24 Photos of What Life Looked Like in 1940

Daniel Bonfiglio Published 02/13/2025 in wow

It would still be a year before the United States joined, but in 1940, World War II was in full swing for everyone else.

Germany occupied France, London was a city under arial siege, and the rest of the world wasn't far behind.

From soldiers in the heat of battle, to children going about their innocent daily lives, here are 24 photos showing what life was like in 1940.

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1. The Bombing of London
Daily horrors, 1940.
2. Playing Guitar on the Porch
A 23-year-old, 1940.
3. Henry Ford and George Washington Carver
Famous friends in 1940.
4. Wartime Selfie
A couple in 1940.
5. Gymnast Dad
Showing off to his daughter, Australia, 1940.
6. A Young Couple
Taiwan in 1940.
7. Taking Cover
The children of hop-pickers take cover in a trench in Kent, whilst watching a dogfight overhead during the Battle of Britain.
8. The Dunkirk Evacuation
War in 1940.
9. Walking Barefoot to School
Claiborne County, Tennessee, 1940.
10. Ronald Reagan Posing in 1940
He was chosen as an example of the ideal male body by the University of Southern California's fine arts department.
11. Anne Frank and Her Sister Margot
At the beach, Zandvoort, August of 1940.
12. German Soldiers Salute Their Officers
A cafe in Paris on Bastille Day, July, 1940.
13. Irish Soldiers
Performing a stop and search, 1940.
14. A Woman Walking in 1940
Wearing a rebellious mini-skirt.
15. The First Electronic General-Purpose Computer
Quite big in 1940.
16. Detroit
As seen from up high, 1940.
17. German Soldiers in France
Entering a Soldatenbordell, which is a former synagog.
18. Kids Playing
New York, 1940s.
19. Princess Elizabeth’s First Broadcast
14 years old in 1940. Buckingham Palace.
20. London in Color
From 1940.
21. Hedy Lamarr and James Stewart
In Hollywood Park, 1940.
22. Bride
Leaving her recently bombed home to get married, London, 1940.
23. Couple at the Beach
Atlantic City, at the segregated Chicken Bone Beach. 1940.
24. Milkman After London Blitz
A staged photo, but cool nonetheless. 1940.

1. The Bombing of London
Daily horrors, 1940.
2. Playing Guitar on the Porch
A 23-year-old, 1940.
3. Henry Ford and George Washington Carver
Famous friends in 1940.
4. Wartime Selfie
A couple in 1940.
5. Gymnast Dad
Showing off to his daughter, Australia, 1940.
6. A Young Couple
Taiwan in 1940.
7. Taking Cover
The children of hop-pickers take cover in a trench in Kent, whilst watching a dogfight overhead during the Battle of Britain.
8. The Dunkirk Evacuation
War in 1940.
9. Walking Barefoot to School
Claiborne County, Tennessee, 1940.
10. Ronald Reagan Posing in 1940
He was chosen as an example of the ideal male body by the University of Southern California's fine arts department.
11. Anne Frank and Her Sister Margot
At the beach, Zandvoort, August of 1940.
12. German Soldiers Salute Their Officers
A cafe in Paris on Bastille Day, July, 1940.
13. Irish Soldiers
Performing a stop and search, 1940.
14. A Woman Walking in 1940
Wearing a rebellious mini-skirt.
15. The First Electronic General-Purpose Computer
Quite big in 1940.
16. Detroit
As seen from up high, 1940.
17. German Soldiers in France
Entering a Soldatenbordell, which is a former synagog.
18. Kids Playing
New York, 1940s.
19. Princess Elizabeth’s First Broadcast
14 years old in 1940. Buckingham Palace.
20. London in Color
From 1940.
21. Hedy Lamarr and James Stewart
In Hollywood Park, 1940.
22. Bride
Leaving her recently bombed home to get married, London, 1940.
23. Couple at the Beach
Atlantic City, at the segregated Chicken Bone Beach. 1940.
24. Milkman After London Blitz
A staged photo, but cool nonetheless. 1940.