Death of Isaak Emmanuilovich Babel
Death of Isaak Emmanuilovich Babel
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1940 in Russia
Explore 33 historical events and records for Russia in 1940.
Historical records for Russia in 1940
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 33 of 33 unique records.
33Unique records
1 of 1Page
26Named events on this page
15Named people on this page
10Places on this page
January
Execution
Executed for spying
February
Invasion of Finland
Launches a attacks against the Mannerheim Line, Finlands main line of defence
Mannerheim Line
Launches a attacks against the Mannerheim Line, Finlands main line of defence
Trotskys Testament
Trotsky wrote a document known as "Trotskys Testament", in which he expressed his final thoughts and feelings for posterity
March
Invasion of Finland
The Fins are forced out of the Karelian Isthmus
Invasion of Finland
Finland surrenders large tracts of territory & fortifications to Russia
May
Assassination of Leon Trotsky
Trotsky survived a raid on his home by Stalinist assassins led by GPU agent Iosif Grigulevich, Mexican painter and Stalinist David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Vittorio Vidale
Plot
Trotsky survived a raid on his home by Stalinist assassins led by GPU agent Iosif Grigulevich, Mexican painter and Stalinist David Alfaro Siqueiros, and Vittorio Vidale
Plot
A failed assassination attempt on Trotsky when gunmen fire on his villa
August
Neutrality
Confirms Russias neutrality
Assassination of Leon Trotsky
Assassinated in Mexico City
Death of Leon Trotsky
Death of Leon Trotsky, assassinated
Deputy Chairman
Appointed Deputy Chairman of Sovnarkom
September
Commander of Northern Front
Replaces Marshal Voroshilov on the Northern Front
Commander of Northern Front
Replaces Marshal Voroshilov on the Northern Front
Siege of Leningrad
Takes over the defense of Leningrad
November
Molotov has discussions with the German High Command
Molotov has discussions with the German High Command
December
Army Reform
Kerensky develops his views through army reform after 1917.
Other events (month unknown)
Armaments Conversion Oversight
Helps oversee conversion of regional industry toward wartime armaments production.
Arrival in America
Moves to the United States after leaving France during the Second World War and continues political activity in exile.
Deputy Commissar
Appointed Deputy Commisar of Defence
Don Epic Completed
Mikhail Sholokhov completed the multi-volume novel And Quiet Flows the Don. The epic follows Cossack society through war and revolution and became his defining literary achievement.
Exile in United States
Settles in the United States during the war.
Kadykchan Coal Mines
Shalamov began work in the Kadykchan and Arkagala coal mines, facing harsh camp conditions.
Manifesto of the Fourth International
Writes the Fourth International manifesto on the imperialist war and the tasks of the world socialist revolution.
Massacre
About 15,000 Polish officers are murderred in Eastern Poland
Minister of War
Appointed Minister of War
Minister of War
Appointed Minister of War
Move from France
Leaves France as German victory transforms exile politics.
Red Army
Appointed Member of Red Army
Red Army
Appointed Member of Red Army
The Willow
Publication of "The Willow"
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.