1940: Difference between revisions

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==Events==
==Events==
* [[January 21]]: [[John A. Carroll]] was invested into the Order of St Gregory by Pope Pius XII.
* [[January 23]]: A [[List of snowfalls|rare snowfall]] brought 9.5 inches to Birmingham.
* [[January 23]]: A [[List of snowfalls|rare snowfall]] brought 9.5 inches to Birmingham.
* [[February 29]]: [[Cooper Green]] was elected President of the Commission.
* [[January 31]]: The feature film "Gone With The Wind" had its Birmingham premiere at the [[Ritz Theatre]].
* [[February 29]]: [[Cooper Green]] was elected President of the [[Birmingham City Commission]].
* [[Harry E. Smith]] resigned as [[Jefferson County Sheriff]] to enter the Army.
* [[Harry E. Smith]] resigned as [[Jefferson County Sheriff]] to enter the Army.
* [[Joe Shannon]] made his first solo flight in his J-3 Piper Cub.
* [[Joe Shannon]] made his first solo flight in his J-3 Piper Cub.
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* [[Communist Party]] secretary [[Robert Hall]]'s apartment at [[Quinlan Castle]] was raided by the [[Birmingham Police Department]].
* [[Communist Party]] secretary [[Robert Hall]]'s apartment at [[Quinlan Castle]] was raided by the [[Birmingham Police Department]].
* The [[Birmingham Art Association]] began raising funds for a future [[Birmingham Museum of Art]].
* The [[Birmingham Art Association]] began raising funds for a future [[Birmingham Museum of Art]].
* [[Louis Werfel]] became rabbi of the [[Knesseth Israel Congregation]].
* [[William Hitt|William]] and [[Eugenia Woodward Hitt]] were married.
* [[William Hitt|William]] and [[Eugenia Woodward Hitt]] were married.
* The [[106th Observation Squadron]] was called to active duty.
* The [[106th Observation Squadron]] was called to active duty.
* Lighting was installed along the [[Bessemer Super Highway]], creating the longest "white way" east of the Rockies.
* Lighting was installed along the [[Bessemer Super Highway]], creating the longest "white way" east of the Rockies.
* A fire damaged remaining nightclub fixtures in [[Bangor Cave]].
* A fire damaged remaining nightclub fixtures in [[Bangor Cave]].
* The [[League of Young Southerners]] moved its executive offices from Nashville, Tennessee to Birmingham.
* [[September 17]]: President Franklin Roosevelt [[List of presidential visits|attended]] the funeral of [[William Bankhead]] at [[Jasper First United Methodist Church]].
* October: [[1940 Alabama State Fair]]
* October: [[1940 Alabama State Fair]]


===Business===
===Business===
* [[January 25]]: The first edition of the ''[[Southern News Almanac]]'' was published.
* [[Eloise Haney Smith]] took over full ownership of [[WBRC-AM]].
* [[Eloise Haney Smith]] took over full ownership of [[WBRC-AM]].
* CBS took over 45% ownership of [[WAPI-AM]]
* CBS took over 45% ownership of [[WAPI-AM]]
* The [[Tennessee Valley Authority]] took over the northern district of [[Alabama Power]]'s service area.
* The [[Tennessee Valley Authority]] took over the northern district of [[Alabama Power]]'s service area.
* [[A. & A. Ash Jewelers]] moved to 201 [[20th Street North]].
* [[A. & A. Ash Jewelers]] moved to 201 [[20th Street North]].
* The [[Stirrup Cup]] lounge at the [[Thomas Jefferson Hotel]] opened its doors.
* [[October 4]]: The [[Stirrup Cup]] lounge at the [[Thomas Jefferson Hotel]] opened.
* [[Gus Constantine]] opened [[Dr Gus Coffee House]] on [[21st Street North]].
* [[Gus Constantine]] opened [[Dr Gus Coffee House]] on [[21st Street North]].
* [[F. R. Hoar]] founded [[Hoar Construction]].
* [[Ross McBride]] and [[Jimmy Daniel]] founded the [[McBride Sign Co.]]
===Education===
* [[Birmingham City Schools|Birmingham]]'s [[Alley School]] closed.
* [[St Marks School]] closed.
* [[Sumiton Elementary School|Sumiton School]] opened.
===Religion===
* [[Louis Werfel]] became rabbi of the [[Knesseth Israel Congregation]].


