What Happened in January 1940

Historical Events

Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet

Jan 11 Sergei Prokofiev's ballet "Romeo & Juliet" premieres in Leningrad

Jan 12 World War II: Soviets bombs cities in Finland.
Jan 14 2nd NFL All Star Game, Gilmore Stadium, LA, CA: Green Bay Packers beat NFL All-Stars, 16-7

Free Agency to Tigers Players

Jan 14 MLB Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis gives free agency to 91 Detroit Tigers minor league players

1st MLB Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis

Jan 15 German U-Boot torpedoes Dutch merchant ship Arendskerk (Eagle's Church)
Jan 19 LPGA Titleholders Championship Women's Golf, Augusta CC: Helen Hicks wins by 1 stroke ahead of Helen Dettweiler

"You Nazty Spy!"

Jan 19 The Three Stooges film "You Nazty Spy!" about the Nazis released with the disclaimer "Any resemblance between the characters in this picture and any persons, living or dead, is a miracle."

Jan 21 Foreign correspondents in the Netherlands subjected to censorship
Jan 22 1st radio broadcast of "Road to Happiness" on CBS

The Grapes of Wrath

Jan 24 "The Grapes of Wrath", directed by John Ford and based on John Steinbeck's novel of the same name, starring Henry Fonda and Jane Darwell, is released

Jan 25 Nazi decrees establishment of Jewish ghetto in Lodz Poland
Jan 26 Nazis forbid Polish Jews to travel on trains
Jan 27 -17°F (-27°C), CCC Camp F-16, Georgia (state record)
Jan 28 Chicago's Les Cunningham scores 5 points in one period to set an NHL record that stands until 1978; records 2 goals & 3 assists in a 10:04 span during the 3d period of an 8-1 win over Montreal

Quist Defeats Crawford

Jan 29 Australian Championships men's Tennis: Australian Adrian Quist beats countryman Jack Crawford 6-3, 6-1, 6-2 for his 2nd Australian title

Jan 29 Australian Championships Women's Tennis: Nancye Wynne Bolton wins her 2nd Australian singles titles; beats Thelma Coyne 5-7, 6-4, 6-0

Les Illuminations

Jan 30 Benjamin Britten's song cycle "Les Illuminations" premieres at Aeolian Hall, London, England with soprano Sophie Wyss and the Boyd Neel Orchestra

Jan 30 Cor Jongert wins 6th Dutch 11 Cities Skating Race
Jan 30 Hassett's second 122 of the game for Vic can't stop a NSW win
Jan 31 C Turney & J Horwin's "My Dear Children" premieres in NYC

Events in 1940

Famous Birthdays

Jan 1 László Sáry, Hungarian classical pianist and composer (12 Haiku; Flowers of Heaven), born in Győrasszonyfa, Hungary
Jan 1 Marlin McKeever, American NFL linebacker (Pro Bowl 1966; LA Rams), born in Cheyenne, Wyoming (d. 2006)
Jan 1 Richard Orton, British modern classical and electronic music composer, performer, and educator (University of York, 1967-96), born in England (d. 2013)
Jan 1 Ruly Carpenter, American baseball executive (principal owner and president Philadelphia Phillies 1972-81), born in Wilmington, Delaware (d. 2021)
Jan 2 S. R. S. Varadhan, Indian-American mathematician
Jan 3 Bernard Blaut, Polish soccer midfielder (36 caps; KP Legia Warsaw, FC Metz) and manager (UAE), born in Krapkowice, Poland (d. 2007)
Jan 3 Thelma Schoonmaker, actress/editor (Casino, Cape Fear, Good Fellas)
Jan 3 Tsutomu Hanahara, Japanese freestyle wrestler (Olympic gold flyweight 1964), born in Shimonoseki, Japan (d. 2024)
Jan 4 Anthony "Skooter" Teague, American screen and stage actor (How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying; No, No, Nanette), born in Jacksboro, Texas (d. 1989)
Jan 4 Brian Josephson, Welsh physicist (Nobel Prize, 1973), born in Cardiff, Wales
Jan 4 Gao Xingjian, Chinese-born French novelist and dramatist (Nobel laureate, 2000), born in Ganzhou, China
Jan 4 Helmut Jahn, German-American architect who designed the O'Hare United Airlines Terminal and the Thompson Center in Chicago and One Liberty Place in Philadelphia, born in Nuremberg, Germany (d. 2021) [1] [2]
Jan 4 Léon Semmeling, Belgian soccer midfielder who played 35 internationals; Standard Liège 449 games, born in Moelingen, Belgium (d. 2024)
Jan 5 Athol Guy, Australian folk-pop bassist and singer (The Seekers - "Georgy Girl"), born in Colac, Australia
Jan 5 Michael O'Donoghue, American writer and performer (Saturday Night Live, Scrooged), born in Sauquoit, New York (d. 1994)
Jan 5 Michael Rose, British army officer, born in British India

