What Happened on June 17, 1939

Historical Events

  • 44th Women's French Championships: Simonne Mathieu beats Jadwiga Jedrzejowska (6-3, 8-6)

French Men's Championship

French Championships Men's Tennis: American collegiate champion Don McNeill beats countryman Bobby Riggs 7-5, 6-0, 6-3

  • Last public guillotining in France. Eugen Weidmann, a convicted murderer, is guillotined in Versailles outside the prison Saint-Pierre

Famous Birthdays

  • Donald Anderson, British Labour Party politician, born in Swansea, Wales
  • Hanna Johansen, Swiss writer, born in Bremen, Germany
  • James Gadson, American drummer and session musician, born in Kansas City, Missouri

Famous Deaths

  • Eugene Weldman, the last person to be publicly guillotined in France, dies at 31. When asked if he had remorse for his victims he had killed, he replied, “Remorse, what for? I didn’t even know them”
Died in 1939 1939 Highlights

About June 17, 1939

Day of the Week: Saturday
How Long Ago? 84 years, 10 months and 11 days
Leap Year: No

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Rabbit
Star Sign: Gemini