===Sports===
===Sports===
* [[October 14]]: Boxer [[Izzy Jannazzo]] won a welterweight title over Cocoa Kid at Carlin’s Park in Baltimore, Maryland.
* [[December 14]]: The second annual [[Steel City Classic]] pitted All-Star teams from Black high schools at [[Legion Field]].
* [[Magic City Classic]], Alabama State: 24-6
* [[Magic City Classic]], Alabama State: 24-6
* [[Bear Bryant]] became an assistant coach at Vanderbilt University.
* [[Bear Bryant]] became an assistant coach at Vanderbilt University.
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* The [[Alta Apartments]] opened in downtown [[Tuscaloosa]].
* The [[Alta Apartments]] opened in downtown [[Tuscaloosa]].
* The [[John A. Hand Building|American Trust Building]] became the headquarters of [[AmSouth Bank|First National Bank of Birmingham]]
* The [[John A. Hand Building|American Trust Building]] became the headquarters of [[AmSouth Bank|First National Bank of Birmingham]]
* [[Canaan Missionary Baptist Church]] was renovated and clad in brick.
* [[Hueytown High School]]'s gymnasium.
* [[Hueytown High School]]'s gymnasium.
* [[Ed Norton]] sold [[Rickwood Field]] to the Cincinnati Reds.
* [[Ed Norton]] sold [[Rickwood Field]] to the Cincinnati Reds.
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* [[Gail Patrick]] starred in ''My Favorite Wife''.
* [[Gail Patrick]] starred in ''My Favorite Wife''.


==People==
==Individuals==
* [[March 23]]: [[Joseph A. Durick]] was ordained a Catholic priest.
 
===Births===
===Births===
* [[January 6]]: [[Poonanny|Hubert Joe "Poonanny" Burns]], bandleader
* [[February 17]]: [[Wayne Greenhaw]], journalist and author
* [[February 17]]: [[Wayne Greenhaw]], journalist and author
* [[March 4]]: [[Lili Gentle]], actress
* [[March 11]]: [[Catherine Cabaniss]], artist
* [[March 13]]: [[Candi Staton]], disco/soul/gospel singer
* [[March 13]]: [[Candi Staton]], disco/soul/gospel singer
* [[March 23]]: [[Kenny Clemons]], former councilman and [[Mayor of Gardendale]]
* [[March 25]]: [[Pat Gray]], television host
* March 25: [[Dave Roddy]], [[WSGN-AM]] announcer
* [[April 26]]: Historian [[Kermit Dooley]] was born
* [[April 29]]: [[E. B. McClain]], state senator
* [[April 29]]: [[E. B. McClain]], state senator
* [[April 30]]: [[Pat Moore]], attorney
* [[April 30]]: [[Pat Moore]], attorney
* [[May 1]]: [[Bill Hay]], Presbyterian minister
* [[May 20]]: [[Shorty Long]], soul singer, songwriter and producer
* [[May 20]]: [[Shorty Long]], soul singer, songwriter and producer
* [[June 17]]: [[Frank Fleming]], sculptor
* [[June 17]]: [[Frank Fleming]], sculptor
* [[August 16]]: [[Paul Seitz]], baseball player and bookstore owner
* [[June 29]]:  U.S. Representative [[Claude Harris]]
* July: [[L. B. Feemster]], businessman and [[Clay]] city councilor
* [[July 11]]: [[Pat Trammell]], former [[Alabama Crimson Tide football team|Crimson Tide]] quarterback
* [[August 16]]: [[Philip Morris]], ''[[Southern Living]]'' editor, historian and civic activist
* August 16: [[Paul Seitz]], baseball player and bookstore owner
* [[September 4]]: [[Ken Tremelling]], radio DJ and manager
* [[September 8]]: [[James Jett]], [[Warrior City Council]] member
* [[September 10]]: [[Buck Buchanan]], pro football player
* [[September 10]]: [[Buck Buchanan]], pro football player
* [[September 21]]: [[Jim Carns]], [[Jefferson County Commission]]
* [[September 21]]: [[Jim Carns]], [[Jefferson County Commission]]
* September: [[Michael Gross]], educator
* September: [[Michael Gross]], educator
* [[September 26]]: [[Glenn Bishop]], engineer
* [[October 14]]: [[Billy Joe]], former [[Miles College]] football coach
* [[October 14]]: [[Billy Joe]], former [[Miles College]] football coach
* [[October 31]]: [[Fox deFuniak]], banker and civic leader
* [[December 3]]: [[Dewey Corder]], Baptist minister
* [[December 14]]: [[Willie Perry]], "The Batman of Birmingham".
* [[Sam Brison]], long-time Indianapolis Clowns star
* [[Harry Crawford]], "The Flagman of Columbiana".
* [[Harry Crawford]], "The Flagman of Columbiana".
* [[C. Pat Reynolds]], former [[Vestavia Hills]] mayor, restauranteur
* [[C. Pat Reynolds]], former [[Vestavia Hills]] mayor, restauranteur
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* [[James Potts]], mortgage banker and financial advisor
* [[James Potts]], mortgage banker and financial advisor
* [[Doris Powell]], [[Fountain Heights]] neighborhood president and [[BJCTA]] chair
* [[Doris Powell]], [[Fountain Heights]] neighborhood president and [[BJCTA]] chair
* [[Petric Smith]], born as Elizabeth H. Cobbs, Methodist minister, activist and author
* [[Patti Wheeler]], radio show co-host