Jan 5 Yuri Ershov, Russian mathematician, born in Novosibirsk, Russia
Jan 6 Ed Zschau, American politician (Rep-R-CA, 1983- ), born in Omaha, Nebraska
Jan 6 Laudir de Oliveira, Brazilian percussionist (Sérgio Mendes; Chicago, 1973-81), born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (d. 2017)
Jan 6 Penny Lernoux, American journalist, born in California (d. 1989)
Jan 6 Van McCoy, American musician and songwriter ("The Hustle"), born in Englewood, New Jersey (d. 1979)
Jan 8 Cristy Lane, American country music and gospel singer, born in Peoria, Illinois
Jan 8 Gianni Di Marzio, Italian soccer manager (Napoli, Catania, Genoa, Lecce, Palermo FC), born in Naples, Kingdom of Italy (d. 2022)
Jan 9 Al Downing, American rockabilly piano player and singer (Big Al & The Chartbusters), born in Centralia, Oklahoma (d. 2005)
Jan 9 Barbara Buczek, Polish pianist, composer (Anekumena – Concerto for 89 Instruments; Two Impressions), and teacher, born in Kraków, Poland (d. 1993)
Jan 9 Jimmy Boyd, American singer ("I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"), and actor (Bachelor Father - "Howard"), born in Jayess, Mississippi (d. 2009)
Jan 9 Ruth Dreifuss, Swiss politician (President of Switzerland, 1999; Vice-President of Switzerland, 1998), born in St. Gallen, Switzerland
Jan 10 Guy Chevrette, Quebec politician, born in Québec, Canada
Jan 10 Harry Gant, American race car driver, born in Taylorsville, North Carolina
Jan 10 Ntare VI of Ankole, Omugabe of Nkole
Jan 11 Mark DeVoto, American composer (Hodayot; Pavane and Zortzico), and musicologist (Schubert), born in Cambridge, Massachusetts

Jan 12 Dick Motz, New Zealand cricket all-rounder (32 Tests, 100 wickets, BB 6/63; Canterbury CA), born in Christchurch, New Zealand (d. 2007)
Jan 12 Ronald Shannon Jackson, American avant-garde jazz and funk drummer, and composer (Cecil Taylor; Last Exit; Decoding Society), born in Fort Worth, Texas (d. 2013)
Jan 13 Edmund White, American author
Jan 14 Julian Bond, American civil rights leader and politician (D-Ga), born in Nashville Tennessee (d. 2015)
Jan 17 Fred Hill, English soccer forward (2 caps; Bolton Wanderers 375 games), born in Sheffield, England (d. 2021)
Jan 17 Kipchoge "Kip" Keino, Kenyan athlete (Olympic gold 1,500m 1968, 3k steeplechase 1972), born in Kipsamo, Kenya
Jan 17 Leighton Rees, Welsh darts player (BDO World Champion 1978), born in Ynysybwl, Glamorgan, Wales (d. 2003)
Jan 17 Oswald Mbuyiseni Mtshali, South African poet (Fireflames)
Jan 17 Richard Maloof, American bassist and tuba player (Lawrence Welk Orchestra, 1967-82), born in Sacramento, California
Jan 17 Tabaré Vázquez, Uruguayan politician and physician, President of Uruguay (2005-10, 2015-20), born in Montevideo, Uruguay (d. 2020) [1]
Jan 18 Pat Britt, American jazz saxophonist, flute player, and producer, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (d. 2022)
Jan 18 Pedro Rodriguez, Mexican racing driver (Le Mans, 1968), born in Mexico City (d. 1971)
Jan 19 Barend J du Plessis, South African minister of Finance (1984- )

Mary Mills (84 years old)

Jan 19 American golfer (US Open 1963, PGA 1964, 73), born in Laurel, Mississippi

Jan 19 Mike Reid, English comedian (d. 2007)
Jan 19 Paolo Borsellino, Italian magistrate (d. 1992)
Jan 20 Carol Heiss Jenkins, American figure skater (Olympic gold singles 1960; silver 1956; World C'ship gold 1956–1960), born in New York City
Jan 20 Jorge Peixinho, Portuguese pianist, composer, and conductor, born in Montijo, Portugal (d. 1995)
Jan 20 Krishnam Raju, Indian actor and politician, born in Mogalthur, India
Jan 20 Lars-Åke Lagrell, Swedish sports administrator (President Swedish Football Association 1991-2012) and politician (Governor Kronoberg County), born in Växjö, Sweden (d. 2020)

Jack Nicklaus (84 years old)

Jan 21 American golfer (18 major titles, 73 PGA Tour titles), born in Columbus, Ohio

