The worst thing that ever happened: 3 Sep 1939

Seventy-two years ago, Britain declared war on Germany to honor its defense pact with Poland. France and most of the Commonwealth nations--Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa--did the same. Yet the Allies did little to thwart the German blitzkrieg, which would continue unabated for another month. Above: a French soldier takes time out to pick flowers along the roadside in what wags called the "Sitzkrieg."

For all the bad press he later received, it's worth noting that it was Neville Chamberlain who made the declaration of war. Winston Churchill would not become prime minister until May 1940. Blue skies! -- Dan Ford