WHAT ALL HAPPENED MARCH TO DECEMBER 1940
Find out what all happened March to December 1940

World War II: German leader Adolf Hitler surveys newly defeated Paris in now occupied France. (23. June 1940)

World War II: the United Kingdom and the Vichy France government break off diplomatic relations. (5. July 1940)

World War II: Rotterdam is bombed by the German Luftwaffe. (14. May 1940)

The "Aufbau Ost" directive is signed by Wilhelm Keitel. (8. August 1940)

King Carol II of Romania abdicates and is succeeded by his son Michael. (6. September 1940)

World War II: First flight of the de Havilland Mosquito and Martin B-26 Marauder. (25. November 1940)

Franz Rademacher proposes plans to make Madagascar the "Jewish homeland", an idea that had first been considered by 19th century journalist Theodor Herzl. (3. June 1940)

World War II: Italy declares war on France and the United Kingdom. (10. June 1940)

World War II: Vichy France regime is formally established. Philippe Pétain becomes Prime Minister of France. (11. July 1940)

First person killed in a German bombing raid on the UK in World War II during a raid on Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands, James Isbister. (16. March 1940)

World War II: The climax of the Battle of Britain, when the Royal Air Force shoots down large numbers of Luftwaffe aircraft. (15. September 1940)

The P-51 Mustang makes its maiden flight. (26. October 1940)

An Italian submarine torpedoes and sinks the Greek cruiser Elli at Tinos harbor during peacetime, marking the most serious Italian provocation prior to the outbreak of the Greco-Italian War in October. (15. August 1940)

World War II: Germany occupies Brussels, Belgium. (17. May 1940)

Warsaw is awarded the Virtuti Militari. (9. November 1940)

World War II: Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain becomes Chief of State of Vichy France (Chef de l'État Français). (16. June 1940)

World War II: The Siege of Calais ends with the surrender of the British and French garrison. (26. May 1940)

Holocaust: In occupied Poland, the Nazis close off the Warsaw Ghetto from the outside world. (16. November 1940)

In Romania, the ruling Iron Guard fascist party assassinates over 60 of arrested King Carol II of Romania's aides and other political dissidents, including former Prime Minister Nicolae Iorga. (27. November 1940)

Meeting between Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini at the Brenner Pass. (4. October 1940)