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August 26, 1940

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

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Headlines from August 26, 1940

The International Situation; The War in Europe and Africa

By Unknown Author

In reprisal for the bombing of London, Royal Air Force planes in two waves raided Berlin early today. Heavy explosions were heard in the heart of the German capital.

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UNION 'PEACE FRONT' SPLITS C.I.O. HERE; CURRAN IS REBUKED; 36 Officials Denounce His Plea for Funds for Chicago Rally --He Defends Action AIMS CALLED SUBVERSIVE Retail and Wholesale Clerks Lead Revolt--Clothing and Textile Groups Balk Some of the Signers UNION PEACE DRIVE SPLITS C.I.O. HERE Council not Donating Big Attendance Predicted List of the Signers

By Unknown Author

Ignores plea for aid to Emergency Peace Mobilization

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ATTACK SCALE CUT; Germans Using Smaller Formations in Attempt fo Pierce Defenses KENNEDY HAS CLOSE CALL Bombs Drop Near His House--Present German Tactics Thought War of Terror Bombs Drop Near Kennedy FIRE AND RUINS IN LONDON AFTER GERMAN BOMBERS STORMED THE CITY FROM THE AIR

By W.f. Leysmith Special Cable To the New York Times

bomb drops near Amb Kennedy's suburban home

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WILLKIE DECLINES M'NUTT DEBATE BID; Calls It 'a Pure Loss of Time' and Scores 'Non-Political' Addresses by Roosevelt Refers to Roosevelt's Trip Talks to Simpson on Phone Manhattan Aides Named WILLKIE DECLINES M'NUTT DEBATE BID Head Colored Sections

By Unknown Author

Apptd Willikie Manhattan campaign com vice chmn

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BASES OFF CANAL URGED BY BARKLEY; Favors Getting 'Whole String' of Them--Defense Board to Meet in Ottawa Today

By Unknown Author

Lauds Bermuda air base lease; urges Panama Canal defense

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Notable Births

1940Michael Cockerell, English journalist^[†]

Michael Roger Lewis Cockerell is a British broadcaster and journalist. He is the BBC's most established political documentary maker, with a long, Emmy award-winning career of political programmes spanning television and radio.

1940Vic Dana, American dancer and singer^[†]

Samuel Mendola, known professionally as Vic Dana, is an American singer, dancer and actor.

1940Don LaFontaine, American voice actor, producer, and screenwriter (died 2008)^[†]

Donald LeRoy LaFontaine was an American voice actor who recorded more than 5,000 film trailers and hundreds of thousands of television advertisements, network promotions, and video game trailers over four decades.

1940Nik Turner, English musician and songwriter (died 2022)^[†]

Nicholas Robert Turner was an English musician best known as a member of space rock pioneers Hawkwind. Turner played saxophone and flute, as well as being a vocalist and composer. While with Hawkwind, Turner was known for his experimental free jazz stylisations and outrageous stage presence, often donning full makeup and Ancient Egypt-inspired costumes.

Historical Events

1940World War II: Chad becomes the first French colony to join the Allies under the administration of Félix Éboué, France's first black colonial governor.^[†]

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.