On this day

December 13, 1939

Revisit the news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.

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Headlines from December 13, 1939

SOVIET REPLY CURT; Molotoff Merely Repeats Russia Is Not at War With Finland EXPULSION DEBATE TODAY Small Nations' Fears of Their Neighbors Seen as Factor Weakening Decision Decision Expected Tomorrow Shortcomings of the Small RUSSIANS REJECT LEAGUE DEMANDS Psychology of Fear League's Fate Hinges on War French Soviet Break Hinted Points in Committee Report

By P.j. Philip Wireless To the New York Times

GENEVA, Dec. 12--As expected, a negative reply was received this evening to the telegram sent by the League of Nations to find out whether Russia would cease hostilities against Finland and agree to negotiate.

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Historical Events

Battle of the River Plate

1939The Battle of the River Plate is fought off the coast of Uruguay; the first naval battle of World War II. The Kriegsmarine's Deutschland-class cruiser (pocket battleship) Admiral Graf Spee engages with three Royal Navy cruisers: HMS Ajax, HMNZS Achilles and HMS Exeter.[†]

The Battle of the River Plate was fought in the South Atlantic on 13 December 1939 as the first British naval battle of the Second World War.