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

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

  • 01 Nov 1940 Battle of Elaia–Kalamas Begins: The Battle of Elaia–Kalamas, a significant engagement during the Greco-Italian War, commenced on November 1, 1940, with intense military operations continuing into the next day.
  • 02 Nov 1940 Heroic Aviation Incident in World War II: In an extraordinary display of aerial combat and bravery, Greek Air Force pilot Marinos Mitralexis executed a remarkable feat during World War II. After exhausting his ammunition, he deliberately rammed an Italian bomber and then landed his aircraft. Upon the enemy crew's parachute landing, he proceeded to capture them, showcasing exceptional courage and tactical ingenuity.
  • 03 Nov 1940 Greek Counteroffensive Against Italian Invasion: During the Greco-Italian War, Greek forces successfully recaptured the strategic mountain village of Samarina from Italian invaders. This action marked the beginning of the Battle of Elaia–Kalamas, a significant engagement that demonstrated Greek resistance against the Axis powers' attempt to occupy Greece during World War II.
  • 04 Nov 1940 Wendell Willkie's Historic 1940 Campaign Tour: In the 1940 presidential election, Republican candidate Wendell Willkie conducted an unprecedented campaign tour that set records for its extensive reach. He delivered 540 speeches while traveling approximately 30,000 miles across the United States, demonstrating remarkable stamina and commitment to engaging directly with voters during a critical period in American history.
  • 05 Nov 1940 Franklin D. Roosevelt Wins Unprecedented Third Presidential Term: In a historic election, Democratic incumbent Franklin D. Roosevelt defeated Republican challenger Wendell Willkie, becoming the first and only U.S. President to be elected to a third consecutive term. The election was notably close, with Roosevelt winning approximately 27 million votes compared to Willkie's 22 million, marking the most competitive presidential race in 25 years.
  • 06 Nov 1940 Franklin D. Roosevelt Wins Third Presidential Term: President Franklin D. Roosevelt was re-elected for an unprecedented third term, solidifying his leadership during the critical early years of World War II and the ongoing Great Depression.
  • 07 Nov 1940 Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse: In the U.S. state of Washington, the middle section of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge, nicknamed 'Galloping Gertie', dramatically collapsed into Puget Sound during a severe windstorm. The bridge, which had only been open to traffic for four months, was a remarkable engineering failure that became a seminal case study in structural dynamics and wind-induced vibration. At least two vehicles were on the bridge at the time, but remarkably, all occupants managed to escape safely. The collapse highlighted critical engineering principles about bridge design and aerodynamic stability.
  • 08 Nov 1940 RAF Bombing of Munich: Royal Air Force (RAF) conducted a strategic bombing raid on the city of Munich, a significant German urban center, during World War II. This mission was part of the broader Allied air campaign targeting key German industrial and strategic locations.
  • 09 Nov 1940 German Invasion of Norway and Denmark: Nazi Germany launches a surprise military operation, simultaneously invading Norway and Denmark as part of its broader World War II expansion strategy, marking a significant escalation of the conflict in Northern Europe.
  • 10 Nov 1940 First Aircraft Carrier Strike in World War II: During World War II, the Royal Navy launched a groundbreaking naval attack by conducting the first aircraft carrier strike in history, targeting the Italian battleship fleet anchored at the Taranto naval base. This strategic operation demonstrated the emerging importance of naval aviation in modern warfare.
  • 11 Nov 1940 Battle of Taranto: First Aircraft Carrier Naval Strike: On November 11, 1940, the Royal Navy executed a groundbreaking naval attack using aircraft, marking the first all-aircraft ship-to-ship naval assault in military history. 21 obsolete Fairey Swordfish torpedo bombers launched from the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious struck the Italian naval base at Taranto, dramatically altering the strategic balance in the Mediterranean theater of World War II.
  • 12 Nov 1940 Molotov Visits Berlin to Discuss Potential Axis Alignment: Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov traveled to Berlin to negotiate the potential inclusion of the Soviet Union in the Axis Powers, a diplomatic mission that would have significant geopolitical implications during World War II.
  • 13 Nov 1940 Disney's Fantasia Premieres with Revolutionary Sound Technology: RKO Radio Pictures world premiered Disney's third animated feature film, Fantasia, at New York's Broadway Theater. The film introduced stereophonic sound to motion pictures via a groundbreaking sound system called Fantasound. This landmark film marked Mickey Mouse's feature film debut, specifically in the iconic segment 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice'.
  • 14 Nov 1940 Coventry Blitz: German Bombing of Coventry: During World War II, German Luftwaffe bombers launched a devastating aerial attack on the city of Coventry, England, causing massive destruction. The bombing raid, codenamed Operation Mondlicht Sonate (Moonlight Sonata), was one of the most significant and brutal air raids of the war, targeting the city's industrial infrastructure and historic buildings.