===Deaths===
===Deaths===
* [[May 7]]: [[Morris Newfield]], rabbi of [[Temple Emanu-El]] and [[social activist]].
* [[January 12]]: [[Walter Smyer]]
* [[June 10]]: [[Paul Cole]], former [[Birmingham Police Department]] chief of detectives.
* [[February 5]]: [[Harry Wheelock]], architect
* [[July 2]]: [[John Abercrombie]], former [[University of Alabama]] president and state senator.
* [[February 8]]: [[Edward Ullman]], cinematographer
* [[September 15]]: [[William Bankhead]], Speaker of the U. S. House of Representatives
* [[April 18]]: [[Chris Jordan]], professional wrestler and wrestling promoter
* [[May 7]]: [[Morris Newfield]], rabbi of [[Temple Emanu-El]] and [[social activist]]
* [[May 9]]: [[O. D. Henderson]], tin mill worker
* [[June 10]]: [[Paul Cole]], former [[Birmingham Police Department]] chief of detectives
* [[July 2]]: [[John Abercrombie]], former [[University of Alabama]] president and state senator
* [[September 11]]: [[George Ward]], former [[Mayor of Birmingham]]
* [[September 15]]: [[William Bankhead]], Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives
* [[Willie Peterson]], suspected murderer, died of tuberculosis at Kilby Prison.
* [[Willie Peterson]], suspected murderer, died of tuberculosis at Kilby Prison.
* [[Jimmie Jones]], former [[Mayor of Birmingham]]
* [[Jimmie Jones]], former [[Mayor of Birmingham]]
* [[Raymond Rochell]], owner of the [[Orange Crush 7-Up Bottling Company]]
* [[Raymond Rochell]], owner of the [[Orange Crush 7-Up Bottling Company]]
* [[George Ward]], former [[Mayor of Birmingham]]
:''See also: [[List of Birmingham homicides in 1940]]''
:''See also: [[List of Birmingham homicides in 1940]]''


===Marriages===
===Marriages===
* [[August 1]]: [[Pat Courington, Sr]] to [[Dorris Courington|Tommie Dorris Williams]]
* [[August 1]]: [[Pat Courington Sr]] to [[Dorris Courington|Tommie Dorris Williams]]
* [[August 26]]: [[Mel Rosenberger|Mel]] and [[Mae Rosenberger]]
* [[August 26]]: [[Mel Rosenberger|Mel]] and [[Mae Rosenberger]]
* [[October 4]]: [[Frank Bettencourt|Frank]] and [[Alice Bettencourt]]
* [[October 4]]: [[Frank Bettencourt|Frank]] and [[Alice Bettencourt]]
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===Graduations===
===Graduations===
* [[Oscar Adams, Jr]], from [[Parker High School]]
* [[Oscar Adams Jr]], from [[Parker High School]]
* [[Bert Bank]], from the [[University of Alabama School of Law]]
* [[Bert Bank]], from the [[University of Alabama School of Law]]
* [[Charley Boswell]], from the [[University of Alabama]]
* [[Charley Boswell]], from the [[University of Alabama]]

Latest revision as of 18:15, 29 January 2024

1940, a leap year, was the 69th year after the founding of the city of Birmingham.

Events

Business

Education

Religion

Sports

Works

Books

Buildings

Music

Film

Individuals

Births

Deaths

See also: List of Birmingham homicides in 1940

Marriages

Awards

Graduations

Context

In 1940, the world was on the brink of full-scale world war. The war had been raging in Europe for two years. America was mobilizing. Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to an unprecedented third term as president. In the summer of 1940, Hitler dominated Europe from the North Cape to the Pyrenees. His one remaining active enemy; Britain, under a new prime minister, Winston Churchill; vowed to continue fighting. Italy declared war on France and Britain on June 10. On June 17, Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain, a World War I hero who had become premier the day before, asked for an armistice. The armistice was signed on June 25 on terms that gave Germany control of northern France and the Atlantic coast.

  • The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck won the Pulitzer Prize for novels
  • The Time of Your Life by William Saroyan won the Pulitzer for drama
  • Abraham Lincoln: The War Years by Carl Sandburg won the Pulitzer for history
1940s
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Births - Deaths - Establishments - Events - Works
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