Jan 5th - FM radio is demonstrated to the FCC for the first time.
Jan 8th - World War II: Britain introduces food rationing.
Feb 2nd - Frank Sinatra's singing debut in Indianapolis (Tommy Dorsey Orchestra)
Feb 5th - Glenn Miller & his Orchestra record "Tuxedo Junction"
Feb 7th - Walt Disney's 2nd feature-length movie, "Pinocchio," premieres (NYC)
Feb 10th - "In The Mood" by Glenn Miller hits #1
Feb 10th - Tom & Jerry created by Hanna & Barbera debut by MGM
Feb 24th - Frances Langford records "When You Wish Upon a Star"
Feb 29th - "Gone with the Wind," wins 8 Oscars
Apr 16th - 1st televised baseball game, WGN-TV, (White Sox vs Cubs exhibition)
Apr 28th - Glenn Miller records "Pennsylvania 6-5000"
May 1st - The 1940 Olympics are cancelled
May 6th - Pulitzer prize awarded to John Steinbeck (Grapes of Wrath)
May 10th - World War II: The first German bombs of the war fall on England.
May 15th - McDonald's opens its first restaurant in San Bernardino, California.
May 26th - 1st successful helicopter flight in US (designed by Igor Sikorsky)
Jun 4th - German forces enter Paris
Jun 4th - The synthetic rubber tire unveiled
Jul 2nd - Hitler orders invasion of England (Operation Sealion)
Jul 27th - Bugs Bunny debuts in "Wild Hare"
Sep 2nd - Great Smoky Mountains National Park dedicated
Sep 3rd - 1st showing of high definition color TV
Sep 4th - CBS begins broadcasting TV as station W2XAB
Oct 1st - Pennsylvania Turnpike, pioneer toll thruway, opens
Oct 24th - 40 hour work week goes into effect (Fair Labor Standards of 1938)
Nov 11th - Willys unveiled its General Purpose vehicle ("Jeep")
Nov 13th - Walt Disney's "Fantasia" released
Nov 25th - Woody Woodpecker debuts with release of Walter Lantz's "Knock Knock"
Nov 30th - Lucille Ball weds Desi Arnaz
Dec 30th - California's 1st freeway, (Arroyo Seco Parkway), opens


1940 Fashion Icons: Betty Grable, Hedy Lamarr, Rita Hayworth, Lana Turner.
Time Magazine's Man of the Year: Winston Churchill