The League of Nations was the first worldwide intergovernmental organisation whose principal mission was to maintain world peace. It was founded on 10 January 1920 by the Paris Peace Conference that ended the First World War. The main organisation ceased operations on 18 April 1946 when many of its components were relocated into the new United Nations (UN) which was created in the aftermath of the Second World War. As the template for modern global governance, the League profoundly shaped the modern world.

1940California opens its first freeway, the Arroyo Seco Parkway.^[†]

California is a state in the Western United States that lies on the Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares an international border with the Mexican state of Baja California to the south. With almost 40 million residents across an area of 163,696 square miles (423,970 km2), it is the largest state by population, third-largest state by area and the largest state economy.

Headlines from July 20, 1940

WALLACE DEFERS CAMPAIGN PLANS; Course to Be Mapped After He Talks to Roosevelt Thursday in Washington, He Says

150 PLANES BATTLE OVER BRITISH COAST; R.A.F. in Huge Dogfight With Nazis to Save Ships--Hits on Krupp Works Claimed

The International Situation; Developments in Europe

SPEAKS AS A VICTOR; Hitler Denies He Had Any Intention to Destroy the British Empire SEES NO REASON FOR WAR But He Warns Churchill of the Fate Facing Millions if the Struggle Is Continued

FARLEY EXPLAINS; Says Financial Reasons Impel Him to Retire as Party Pilot WILL RETAIN STATE POST He Pledges Roosevelt Full Support, but Many Leave Chicago Disgruntled

Historical Events