WHAT HAPPENED IN 1939.
Look what happened the 1939.

In Washington, D.C., US President Franklin D. Roosevelt lays the cornerstone of the Jefferson Memorial. (15. November 1939)

Nine Czech students are executed as a response to anti-Nazi demonstrations prompted by the death of Jan Opletal. In addition, all Czech universities are shut down and over 1200 Czech students sent to concentration camps. Since this event, International Students' Day is celebrated in many countries, especially in the Czech Republic. (17. November 1939)

Shelling of Mainila: The Soviet Army orchestrates an incident which is used to justify the start of the Winter War with Finland four days later. (26. November 1939)

Winter War: Soviet forces cross the Finnish border in several places and bomb Helsinki and several other Finnish cities, starting the war. (30. November 1939)

New York City's La Guardia Airport opens. (2. December 1939)

World War II: HMS Nelson is struck by a mine (laid by U-31) off the Scottish coast and is laid up for repairs until August 1940. (4. December 1939)

Winter War: Battle of Tolvajärvi – Finnish forces defeat those of the Soviet Union in their first major victory of the conflict. (12. December 1939)

HMS Duchess sinks after a collision with HMS Barham off the coast of Scotland with the loss of 124 men. (12. December 1939)

World War II: Battle of the River Plate – Captain Hans Langsdorff of the German Deutschland class cruiser (pocket battleship) Admiral Graf Spee engages with Royal Navy cruisers HMS Exeter, HMS Ajax and HMNZS Achilles. (13. December 1939)

Winter War: The Soviet Union is expelled from the League of Nations for invading Finland. (14. December 1939)

Gone with the Wind receives its premiere at Loew's Grand Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. (15. December 1939)

World War II: Battle of the River Plate – The Admiral Graf Spee is scuttled by Captain Hans Langsdorff outside Montevideo. (17. December 1939)

World War II: The Battle of the Heligoland Bight, the first major air battle of the war, takes place. (18. December 1939)

Indian Muslims observe a "Day of Deliverance" to celebrate the resignations of members of the Indian National Congress over their not having been consulted over the decision to enter World War II with the United Kingdom. (22. December 1939)

World War II: Pope Pius XII makes a Christmas Eve appeal for peace. (24. December 1939)

Erzincan, Turkey is hit by an earthquake, killing 30,000. (27. December 1939)

Winter War: Finland holds off a Soviet attack in the Battle of Kelja. (27. December 1939)

First flight of the Consolidated B-24 Liberator. (29. December 1939)