Major Events of June 1939: Key Historical Moments from the Month
Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from June 1939 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.
Major Events of June 1939: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 01 Jun 1939 HMS Thetis submarine tragedy: On June 1, 1939, the British submarine HMS Thetis sank during sea trials in Liverpool Bay, resulting in the loss of 99 lives. The disaster occurred when seawater flooded the forward compartments after an internal torpedo tube was opened while the outer hatch was also open. Only four men survived the incident. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 03 Jun 1939 71st Belmont Stakes Horse Race: The 71st Belmont Stakes, held on June 3, 1939, at Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, was won by Johnstown, ridden by jockey James Stout. The race covered a distance of 1.5 miles, and Johnstown completed it in 2 minutes and 29.6 seconds. source: mybelmontbets.com
- 06 Jun 1939 MS St. Louis voyage of desperation: On June 6, 1939, the MS St. Louis, a German ocean liner carrying 937 Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution, was denied entry to Cuba, the United States, and Canada. The passengers were forced to return to Europe, where many faced dire consequences. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 07 Jun 1939 Germany signs non-aggression pacts with Baltic states: On June 7, 1939, Nazi Germany signed non-aggression pacts with Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. These agreements were part of Germany's strategic moves leading up to World War II. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 08 Jun 1939 British monarch's historic US state visit: On June 8, 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth continued their historic state visit to the United States, meeting President Franklin D. Roosevelt and touring various cities, strengthening Anglo-American relations. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 09 Jun 1939 IOC selects Cortina d'Ampezzo as 1944 Winter Olympics host city: At the 39th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in London, Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, was chosen over Montreal, Canada, and Oslo, Norway, to host the 1944 Winter Olympics. However, due to World War II, the Games were ultimately canceled. source: olympedia.org
- 10 Jun 1939 Barney Bear's debut in 'The Bear That Couldn't Sleep': The animated short film 'The Bear That Couldn't Sleep' was released, marking the first appearance of Barney Bear, an anthropomorphic character created by director Rudolf Ising for MGM. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 15 Jun 1939 French submarine Phénix sinks during training exercise: On June 15, 1939, the French submarine Phénix disappeared during a training exercise in the South China Sea. Despite extensive search efforts, the wreck was not located until June 16, and all 71 crew members were presumed lost. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 17 Jun 1939 Last public guillotining in France: On June 17, 1939, German serial killer Eugen Weidmann was executed by guillotine outside the Saint-Pierre prison in Versailles. The execution was witnessed by a large crowd, leading to public outcry and the subsequent ban on public executions in France. source: lemonde.fr
- 20 Jun 1939 SS Heimwehr Danzig formation: The SS Heimwehr Danzig was formed on June 20, 1939, as a paramilitary unit in Danzig, which was under German control. This unit played a role in the Nazi regime's military and political strategies leading up to World War II. source: britannica.com
- 21 Jun 1939 Nazi restrictions on Jewish economic rights: On June 21, 1939, the Nazi regime implemented further restrictions on the economic rights of Jewish citizens in Germany. These measures were part of a broader campaign of discrimination and persecution against Jews leading up to World War II. source: britannica.com
- 22 Jun 1939 Tense House of Commons debate on international crisis: On June 22, 1939, the House of Commons held a heated debate regarding the escalating international crisis in Europe. This discussion reflected the growing concerns over the threat posed by Nazi Germany. source: bbc.com
- 23 Jun 1939 Ankara talks resolve Hatay dispute: On June 23, 1939, negotiations in Ankara successfully resolved the Hatay dispute between Turkey and France. This agreement was significant in shaping the geopolitical landscape of the region during the pre-World War II era. source: britannica.com
- 24 Jun 1939 Siam renamed to Thailand: On June 24, 1939, Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram, Thailand's third prime minister, officially changed the country's name from Siam to Thailand, aiming to promote national identity and unity. source: historytoday.com
- 28 Jun 1939 Pan American Airways launches southern transatlantic air route: On June 28, 1939, Pan American Airways inaugurated its first transatlantic passenger flight, known as the "Dixie Clipper," from Port Washington, New York, to Lisbon, Portugal, and Marseilles, France. This marked a significant milestone in commercial aviation, offering paying passengers the opportunity to cross the Atlantic by air. source: si.edu
- 29 Jun 1939 Poland declares readiness to defend Danzig: On June 29, 1939, Poland declared its readiness to defend the city of Danzig, a free city under the protection of the League of Nations, amid rising tensions with Germany. This declaration was part of the escalating conflicts that led to the outbreak of World War II. source: archives.gov
- 30 Jun 1939 Italian racial laws expanded: On June 30, 1939, Italy further expanded its racial laws, imposing additional restrictions on Jewish citizens. These laws were part of a broader pattern of anti-Semitic legislation in Europe during this period. source: jstor.org