1939 Calendar

February 19, 1939 – New Year’s Day in Chinese calendar. Start of the year of the Earth Rabbit in Chinese astrology.

March 23, 1939 – The Hungarian air force attacks the headquarters of Slovak air force in the city of Spišská Nová Ves, kills 13 people and began the Slovak–Hungarian War.

May 23, 1939 – The U.S. Navy submarine USS Squalus sinks off the coast of New Hampshire during a test dive, causing the death of 24 sailors and two civilian technicians. The remaining 32 sailors and one civilian naval architect are rescued the following day.

August 31, 1939 – Nazi Germany mounts a staged attack on the Gleiwitz radio station, creating an excuse to attack Poland the following day thus starting World War II in Europe.

September 4, 1939 – World War II: a Bristol Blenheim is the first British aircraft to cross the German coast following the declaration of war and German ships are bombed.

September 6, 1939 – World War II: The Battle of Barking Creek.

September 30, 1939 – General Władysław Sikorski becomes commander-in-chief of the Polish Government in exile.

October 1, 1939 – After a one-month Siege of Warsaw, hostile forces enter the city.

October 8, 1939 – World War II: Germany annexes Western Poland.

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

February 9, 1939 – Janet Suzman, South African actress

February 19, 1939 – Gwen Taylor, English actress

April 2, 1939 – Anthony Lake, American political figure

May 9, 1939 – Pierre Desproges, French humorist (d. 1988)

July 2, 1939 – Alexandros Panagoulis, Greek politician and poet

August 4, 1939 – Frank Vincent, American actor

August 22, 1939 – Carl Yastrzemski, American baseball player

September 2, 1939 – Sam Gooden, American singer (The Impressions)

October 28, 1939 – Jane Alexander, American actress

November 5, 1939 – Lobsang Tenzin, the 5th Samdhong Rinpoche, Kalon Tripa (Prime Minister) of the Tibetan Government-in-exile