Famous Birthdays
- Martin Feldstein, American economist (1977 John Bates Clark Medal), chief economic adviser to President Reagan, born in The Bronx, New York (d. 2019)
- Rosanna Schiaffino, actress (Minotaur, Mazzabubu), born in Genoa, Italy
Famous Deaths
- Wilfred Trotter, English surgeon who was a pioneer in neurosurgery, popularized the concept of herd instinct, and was an authority in cancers of the head and neck, dies at 67
What Happened in 1939
Hitler Invades Czechoslovakia
Adolf Hitler meets with Czech President Emil Hácha. After being told of the impending invasion by Germany, Hácha suffered a heart attack at the meeting.
March 15, 1939Batman Appears!
Cover page of Detective Comics #27, the first comic in which Batman appeared
May 1, 1939Voice Of The Century – 'And Not Even Close'
Frank Sinatra cut his first disc on this day. It was a flop. But he would go on to be hailed as the “Voice of the Century”.
July 13, 1939The Wizard of Oz
Publicity still of the Wizard of Oz, showing the Tin Man, Scarecrow, Dorothy and Cowardly Lion
August 15, 1939
