WHAT ALL HAPPENED FEBRUARY TO OCTOBER 1939
Find out what all happened February to October 1939

Marian Anderson sings at the Lincoln Memorial, after being denied the right to sing at the Daughters of the American Revolution's Constitution Hall. (9. April 1939)

World War II: France, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia declare war on Germany after the invasion of Poland, forming the Allies. (3. September 1939)

Generalísimo Francisco Franco becomes the 68th "Caudillo de España", or Leader of Spain. (5. February 1939)

Slovakia declares independence under German pressure. (14. March 1939)

Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union agree on a division of Poland after their invasion during World War II. (28. September 1939)

First flight of the turbojet-powered Heinkel He 178, the world's first jet aircraft. (27. August 1939)

The Heinkel He 100 fighter sets a world airspeed record of 463 mph (745km/h). (30. March 1939)

The erroneous word "dord" is discovered in the Webster's New International Dictionary, Second Edition, prompting an investigation. (28. February 1939)

Spanish Civil War: Generalissimo Francisco Franco conquers Madrid after a three-year siege. (28. March 1939)

World War II: Italy invades Albania. (7. April 1939)

The New York Municipal Airport (later renamed LaGuardia Airport) is dedicated. (15. October 1939)

The Albanian fascist leader Tefik Mborja is appointed as member of the Italian Chamber of Fasces and Corporations. (29. May 1939)

Taisto Mäki becomes the first man to run the 10,000 metres in under 30 minutes, in a time of 29:52.6 (17. September 1939)

World War II: South Africa declares war on Germany. (6. September 1939)

Spanish Civil War: Nationalists begin their final offensive of the war. (26. March 1939)

Spanish Civil War: Generalísimo Francisco Franco of the Spanish State announces the end of the Spanish Civil War, when the last of the Republican forces surrender. (1. April 1939)

World War II: Germany and Italy sign the Pact of Steel. (22. May 1939)

The Wound Badge for Wehrmacht, SS, Kriegsmarine, and Luftwaffe soldiers is instituted. The final version of the Iron Cross is also instituted on this date. (1. September 1939)

World War II: Germany's invasion of Poland ends with the surrender of Polesia army after the Battle of Kock (6. October 1939)

The 1939-40 New York World's Fair opens. (30. April 1939)