1940 Review
Reviews a year in which Britain survived invasion threats and fought on.
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Historical biography archive · Updated 2026-11-03
Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill Biography and Timeline — Page 23
Follow Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill through 1,398 dated historical records for Great Britain.
Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill, historical timeline
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
1,398Distinct records
23 of 35Page
1940–1941Years on this page
1940
Battle of Britain
Supports continued expansion of aircraft output after the Battle of Britain.
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Bombing of London
In 5 months 22,000 are killed
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Battle of Britain
Naval construction is top followed by production of fighters for the Battle of Britain
Role range: 1940-1945 – 1940-1945
Leader of House of Commons
Appointed Leader of the House of Commons
Role range: 1940-1945 – 1940-1942
Food Rationing
Opposes food rationing, encourages the Ministry of Food to increase imports
Role range: 1940-1945 – 1940-1945
Blood Toil Tears and Sweat Speech
Churchill delivered his first speech as prime minister to the House of Commons, defining the sacrifices required for victory.
Never Was So Much Owed
Churchill publicly praised the Royal Air Force during the Battle of Britain, shaping remembrance of the air campaign.
Their Finest Hour Speech
Churchill urged Britain to resist Nazi Germany and described the historic stakes of the coming battle.
We Shall Fight on the Beaches
Churchill delivered his celebrated Commons speech after Dunkirk, framing continued resistance as a national obligation.
Bombing of London
In 5 months 22,000 are killed. Opens up the tube stations to the public despite opposition from local officials. Churchill statys in London during the bombing of London
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Trafalgar Symbolism
Trafalgar remains a symbol of resistance during invasion fears.
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
1941
Pact between 26 United Nations Signatories
The pact of the "United Nations" is signed in Washington by 26 nations, they commit themselve to not agree to any seperate peace with Germany or Japan
Role range: 1940-1945
Pact between 26 United Nations Signatories
The pact of the "United Nations" is signed in Washington by 26 nations, they commit themselve to not agree to any seperate peace with Germany or Japan
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
United Nations
The pact of the "United Nations" is signed in Washington by 26 nations, they commit themselve to not agree to any seperate peace with Germany or Japan
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Daily Worker
The communist newspaper, "The Daily Worker" is banned in London
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Capture of Tobruk
The British Army captures Tobruk
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
ABC1
Leads to a US mission visiting Britain in March for possible military bases. Decision code named ABC1 is made that places Germany's defeat as the principle Allied aim in the event of the USA declaring war
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Alliance United States and Great Britain
Agreement ABC-1 accepts the War & Navy Depts for planning when the US enters the war
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Lend-Lease
The US House of Representives passes the Lend-Lease Bill by 260 votes to 265, assisting Britain
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Lend-Lease
Churchill says in a speech, "the Government and people of the United States intend to supply us with all that is necessary for victory". Churchill says in a speech, "Give us the tools and we will finish the job"
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Speech
Churchill says in a speech, "Give us the tools and we will finish the job"
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Operation Colossus
Britains 1st airborne attack of the war, 38 paratroopers are dropped on a railway viaduct at Trignano, Italy
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Break in Diplomatic Relations with Romania
Britain breaks off relations with Romania
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Siege of Lofoton
The British & Norwegians raid the occupied Lofoten Islands destroying 11 German ships
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Operation Claymore
Churchill launches Operation Claymore, a naval raid against the Lofoten Islands
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Siege of Lofoton
A commando raid destroys fish oil processing plants in Lofoton, northern Norway
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Invasion of Greece
In Operation Lustre British forces are ferried to Greece to defeng it against the German invasion
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Operation Lustre
In Operation Lustre British forces are ferried to Greece to defeng it against the German invasion
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Invasion of Ethiopia
The British Army invades Italian-controlled Ethiopia
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Lend-Lease
US Congress passes the Lend-Lease Act
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Battle of Atlantic
Forms the Battle of Atlantic Committee
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Committee of Atlantic
Forms the Battle of Atlantic Committee
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Invasion of Russia
Churchill warns Stalin the Germans have regrouped in Poland to invade Russia
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Invasion of Ethiopia
General Cunningham, commander of allied forces in East Africa, enters Addis Ababa
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Free French
Approves Operation Ironclad in Cabinet, invasion of Madagascar with the Free French. Agrees the invasion of Madagascar with the Free French
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Invasion of Madagascar
Approves Operation Ironclad in Cabinet, invasion of Madagascar with the Free French. Agrees the invasion of Madagascar with the Free French
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Operation Ironclad
Approves Operation Ironclad in Cabinet, invasion of Madagascar with the Free French
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Bristol Air Raids
Bristol suffers further heavy bombing during the Blitz.
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Operation Ironclad
The 1st large amphibious assault made by British forces since the Dardanelles. An amphibious invasion of the Vichy French colony of Madagascar
Role range: 1939-1945 – 1940-1945
Records, sources and methodology
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.