On this day

August 25, 1940

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

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Headlines from August 25, 1940

Notable Births

Wilhelm von Homburg

1940Wilhelm von Homburg, German boxer and actor (died 2004)[†]

Norbert Grupe, better known outside Germany by his stage name Wilhelm von Homburg, was a German boxer, actor, and professional wrestler known for his villainous supporting roles in various high-profile films of the 1980s and 1990s, including Vigo the Carpathian in Ghostbusters II (1989), the henchman James in Die Hard (1988), and Souteneur in Werner Herzog's Stroszek (1977).

Notable Deaths

Prince Jean, Duke of Guise

1940Prince Jean, Duke of Guise (born 1874)[†]

Jean d'Orléans was Orléanist pretender to the defunct French throne as Jean III. He used the courtesy title of Duke of Guise.

Historical Events

World War II

1940World War II: The first Bombing of Berlin by the British Royal Air Force.[†]

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.