1939 Newspapers

What happened in 1939 that made it onto the front pages of some of the nation’s most renowned newspapers? You can find out through our collection of authentic newspapers from some of the nation’s most trusted publications.

An authentic newspaper is a great gift idea for someone who is interested in history, or to commemorate this year in history. The 1930s were almost over, and it hadn’t been the easiest decade for America or the world. America was in the grips of an economic crisis which had lasted the whole decade. This was the year World War Two would start, resulting in one of the most destructive, bloody and heartbreaking wars that the world has ever seen. Find out what it felt like to live during this tense year in history through first hand accounts from people who lived it.

FROM $39.99
1939 Newspapers

1939 Newspaper Headlines

The world in 1939 didn’t feel like the most safe place. Germany’s invasion of Poland marked the beginning of WWII, commencing the 6 year war that would devastate and destroy the lives of millions of people. 1939 headlines includes the declaration of war on Germany by the allied forces, the United States announcing its neutrality in the war, and Adolf Hitler’s narrow escape of an assassination attempt in Munich.

1939 was a fascinating year in history, filled with events that would forever change the course of history. Read about how the war began step by step, with reports covering the beginning of it all. The best way to understand our world today is to gain an insight into the past and the people and events, good and bad, that have shaped society and the world today. A 1939 newspaper can give perspective on all of these things.

Also, take a look at a full breakdown of the year 1939 in our 1939 timeline.

January 1, 1939
The Hewlett-Packard Company is founded and becomes the largest technology company in the world.

January 5, 1939 
Amelia Earhart is officially declared dead after her 1937 disappearance.

February 6, 1939
British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain officially declares that any German attack on France will also be considered an attack on Great Britain.

March 2, 1939
Pope Pius XII (Cardinal Pacelli) succeeds Pope Pius XI as the 260th Pope.

April 1, 1939
The Spanish Civil War comes to an end when the last of the Republican forces surrender.

April 14, 1939
John Steinbeck’s classic novel “The Grapes of Wrath” is published for the first time.

April 30, 1939 
The 1939 New York World’s Fair opens.

May 1, 1939 
Batman makes his first appearance in Detective Comics #27.

June 17, 1939
Murderer Eugen Weidmann is decapitated by the guillotine in the last public guillotining to take place in France.

June 24, 1939
The government of Siam changes its name to Thailand, which means ‘Free Land’.

August 2, 1939 
Albert Einstein writes to President Franklin D. Roosevelt about developing the atomic bomb using uranium. This leads to the creation of the Manhattan Project.

August 15, 1939 
MGM’s classic musical film The Wizard of Oz, based on L. Frank Baum’s famous novel, and starring Judy Garland as Dorothy, premieres at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood.

September 1, 1939
Nazi Germany invades Poland, thus beginning the Second World War in Europe.

September 3, 1939
The United Kingdom, France, New Zealand and Australia declare war on Germany.

September 5, 1939
The United States declares its neutrality in the war.

November 8, 1939
Adolf Hitler narrowly escapes an assassination attempt in Munich by Georg Elser, while celebrating the sixteenth anniversary of the Beer Hall Putsch.

November 16, 1939
Al Capone is released from Alcatraz prison.

December 15, 1939 
The film Gone with the Wind premieres at Loew’s Grand Theater in Atlanta, Georgia. It’s based on the best-selling novel by Margaret Mitchell and is the longest American film made up to this time (almost four hours long).

December 27, 1939
The 1939 Erzincan earthquake kills 30,000 people in Eastern Anatolia, Turkey. The earthquake features seven powerful tremors and one of these tremors is measured at 8.2 on the Richter scale of magnitude.

More from this Decade

ReviewsReviews

Rated 4.5 out of 5

based on 115 reviews

Alexandra Dean November 27 2023

Very great customer service

Gayle DiGangi Jacobs November 19 2023

One of the most original gift ideas given to a birthday boy celebrating his 80th birthday.

Jeff G November 17 2023

Crumbling and expensive. Paid $70 plus for a paper taped back together. Horrible customer serve. At no point do they advertise these papers maybe taped together. Probably because if they did you would not buy it. Deceitful.

  • Historic Newspapers Team November 18 2023

    Thank you for your review.

    We do apologize that you are not happy with the newspaper received.

    We can see that you did contact our Customer Service Team in regards to the item received. It was explained that as you have ordered a 1945 newspaper and therefore 78 years old, unfortunately it will not be received as if you had brought a newspaper today.

    Most of our archived papers are stored in large binders or are already folded, especially the larger broadsheets. As they are genuine originals from that time, they can be fragile therefore we use a special archive tape to reinforce the spine or areas which may deteriorate from excessive use. Some stock we have acquired is stitched into the binders from previous use in places like libraries, universities, private sales etc. Where this is the case, we would have to carefully cut the papers out so we use the tape which is clear and designed so that you can read the paper freely.

    Please accept our apologies for any inconvenienced caused.

    Kindest Regards
    The Historic Newspapers Team

Volha Chuvakin November 11 2023

Bought it for my husband birthday and can't wait to give it. It is beautifully packaged and paper is in amazing condition.

Kirsten Becker October 20 2023

The perfect thoughtful gift!

Evelyn Hart October 18 2023

Product was amazing!! Absolutely treasured experience. Each page was an adventure back in time.

Paula G September 19 2023

Very unique, interesting to see what happens 70 years ago.

Deeanna Franklin Campbell September 19 2023

It was an 80th birthday gift for my dad. He loved it. Wonderful trip down memory lane. The paper is very fragile and turning the dry pages takes great care, but that just helped with the authenticity and magic of the look into the past. Thanks!

Benjamin W August 17 2023

This is a great product and is the perfect gift for a loved one

Kenneth Robinson August 11 2023

For a newspaper that’s 80+ years old and almost perfect, can’t go wrong.