Today in World War II History—December 1, 1939 & 1944
Sunday, December 1, 2024 by Sarah Sundin
Edward Stettinius, 1941 (Library of Congress)
85 Years Ago—Dec. 1, 1939: After previous day’s Soviet invasion of Finland, Risto Ryti replaces Aimo Cajander as Prime Minister of Finland.
Britain designates the Orkney & Shetland Islands as a protected area; only residents, service members & police are allowed without a permit.
80 Years Ago—Dec. 1, 1944: Edward Stettinius becomes US Secretary of State after Cordell Hull’s resignation.
Gen. Jules Bastin, commander of underground Belgian Armée Secrète, dies at Gross-Rosen concentration camp.
Jet Propulsion Laboratory launches “Private A” at Camp Irwin, CA, the first American multistage ballistic rocket.
