WHAT ALL HAPPENED APRIL TO AUGUST 1940
Find out what all happened April to August 1940

California opens its first freeway, the Arroyo Seco Parkway. (20. July 1940)

World War II: Italy begins an unsuccessful invasion of France. (20. June 1940)

World War II: After a brief lull in the Battle of France, the Germans renew the offensive against the remaining French divisions south of the River Somme in Operation Fall Rot ("Case Red"). (5. June 1940)

Estonia was illegally annexed by the Soviet Union. (6. August 1940)

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

World War II: Germany's conquest of France begins as the German army crosses the Meuse. Winston Churchill makes his "blood, toil, tears, and sweat" speech to the House of Commons. (13. May 1940)

World War II: France officially surrenders to Germany at 01:35. (25. June 1940)

World War II: 13,000 British and French troops surrender to Major General Erwin Rommel at Saint-Valery-en-Caux. (12. June 1940)

The Soviet Union presents an ultimatum to Lithuania resulting in Lithuanian loss of independence. (14. June 1940)

The Second Vienna Award re-assigns the territory of Northern Transylvania from Romania to Hungary. (30. August 1940)

In Mexico City, Mexico exiled Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky is fatally wounded with an ice axe by Ramón Mercader. He dies the next day. (20. August 1940)

Denmark leaves the League of Nations. (20. July 1940)

World War II: the old city centre of the Dutch town of Middelburg is bombed by the German Luftwaffe, to force the surrender of the Dutch armies in Zeeland. (17. May 1940)

The animated short A Wild Hare is released, introducing the character of Bugs Bunny. (27. July 1940)

World War II: Battle of Dunkirk – In France, Allied forces begin a massive evacuation from Dunkirk, France. (26. May 1940)

Doodlebug Disaster: A doodlebug train in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio collides with a multi-car freight train heading in the opposite direction, killing 43 people. (31. July 1940)

John Steinbeck is awarded the Pulitzer Prize for his novel The Grapes of Wrath. (6. May 1940)

World War II: Alsace-Lorraine is annexed by the Third Reich. (7. August 1940)

Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands flees her country to Great Britain after the German invasion. Princess Juliana takes her children to Canada for their safety. (13. May 1940)

World War II: Battle of Cape Spada – The Royal Navy and the Regia Marina clash; the Italian light cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni sinks, with 121 casualties. (19. July 1940)