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Major Events of December 1940: 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 1940 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of December 1940: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Dec 1940 Richard Pryor's Birth: Legendary comedian and actor Richard Pryor was born in Peoria, Illinois, who would become one of the most influential stand-up comedians in American history.
  • 02 Dec 1940 German U-Boat Attack on Allied Convoy HX 90 During World War II: On December 2, 1940, during the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II, the German submarine U-101 located and engaged Allied convoy HX 90. Over the course of two days (December 2-3), the U-boat successfully sank 11 merchant ships, dealing a significant blow to Allied maritime supply lines. This attack was part of the ongoing German naval strategy to disrupt British maritime trade and weaken the Allied war effort through submarine warfare.
  • 03 Dec 1940 German U-boats Devastate Allied Convoy HX 90 in World War II: During the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II, German U-boats launched a devastating attack on Allied convoy HX 90, successfully sinking 11 merchant ships between December 1 and December 3, 1940. This attack was part of the German naval strategy to disrupt Allied maritime supply lines and weaken their war effort by targeting crucial shipping routes.
  • 04 Dec 1940 Greek Forces Capture Përmet from Italians: During World War II, Greek forces successfully captured the town of Përmet and took 500 Italian soldiers as prisoners. This event was part of the larger Greco-Italian War, where Greece successfully resisted the Italian invasion.
  • 05 Dec 1940 Death of Jan Kubelfk, Czechoslovak Violinist: Jan Kubelfk, an Austro-Hungarian-born Czechoslovak violinist who was a notable musician of his era, passed away on this date. Born in 1880, Kubelfk was a significant contributor to the classical music scene during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • 06 Dec 1940 Pietro Badoglio Resigns as Army Chief of Staff: Field Marshal Pietro Badoglio was removed from his position as Chief of Staff of the Italian Army due to military setbacks in Greece. He was replaced by Ugo Cavallero, marking a significant leadership change during World War II.
  • 07 Dec 1940 Hitler's Diplomatic Meeting with Ambassador Alfieri: In a significant diplomatic encounter, German leader Adolf Hitler met with Italian Ambassador Alfieri, strongly discouraging Italy from attacking Greece. Hitler also authorized the deployment of fifty heavy troop transport planes to facilitate the movement of Italian units to Albania, demonstrating Germany's strategic involvement in Balkan affairs.
  • 08 Dec 1940 Mussolini Seeks German Aid: Facing mounting challenges in the Greco-Italian War, Benito Mussolini dispatched Italian Ambassador Dino Alfieri to Berlin to request immediate German assistance. During the meeting with Joachim von Ribbentrop, Alfieri received a stern rebuke for Italy's disregard of Hitler's prior warnings against attacking Greece.
  • 09 Dec 1940 Operation Compass: British Offensive in Egypt: During World War II, British and Indian troops under the command of Major-General Richard O'Connor launched a strategic attack against Italian forces near Sidi Barrani in Egypt, marking a significant moment in the North African campaign.
  • 10 Dec 1940 British anti-offensive in Libya (Sidi Barrani).
  • 11 Dec 1940 British Victory in North African Campaign: Royal Navy bombers launch strategic attacks on Italian-held Sollum, simultaneously capturing the Italian Catanzaro Division. This significant engagement results in the surrender of approximately 30,000 Italian prisoners of war, marking a decisive moment in the North African theater during World War II.
  • 12 Dec 1940 Plutonium First Synthesized: Scientists Glenn T. Seaborg and Edwin McMillan at the University of California, Berkeley, successfully synthesized plutonium in a groundbreaking laboratory experiment, marking a pivotal moment in nuclear science.
  • 13 Dec 1940 Hitler's Directive for Operation Marita: Adolf Hitler issued Directive No. 20, outlining the strategic plans for the German invasion of Greece, codenamed Operation Marita. This directive was a crucial step in the Axis powers' expansion strategy during World War II.
  • 14 Dec 1940 Hitler's Directive for Greek Invasion: Adolf Hitler issued Directive No. 20, codenamed Operation Marita, outlining the strategic plans for the German invasion of Greece. This directive represented a critical moment in World War II's Balkan campaign, signaling Germany's intent to support its Italian ally and expand its territorial control.
  • 15 Dec 1940 Hitler's Directive for Greek Invasion: Adolf Hitler issued Directive No. 20, formally outlining the strategic plans for Operation Marita, the German invasion of Greece, which would significantly expand the European theater of World War II.
  • 16 Dec 1940 RAF Bombing of Mannheim: British Royal Air Force (RAF) conducted a strategic bombing raid on the German city of Mannheim during World War II.
  • 17 Dec 1940 Roosevelt Introduces Lend-Lease Aid Plan: President Franklin D. Roosevelt outlined his groundbreaking plan to provide military aid to Great Britain during his regular press conference. This proposal would become known as the Lend-Lease program, a critical strategy to support Allied efforts in World War II without direct military engagement.
