In 1940 Italy declares War on France and England.
Benito Mussolini was the founder of the Italian Nationalist Party, (Fasci di Combattimento) who became Prime Minister of Italy on the 31st of October 1922 due to fears of Communist growth in the country. By the 24th of December 1925 Mussolini used secret police to destroy all opposition and become the first fascist dictator of Europe. As leader of the German Nationalist party with similar aspirations, Hitler became a fan of Mussolini and when he also came to power the two leaders signed a non-military alliance with Germany. Advances of Germany and Italy on other nations in Europe and Africa were highly opposed by both Britain and France leading to the prospect of War.
On the 22nd of May 1939 Hitler and Mussolini signed the Pact of Steel which was aimed mainly against the British and French threat and assured that either nation would come to the others aid if war was declared.
When Germany began its invasion of Poland between 1 of September 1939 – 6th of October 1939 Great Britain and France were preparing for possible warfare. On the morning of the 3rd of September 1939 the British Ambassador to Germany, Neville Henderson, handed a communiqué to the German government stating that unless Germany gave a response declaring that they would withdraw from Poland than both Great Britain and France would be in a state of war with Germany. When the response didn’t materialise Prime Minister Neville Chamberlin addressed the UK and informed them of that they were now at war with Germany.
Hitler expected Mussolini to declare war on Britain and France in response but the declaration didn’t come. Then on this day when Germany had conquered much of Europe and was in the final stages of conquering France (Battle of France 10th May – 22nd of June 1940) Mussolini finally declared war on France and Britain. "First they were too cowardly to take part. Now they are in a hurry so that they can share in the spoils," remarked Hitler.
In 1692 the first victim of the Salem Witch Trials was found Guilty and hung.
After the daughter and niece of Reverend Samuel Parris become ill and started displaying fits the doctor of the puritan village claimed the cause was witch craft. On the 1st of March 1692 three young women were captured for the crime. Sarah Goode, Sarah Osborne, and a slave from Barbados named Tituba were all accused of witchcraft and after a day of questioning, and possibly torture, Tibuta confessed to the charges. After more people became ill the residents of Salem began searching for more witches and within a few months they had captured 150 people of the crime including women, men and a four year old child. In June 1692 Chief Justice William Stoughton began trying the accused starting with Bridget Bishop who was found guilty and hanged on the 10th of June. Many more were convicted and executed for the crime, usually by hanging although Giles Corey was killed by crushing. In October of that year the court was dissolved and the witch trials officially ended, but in the four months of the Salem witch trials 19 people were executed.
