a formal declaration of war. This aggressive action initiated the Winter War, a conflict that would demonstrate Finland's remarkable resistance against the significantly larger Soviet military force. The Soviet Union, under Joseph Stalin's leadership, sought to annex Finnish territory and expand its geopolitical influence, but encountered fierce and unexpected resistance from the Finnish military and population.
  • 03 Nov 1939 Nazi Germany Annexes Free City of Danzig: The Free City of Danzig, a strategically important port city with a predominantly German population, is forcibly incorporated into the Third Reich. The final resistance at the Polish Post Office is brutally suppressed, marking another significant territorial expansion by Nazi Germany in the lead-up to World War II. This annexation further destabilizes the political landscape of Eastern Europe and demonstrates Germany's aggressive territorial ambitions.
  • 04 Nov 1939 Sonderaktion Krakau: Nazi Action Against Polish Academics: During the early stages of World War II, German forces initiate Sonderaktion Krakau, a targeted operation against scientists and academics from the University of Kraków and other local universities, representing a brutal suppression of intellectual freedom.
  • 05 Nov 1939 Failed Assassination Attempt on Adolf Hitler: On November 5, 1939, a significant assassination attempt was made against Adolf Hitler at the Bürgerbräukeller in Munich. The plot, which ultimately failed, was part of a broader resistance movement against the Nazi regime. A bomb was planted with the intention of eliminating Hitler, but the Führer survived, which would have profound implications for the course of World War II and global history.
  • 06 Nov 1939 Sonderaktion Krakau: Nazi Assault on Polish Academia: During World War II, the Nazi German forces launched a brutal operation targeting Polish intellectuals in Krakow, known as Sonderaktion Krakau. This systematic attack was designed to decimate the academic leadership of Poland by arresting and deporting university professors, effectively attempting to destroy the intellectual infrastructure of the Polish nation.
  • 07 Nov 1939 World War II: Global Tensions Escalate: By November 7, 1939, World War II was in its early stages, with Nazi Germany having invaded Poland on September 1st, triggering declarations of war from Britain and France. While no specific singular event is documented for this exact date, the global geopolitical landscape was intensely volatile. Europe was experiencing significant military mobilization, diplomatic tensions, and the early phases of what would become the most destructive conflict in human history.
  • 08 Nov 1939 Assassination Attempt on Hitler in Munich: At 2120 hours, a powerful bomb exploded in the Bürgerbräukeller in Munich, killing eight people and injuring sixty-three. The bomb was strategically placed by Georg Elser in a gap beneath a wooden panel, with some historians speculating potential involvement of Heinrich Himmler in the plot. The explosion occurred just fifteen minutes after Adolf Hitler had left the building, narrowly missing the Nazi leader.
  • 09 Nov 1939 Hitler Survives Assassination Attempt: At the anniversary of the Beer Hall Putsch in Munich, Adolf Hitler narrowly escapes death when a bomb planted by communist Georg Elser fails to kill him, marking a significant moment in World War II history.
  • 10 Nov 1939 Finnish Nobel Laureate in Literature: Finnish author Frans Emil Sillanpää was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature, becoming the first Finnish writer to receive this prestigious international recognition. His works often depicted rural Finnish life and human experiences with profound psychological depth.
  • 11 Nov 1939 Kate Smith Debuts "God Bless America": On November 11, 1939, renowned singer Kate Smith first performed Irving Berlin's patriotic anthem "God Bless America" on her radio program. The song, written by Berlin in 1918 and revised in 1938, would become a significant cultural touchstone during World War II, symbolizing American unity and national pride. Smith's powerful rendition helped popularize the song, transforming it from a relatively obscure composition to a beloved national hymn.
  • 12 Nov 1939 French Diplomatic Response to German Aggression: In response to German territorial expansions, France declared that any peace negotiations would require Germany to first address and rectify the forceful annexations of Austria, Czechoslovakia, and Poland. This statement highlighted the diplomatic tensions and France's principled stance against Nazi territorial aggression in the lead-up to World War II.
  • 13 Nov 1939 Finnish Delegation Rejects Soviet Demands: The Finnish diplomatic delegation in Moscow definitively refused Soviet territorial demands and subsequently terminated the ongoing negotiations, marking a critical moment of diplomatic tension preceding the Winter War.
  • 14 Nov 1939 Polish Government Establishes Exile Headquarters in London: Following the Nazi invasion of Poland in September 1939, the Polish government officially relocated its administrative operations to London, United Kingdom. This strategic move allowed the Polish leadership to continue resistance efforts, coordinate with Allied powers, and maintain governmental continuity during World War II, symbolizing Poland's determination to resist German occupation.
  • 15 Nov 1939 Nazi Mass Murder of Warsaw Jews Begins: The Nazi German forces initiated systematic mass killings of Jewish residents in Warsaw, marking an escalation of the Holocaust and the brutal persecution of Jewish populations in occupied Poland.
  • 16 Nov 1939 France Delivers Ultimatum to Germany: The French Government issued a final diplomatic ultimatum to Germany, which went unanswered. This critical moment effectively brought France into World War II, marking a significant escalation of the conflict.
