On this day
Revisit the news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.
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Roosevelt proclaims virtual embargo on munitions, materials, machinery and machine tools; puts shipments under mil control; appts Lt Col R L Maxwell Administrator of Export Control; lists items subject to licensing system
Wheeler demands Dem peace plank; will oppose any candidate not pledged to peace
Brit and German communiques texts
Cols Stimson and Knox state views at Sen com hearings
1940Lamar Alexander, American lawyer and politician, 5th United States Secretary of Education[â ]
Andrew Lamar Alexander Jr. is an American politician, academic administrator, and attorney who served as a U.S. senator from Tennessee from 2003 to 2021. A member of the Republican Party, he was previously the 45th governor of Tennessee from 1979 to 1987 and the 5th United States Secretary of Education under President George H. W. Bush, serving from 1991 to 1993. During his tenure at the Department of Education, he supported the implementation of the "America 2000" education reform initiative. As of his departure from office, he remains the most recent Tennessee governor who has not been, at any time, a businessperson.
1940Jerzy Buzek, Polish engineer and politician, 9th Prime Minister of Poland[â ]
Jerzy Karol Buzek is a Polish politician and former Member of the European Parliament from Poland. He has served as Prime Minister of Poland from 1997 to 2001, since being elected to the European Parliament in 2004, he served as President of the European Parliament between 2009 and 2012. He is married to Ludgarda Buzek and is the father of Polish actress Agata Buzek.
1940Michael Cole, American actor (died 2024)[â ]
Michael Cole was an American actor best known for his role as Pete Cochran on the television crime drama The Mod Squad (1968â1973).
1940Lance Larson, American swimmer (died 2024)[â ]
Lance Melvin Larson was an American competition swimmer, Olympic champion, and world record-holder in four events.
1940CĂ©sar Tovar, Venezuelan baseball player (died 1994)[â ]
CĂ©sar Leonardo Tovar, nicknamed "Pepito" and "Mr. Versatility", was a Venezuelan professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1965 to 1976, most notably as the leadoff hitter for the Minnesota Twins teams that won two consecutive American League Western Division titles in 1969 and 1970. He later played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, and New York Yankees.
1940World War II: The Royal Navy attacks the French naval squadron in Algeria, to ensure that it will not fall under German control. Of the four French battleships present, one is sunk, two are damaged, and one escapes back to France.[â ]
World War II or the Second World War was a global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies and the Axis powers. Nearly all of the world's countries participated, with many nations mobilising all resources in pursuit of total war. Tanks and aircraft played major roles, enabling the strategic bombing of cities and delivery of the first and only nuclear weapons ever used in war. World War II is the deadliest conflict in history, causing the death of 70 to 85 million people, more than half of whom were civilians. Millions died in genocides, including the Holocaust, and by massacres, starvation, and disease. After the Allied victory, Germany, Austria, Japan, and Korea were occupied, and German and Japanese leaders were tried for war crimes.