  • 18 Dec 1940 Hitler's Operation Barbarossa Directive: Adolf Hitler issued Directive No. 21, outlining the strategic plans for the German invasion of the Soviet Union, codenamed Operation Barbarossa. This directive would mark a critical turning point in World War II, representing a massive military operation that would dramatically alter the course of the conflict.
  • 19 Dec 1940 US Military Aid to China: US President Franklin D. Roosevelt approved $25 million in military aid to the Republic of China, enabling the Nationalist government to purchase one hundred P-40 pursuit aircraft to support their resistance against Japanese invasion.
  • 20 Dec 1940 Liverpool Endures First Night of Christmas Blitz: During World War II, German Luftwaffe aircraft begin a three-night bombing campaign targeting Liverpool, known as the Christmas Blitz. This devastating aerial assault was part of the broader strategic bombing of British cities aimed at breaking civilian morale and disrupting war production.
  • 21 Dec 1940 Death of F. Scott Fitzgerald: Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, renowned American novelist and key figure of the Jazz Age, died of a heart attack in Hollywood, California. Best known for his masterpiece 'The Great Gatsby' and his tumultuous relationship with his wife Zelda, Fitzgerald passed away at the tragically young age of 44, cutting short a brilliant literary career that profoundly influenced 20th-century American literature.
  • 22 Dec 1940 Manchester Blitz Intensifies: On December 22, 1940, the Manchester Blitz reached its most intense phase, with German Luftwaffe aircraft conducting heavy bombing raids on the industrial city of Manchester, United Kingdom. These raids were part of the broader strategic bombing campaign targeting British cities during World War II.
  • 23 Dec 1940 Churchill's Powerful Radio Address to Italy: During World War II, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill delivered a passionate broadcast to the Italian people, criticizing Benito Mussolini for dragging Italy into a war against Britain, a nation with which Italy historically shared a friendship. Churchill's eloquent speech dramatically condemned Mussolini, describing him as having aligned Italy with 'ferocious pagan barbarians' and betraying the noble legacy of ancient Rome.
  • 24 Dec 1940 Roosevelt's 'Arsenal of Democracy' Speech: President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers a landmark fireside chat, declaring the United States must become 'the great arsenal of democracy', signaling America's pivotal role in supporting Allied forces during World War II and preparing for potential military engagement.
  • 25 Dec 1940 Hitler's Strategic Meeting with French Naval Commander: On Christmas Day 1940, Adolf Hitler met with French naval commander François Darlan near Beauvais. During this tense diplomatic encounter, Hitler expressed significant frustration, specifically criticizing the Italian military's performance during World War II. This meeting highlighted the complex political dynamics between Nazi Germany and Vichy France during the early years of the conflict.
  • 26 Dec 1940 Edward C. Prescott Birth: Edward C. Prescott, a notable American economist, was born. He would later win the Bank of Sweden Prize (Nobel Prize in Economics) for his contributions to dynamic macroeconomics, particularly business cycle theory.
  • 27 Dec 1940 Greek Troops Capture Pogradec During Greco-Italian War: On December 27, 1940, during the Greco-Italian War, Greek military forces successfully captured the strategic town of Pogradec, located in southeastern Albania. This military operation was part of the broader Greek counteroffensive against Italian invasion forces, demonstrating the Greek army's resilience and tactical capabilities during World War II.
  • 28 Dec 1940 Arthur Morris Cricket Performance: Australian cricketer Arthur Morris demonstrated exceptional batting prowess by scoring 111 runs in the second innings of a cricket match, following a remarkable first innings score of 148. This performance highlighted Morris's consistency and skill as a batsman during the early 1940s.
  • 29 Dec 1940 Second Great Fire of London: On the night of 29–30 December 1940, the Luftwaffe launched a devastating aerial bombardment of London during World War II. Approximately 100,000 incendiary bombs were dropped by 136 German bombers, targeting non-residential buildings like churches, offices, and warehouses. Each bomber carried around 180 small magnesium-based incendiary bombs measuring 12 by 3 inches. The raid initiated 1,500 separate fires across the city, exploiting gaps in the Fire Watchers Order of September 1940.
  • 30 Dec 1940 Second Great Fire of London During the Blitz: On the night of 29-30 December 1940, London experienced one of the most destructive air raids of World War II. Approximately 100,000 incendiary bombs were dropped by 136 German bombers, primarily targeting non-residential buildings like churches, offices, and warehouses. Many buildings were vulnerable due to exemptions in the Fire Watchers Order.
  • 31 Dec 1940 RAF Bombing Raids Across Multiple Locations: Royal Air Force (RAF) bombers conducted strategic bombing missions targeting multiple locations, including Vlorë on the Greco-Italian front, Rotterdam and IJmuiden in Nazi-occupied Netherlands, and the German cities of Emmerich am Rhein and Cologne, demonstrating the expanding scope of aerial warfare during World War II.