  • 17 Nov 1939 Nazi Persecution of Czech Students: On November 17, 1939, the Nazi regime executed nine Czech students in a brutal crackdown following anti-Nazi demonstrations prompted by the death of Jan Opletal. As part of this systematic oppression, all Czech universities were forcibly shut down, and over 1,200 students were deported to concentration camps. This horrific event became a pivotal moment in resistance against Nazi tyranny, leading to the establishment of International Students' Day, which is now commemorated annually in many countries, particularly in the Czech Republic.
  • 18 Nov 1939 Dutch Passenger Ship Simon Bolivar Sunk by German Mine: On November 18, 1939, during the early stages of World War II, the Netherlands KNSM passenger ship Simon Bolivar struck a German naval mine in the North Sea, approximately 20 miles off the coast of Harwich, England. The maritime disaster resulted in the tragic loss of 86 lives out of approximately 400 passengers and crew on board. This event highlighted the dangerous maritime conditions during the early period of World War II, with naval mines posing significant risks to civilian shipping.
  • 19 Nov 1939 Warsaw Ghetto Isolation Begins: Nazi German authorities officially announced the establishment of barricades around the Warsaw Ghetto, marking the beginning of strict control and segregation of Jewish districts. This action was a critical early step in the systematic isolation and persecution of Jewish populations during World War II.
  • 20 Nov 1939 Nazi Regime Escalates Anti-Semitic Economic Persecution: In a severe escalation of anti-Semitic policies, Nazi Germany blocked all Jewish assets in banks within the General Government (occupied Polish territories). Simultaneously, Adolf Hitler issued Directive No. 8, which outlined further preparations for military operations in Western Europe, signaling the impending expansion of the war.
  • 21 Nov 1939 British Government Declares Naval Blockade Against Germany: In response to maritime incidents including the sinking of the SS Athenia and SS Simon Bolivar, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announced in the House of Commons that the British government would implement a comprehensive blockade. German exports and goods of German origin would be subject to seizure on international waters, escalating economic warfare during the early stages of World War II.
  • 22 Nov 1939 British Capture of German Magnetic Mine Reveals Critical Intelligence: During World War II, the German Luftwaffe accidentally dropped an intact magnetic mine near Shoeburyness at the mouth of the Thames Estuary. This unexpected incident provided British Admiralty scientists with an unprecedented opportunity to closely examine and comprehend the sophisticated mechanism of German naval mine technology. By studying the unexploded device, British experts could develop effective countermeasures and defensive strategies against this advanced naval weapon, significantly enhancing their maritime defense capabilities.
  • 23 Nov 1939 Nazi Gov of Poland Hans Frank requires Jews to wear a blue star
  • 24 Nov 1939 Soviet Shelling of Mainila: In a calculated false flag operation, Soviet artillery deliberately shelled the Finnish border village of Mainila, creating a fabricated pretext for invasion. This provocative incident marked the beginning of the Winter War between the Soviet Union and Finland, showcasing Soviet strategic deception and territorial aggression.
  • 25 Nov 1939 World War II: Quiet Period in European Theater: On November 25, 1939, during the early stages of World War II, tensions remained high across Europe following the German invasion of Poland in September. While no major military engagements were recorded on this specific date, the conflict was simmering, with both Allied and Axis powers preparing their strategic positions. The period was characterized by diplomatic maneuvering and military preparations, known as the 'Phoney War' or 'Sitzkrieg', where active combat was minimal but the threat of escalation was constant.
  • 26 Nov 1939 Shelling of Mainila: Soviet False Flag Operation: The Soviet Army deliberately orchestrated a staged artillery attack on the village of Mainila near the Finnish-Russian border, creating a fabricated pretext for military intervention. This calculated provocation was designed to provide a false justification for launching the Winter War against Finland, a significant geopolitical manipulation that would soon lead to armed conflict.
  • 27 Nov 1939 World War II Period - No Specific Event Recorded: While no specific historical event was documented for November 27, 1939, this date falls within the early stages of World War II. By this time, Nazi Germany had already invaded Poland in September, triggering the war's outbreak. The European powers were in a state of heightened tension, with military preparations and strategic movements ongoing across the continent.
  • 28 Nov 1939 Soviet Abrogation of Non-Aggression Pact with Finland: The Soviet government unilaterally revokes the non-attack treaty with Finland, signaling escalating tensions and setting the stage for the imminent Winter War. This diplomatic action represents a critical moment in Soviet expansionist policies preceding World War II.
  • 29 Nov 1939 Soviet Union Severs Diplomatic Ties with Finland: The Soviet Union officially terminates diplomatic relations with Finland, escalating tensions in the lead-up to the Winter War. This diplomatic rupture signals the imminent military conflict between the two nations, which would begin shortly after this date.
  • 30 Nov 1939 Soviet Invasion of Finland - Winter War Begins: The Soviet Union launches a military offensive against Finland, initiating the Winter War. Soviet forces conduct air raids on Helsinki and cross the Finnish border with substantial military resources, marking the start of a significant conflict during the early stages of World War II.