July 1940

Friday 05:

World War II: The United Kingdom and the Vichy France government break off diplomatic relations.

Wednesday 10:

The German Luftwaffe begin to hit British convoys in the English Channel thus starting the battle (this start date is contested, though).

Thursday 11:

World War II: Vichy France regime formally established. Henri Philippe Pétain becomes Prime Minister of France.

Sunday 14:

World War II: Andrew George Latta McNaughton takes command of the 7th Army Corps consisting of British, Canadian and New Zealand troops.

Friday 19:

World War II: Battle of Cape Spada between the Royal Navy and the Regia Marina; the Italian light cruiser Bartolomeo Colleoni sinks, with 121 casualities.

Saturday 20:

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs a bill limiting political activity by Federal employees, the Hatch Act.

Tuesday 23:

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.

Saturday 27:

Bugs Bunny makes his official debut in the animated cartoon A Wild Hare.