On this day
March 31, 1940
Revisit the news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.
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Headlines from March 31, 1940
CHURCHILL STIFFER ON NEUTRAL RIGHTS; Indicates That Mere Legality Won't Deter Allied Action-- Denies Aim to Spread War
Churchill announces stiffer Allied attitude toward neutrals' rights
Dense Fog Ties Up Sea and Air Traffic Here; Clearing Weather Is Expected Early Today
fog; planes and ships delayed
NEW TRUCE IS MADE; Lehman Is Chief Victor as Republicans Bow On Major Points JAM BROKEN BY MESSAGE City Use of $4,500,000 of Surplus Relief Cash Permitted--'Hatch' Bill Voted
plan passed by Legis following Lehman emergency message
TEACHERS' LOBBY SCORED AS GREEDY; Moffat Attack on Group as Unscrupulous and Pernicious Draws Defense by Steingut
dropped from Assembly calendar; Moffat assails teacher lobby; Assemblyman Steingut replies
Notable Births
1940Brian Ackland-Snow, English production designer and art director (died 2013)[†]
Brian Ackland-Snow was an English production designer. He won an Oscar in the category Best Art Direction for the film A Room with a View. He also won an Emmy for best art direction for a miniseries or special in 1995 for Scarlett on CBS. His son, Andrew Ackland-Snow, went on to become an art director in films.
1940Barney Frank, American lawyer and politician[†]
Barnett Frank is a retired American politician. He served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts from 1981 to 2013. A Democrat, Frank served as chairman of the House Financial Services Committee from 2007 to 2011 and was a leading co-sponsor of the 2010 Dodd–Frank Act. Frank, a resident of Newton, Massachusetts, was considered the most prominent gay politician in the United States during his time in Congress.
1940Patrick Leahy, American lawyer and politician[†]
Patrick Joseph Leahy is an American politician and attorney who represented Vermont in the United States Senate from 1975 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he also was the president pro tempore of the United States Senate from 2012 to 2015 and from 2021 to 2023.