Jan 21 Robin Russell, 14th Duke of Bedford, English peer (Woburn Abbey, Country House TV series), born at the Ritz, London (d. 2003)
Jan 22 Addie "Micki" Harris, American pop singer (Shirelles - "Will You Love Me Tomorrow"; "Soldier Boy"), born in Passaic, New Jersey (d. 1982)
Jan 22 Eberhard Weber, German acoustic and electric double bassist, cellist and chamber jazz and ambient music composer, born in Stuttgart, Germany
Jan 22 George Seifert, American football coach
Jan 22 John Hurt, English actor (Elephant Man, Alien, Midnight Express), born in Chesterfield (d. 2017)
Jan 22 Tilo Medek [Müller-Medek], German composer (Die Todesfuge), musicologist, and music publisher, born in Jena, Germany (d. 2006)
Jan 23 Brian Labone, English soccer defender (26 caps; Everton FC 451 games), born in Liverpool, England (d. 2006)
Jan 23 Jimmy Castor, American pop & funk musician ("Troglodyte (Cave Man)", Jimmy Castor Bunch), born in New York City (d. 2012)
Jan 23 Johnny Russell, American country singer, born in Moorhead, Mississippi (d. 2001)
Jan 23 Stjepan Lamza, Croatian soccer midfielder (7 caps Yugoslavia; GNK Dinamo Zagreb), born in Sisak, Croatia (d. 2022)
Jan 24 Dave Getz, American drummer (Big Brother & The Holding Company), born in Brooklyn, New York
Jan 25 Jürgen Sundermann, German soccer manager (Servette, VfB Stuttgart, Schalke 04, Strasbourg, Hertha BSC) and midfielder (1 cap West Germany; FC Basel, Servette), born in Mülheim, Germany (d. 2022)
Jan 26 Harold Lederman, American boxing judge, analyst (HBO), born in New York City (d. 2019)
Jan 27 Brian T O'Leary, astronaut, born in Boston, Massachusetts
Jan 27 James Cromwell, American actor (Babe, The Green Mile), born in Los Angeles, California

Carlos Slim (84 years old)

Jan 28 Mexican business magnate (América Móvil) once ranked as the richest person in the world, born in Mexico City

Jan 29 Justino DÍaz, Puerto Rican opera singer, born in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Jan 29 Katharine Ross, American actress (Graduate, Francesca-Colbys), born in Hollywood, California
Jan 29 Kunimitsu Takahashi, Japanese motorcycle racer (1st Japanese rider to win GP race 1961) and auto racer (4 x All-Japan Sports Prototype C'ship), born in Tokyo, Japan (d. 2022)
Jan 30 David C. Johnson, American composer, flautist, educator, and electronic music performer (Stockhausen), born in Batavia, New York (d. 2021)
Jan 31 Stuart Margolin, American Emmy Award-winning actor (The Rockford Files - "Angel"; Love American Style), and director, born in Davenport, Iowa (d. 2022) [1]

Born in 1940

Famous Weddings

Harold Wilson

Jan 1 68th Prime Minister of UK Harold Wilson (23) weds poet Mary Baldwin (23) in the chapel of Mansfield College, Oxford

Jan 2 Archibald Campbell Mzoliza Jordan, Xhosa writer, linguist and academic and outspoken critic of the South African National Party government's Bantu Education policy, marries Priscilla Phyllis Ntantla.

Ronald Reagan & Jane Wyman

Jan 26 Actor Ronald Reagan (28) weds Academy Award-winning actress Jane Wyman (23) at the Wee Kirk o' the Heather church in Glendale, California

Famous Deaths

Jan 1 Panuganti Lakshminarasimha Rao, Indian writer and essayist, dies at 74
Jan 4 Conrad Weiss, German writer and poet (Heart of Words), dies at 59
Jan 5 Humbert Wolfe, Italian-British poet (b. 1885)
Jan 5 Tina Modotti, Italian artist and activist, dies at 45
Jan 12 Erich R. Jaensch, German psychologist (eidetiek), dies at 56
Jan 18 Kazimierz Tetmajer, Polish writer and poet (Young Poland), dies at 74
Jan 19 William E. Borah, American lawyer and politician (Republican U.S. Senator from Idaho), dies at 74
Jan 20 Omar Bundy, U.S. Army general (Spanish–American War in Cuba), dies at 78
Jan 24 Emile van Bosch, Belgian revue, operetta and opera singer, dies at 52
Jan 25 Elias Simojoki, Finnish clergyman and politician (b. 1899)
Jan 27 Isaak Babel, Russian writer. playwright and journalist (Odessa Stories), executed at 46
Jan 31 René Schickele, German-French writer, sometimes under nom de plume 'Sascha' (Erbe am Rhein), poet, and magazine editor (Weissen Blätter), dies at 56

On This Day