  • 15 Nov 1940 Coventry Blitz: Devastating German Air Raid: During World War II, the Luftwaffe conducted a catastrophic bombing raid on Coventry, England. Using advanced electronic navigation, German aircraft systematically destroyed the city's infrastructure, manufacturing facilities, and historic buildings. The raid resulted in 568 civilian deaths, over 1,200 injuries, and widespread destruction of urban areas, including Coventry Cathedral.
  • 16 Nov 1940 Sealing of the Warsaw Ghetto: During World War II, the Nazis officially sealed off the Warsaw Ghetto, isolating approximately 380,000 Jewish residents from the outside world. This marked a critical moment in the Holocaust, dramatically restricting the movement and basic human rights of the Jewish population.
  • 17 Nov 1940 RAF Command Leadership Change: Sholto Douglas replaced Sir Hugh Dowding as Commander-in-Chief of RAF Fighter Command, a critical leadership transition during World War II that would impact British air defense strategies.
  • 18 Nov 1940 Hitler and Ciano Discuss Greek Invasion Failure: During World War II, German leader Adolf Hitler and Italian Foreign Minister Galeazzo Ciano held a critical meeting to discuss the disastrous Italian invasion of Greece, which had significant strategic implications for the Axis powers.
  • 19 Nov 1940 Devastating German Air Raid on Birmingham: During the Blitz, the German Luftwaffe conducted a massive aerial bombardment of Birmingham, England. Approximately 440 bombers participated in the raid, resulting in 450 civilian casualties. This attack was part of Nazi Germany's strategic bombing campaign against British cities during World War II, aimed at breaking British morale and industrial capacity.
  • 20 Nov 1940 Hungary Joins Tripartite Pact: On November 20, 1940, Hungary officially signed the Tripartite Pact, aligning itself with Germany, Japan, and Italy during World War II. This strategic diplomatic move positioned Hungary as a key member of the Axis Powers, significantly impacting the geopolitical landscape of Europe during the war.
  • 21 Nov 1940 Nazi Espionage Threat in US Cities: The United States government publicly revealed the presence of Nazi agents operating in eight major American cities, warning of potential sabotage, espionage, propaganda dissemination, and efforts to create social discord during the early stages of World War II.
  • 22 Nov 1940 Greek Counterattack in Albania during World War II: During World War II, Greek troops launched a significant counteroffensive against Italian forces in Albania, successfully capturing the strategic city of Korytsa. This military action demonstrated the Greek army's resilience and ability to resist the Italian invasion, marking a crucial moment in the early stages of the conflict in the Balkans.
  • 23 Nov 1940 Romania Joins the Tripartite Pact: Romania officially becomes a signatory of the Tripartite Pact, aligning with the Axis Powers during World War II. This strategic political move significantly altered Romania's geopolitical position during the conflict.
  • 24 Nov 1940 Greek Victory Against Italian Forces: During World War II, on November 24, 1940, the Greek army achieved a significant military victory by defeating the Italian IX Army at Koritsa (Korçë). This battle was part of the larger Greco-Italian War and represented an important moment of resistance against Axis expansion in the Balkans.
  • 25 Nov 1940 Patria Disaster in Haifa: The French-built ocean liner SS Patria sank in the port of Haifa, resulting in a tragic loss of approximately 200 illegal immigrants' lives during World War II.
  • 26 Nov 1940 Warsaw Jewish Ghetto Establishment: Nazi Germany forcibly confined approximately 500,000 Jews within a walled ghetto in Warsaw, marking a critical moment in the Holocaust's systematic persecution and isolation of Jewish populations.
  • 27 Nov 1940 Battle of Cape Spartivento in Mediterranean: During World War II, a naval engagement occurred between the British Royal Navy and the Italian Regia Marina in the Mediterranean Sea, representing an important naval confrontation in the ongoing conflict.
  • 28 Nov 1940 Luftwaffe Bombing of Bristol During the Blitz: During World War II, the German Luftwaffe conducted a devastating bombing raid on Bristol city centre, resulting in approximately 200 civilian casualties. This attack was part of the broader German strategic bombing campaign against British cities known as the Blitz.
  • 29 Nov 1940 Chuck Mangione: Jazz Musician Emerges: Chuck Mangione, a renowned jazz flugelhorn player and composer, was born on this date. Known for his smooth jazz style and crossover appeal, Mangione would later become famous for his hit instrumental 'Feels So Good' and his significant contributions to contemporary jazz music. His ability to blend jazz with pop sensibilities made him a unique figure in the music industry during the 1970s and 1980s.
  • 30 Nov 1940 Romania Joins Tripartite Pact: Romania officially joined the Tripartite Pact, aligning itself with the Axis powers during World War II and significantly shifting the geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe.