Jan 01general
1939 New York World's Fair
fair held at Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York
1939.
What happened in 1939?
In 1939, World War II began in Europe with Germany's invasion of Poland in September. Before the war started, several key diplomatic agreements were made: the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, and the Pact of Steel between Germany and Italy. This year saw the opening of the Western Front, involving major European nations such as France, Britain, and Germany. During this time, the Nazi genocide campaigns also started the systematic persecution of the Roma people, known as the Porajmos.
Events
53
Births
39
Deaths
9
Era
1930s
Modern Era / World Wars
Chronology of 1939
Documented Historical Record
January
01.1939Jan 01war
Jan 01general
Jan 01war
Jan 01general
Jan 01war
Jan 01general
Jan 01war
Jan 01war
Jan 01war
Jan 01war
Jan 01general
Jan 01sports
Jan 01general
Jan 24disaster
February
02.1939Feb 23war
11th Academy Awards
award ceremony presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences for achievement in filmmaking in 1938
March
03.1939Mar 18politics
Mar 20general
1939 German ultimatum to Lithuania
1939 German diplomatic demand on LIthuania
Mar 23politics
May
05.1939May 09war
May 22general
June
06.1939August
08.1939Aug 02politics
Einstein–Szilárd letter
letter by Leó Szilárd and Albert Einstein to US President Roosevelt in August 1939
Aug 23general
Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact
1939 neutrality pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union
Aug 26general
Cvetković–Maček Agreement
political compromise on internal divisions in the Kingdom of Yugoslavia
Aug 31war
September
09.1939Sep 01war
Sep 01war
Sep 01war
Intelligenzaktion
secret mass murder conducted by Nazi Germany against the Polish intelligentsia early in the Second World War
Sep 01war
Sep 01war
Sep 01war
Sep 03war
Western Front
military theatre of World War II encompassing Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Germany
Sep 03general
Sep 08war
Sep 16war
Slovak invasion of Poland
event during Nazi Germany's invasion of Poland in September 1939
Sep 22war
Sep 22war
Sep 23war
Sep 28war
Sep 28politics
Sep 28politics
German–Soviet Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Demarcation
1939 treaty signed by Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union
October
10.1939Oct 01war
Oct 05politics
Oct 10politics
Oct 16war
November
11.1939Nov 26war
Shelling of Mainila
military incident staged by the Soviet Union used to justify the Winter War
December
12.1939Dec 01war
Dec 12war
Dec 13war
Dec 22war
Dec 26disaster
End of 1939 Record · 53 events
Historical Significance
Context & Impact
In 1939, World War II began in Europe with Germany's invasion of Poland in September. Before the war started, several key diplomatic agreements were made: the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, and the Pact of Steel between Germany and Italy. This year saw the opening of the Western Front, involving major European nations such as France, Britain, and Germany. During this time, the Nazi genocide campaigns also started the systematic persecution of the Roma people, known as the Porajmos.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What major events happened in 1939?
In 1939, World War II began with Germany's invasion of Poland in September. Important diplomatic events included the signing of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union and the Pact of Steel between Germany and Italy.
When did World War II start in 1939?
World War II started on September 1, 1939, when Germany invaded Poland. Britain and France declared war on Germany on September 3, opening the Western Front.
What was the Battle of the River Plate in 1939?
The Battle of the River Plate was a naval fight in December 1939 between British cruisers and the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee off Uruguay's coast. It was one of the first major naval battles of the war, leading to the German warship being scuttled.
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