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««« 1939 1938 1937 1936 1935	1940 in Norway	»»» 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945
Decades: 1920s • 1930s • 1940s • 1950s • 1960s Centuries: 18th • 19th • 20th • 21st See also: 1940 in Norwegian football Other events of 1940 List of years in Norway

1940 is the year when Norway becomes drawn into World War II. On April 9 Nazi Germany invades the country which, however spared many of the atrocities which befell other nations, remains occupied until May 8, 1945. See the article Occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany for a full exposition of World War II in Norway.

Incumbents

• King of Norway - Haakon VII of Norway
• Prime Minister of Norway - Johan Nygaardsvold (in exile in London)

Events

• 16 February - Altmark Incident: The British destroyer Cossack pursues the German tanker Altmark into Jøssingfjord in southwestern Norway.
• 9 April - Germany invades Norway and Norway is at war for the first time since 1814. The British campaign in Norway is simultaneously commenced.
• 9 April - Stavanger Airport, Sola is attacked and captured by the Germans.
• 5 May - Hegra Fortress capitulates after all other Norwegian forces in southern Norway have laid down their arms (see Battle of Hegra Fortress).
• 10 June - Norway surrenders to German forces.
• Norsk Hydro begins construction of a magnesium carbonate plant at Herøya, but the German invasion of Norway stops the plans.

Arts and literature

• Sigurd Christiansen, novelist and playwright is awarded the literature prize Gyldendal's Endowment

Births

January to March

• 2 January - Karenanne Gussgard, judge
• 31 January - Martin Schøyen, businessman, traveller, historian, paleographer and book collector
• 4 March - Arild Lund, politician
• 10 March - Ove Rullestad, politician
• 10 March - Finn Thorsen, international soccer player

Svein Alsaker

• 11 March - Svein Alsaker, politician
• 11 March - Kirsten Engelstad, librarian

April to June

• 5 April - Georg Apenes, jurist and politician
• 7 April - Rune Skarstein, economist
• 14 April - Per Aunet, politician
• 16 April - Berit Mørdre Lammedal, cross country skier and Olympic gold medallist
• 18 April - Hans Flock, judge
• 8 May - Karl Erik Harr, painter, illustrator, graphic artist and author
• 12 May - Svein Hatløy, architect, professor and founder of the Bergen School of Architecture
• 16 May - Kjetil Bang-Hansen, actor, dancer, stage producer and theatre director
• 20 May - Frode Thingnæs, jazz composer, arranger, conductor and trombone player
• 25 May - Gunnar Skaug, politician (d.2006)
• 29 May - Kjell Helland, politician

Svenn Kristianssen

• 30 May - Svenn Kristiansen, politician
• 19 June - Tor Røste Fossen, soccer player and manager

Oddvard Nilsen

• 24 June - Oddvard Nilsen, politician

July to September

• 3 July - Tor Nymo, politician
• 6 July - Kristine Rusten, politician (d.2003)
• 12 July - Anne Marie Blomstereng, politician
• 14 July - Oddbjørn Hågård, politician
• 15 July - Thor-Eirik Gulbrandsen, politician
• 30 July - Kjellfred Weum, hurdler
• 26 August - Gudleiv Forr, journalist and political commentator
• 28 August - Odd Holten, politician
• 15 September - Jorunn Hareide, historian of literature

October to December

• 1 October - Knut Vartdal, politician
• 4 October - Erik Dalheim, politician
• 5 October - Eldrid Lunden, poet
• 8 October - Knut Erik Jensen, film director
• 1 November - Jon Skolmen, actor and comedian
• 10 November - Stein Winge, actor, stage producer and theatre director
• 11 November - Arne Rinnan, ship's captain
• 12 November - Magnar Sætre, politician (d.2002)
• 11 December - Ann-Marit Sæbønes, politician
• 12 December - Bjørn Skogmo, diplomat
• 15 December - Per Rolf Sævik, politician
• 19 December - Kirsti Coward, judge
• 21 December - Rolf Sagen, author

Full date unknown

• Gunnar Berge, politician and Minister

Helen Bøsterud

• Helen Bøsterud, politician and Minister
• Grete Knudsen, politician and Minister
• Einar Økland, poet, playwright, essayist and children's writer
• Mona Røkke, politician and Minister
• Atle Thowsen, historian
• Tove Liv Veierød, politician and Minister

Deaths

January to June

• 17 February - Waldemar Christofer Brøgger, geologist and mineralogist (b.1851)
• 9 April - Øyvinn Øi, military officer (b.1901)
• 9 April - Odd Isaachsen Willoch, naval officer (b.1885)
• 29 April - Ole Lilloe-Olsen, rifle shooter and Olympic gold medallist (b.1883)

July to December

• 1 August - Erling Falk, businessman and politician (b.1887)

Johan Anker

• 2 October - Johan Anker, sailor, yacht designer and double Olympic gold medallist (b.1871)
• 2 October - Anders Platou Wyller, philologist and humanist (b.1903)
• 24 October - Johan Wollebæk, jurist and diplomat (b.1875)
• 6 November - Ivar Andresen, opera singer (b.1896)
• 10 November - Michael Staksrud, speed skater and World Champion (b.1908)
• 19 December - Hendrik Christian Andersen, sculptor, painter and urban planner in America (b.1872)

Full date unknown

• Thorvald Astrup, architect (b.1876)
• Hans Dons, naval officer and the first Norwegian to fly in Norway (b.1882)
• Nicolai A. Grevstad, diplomat, politician and newspaper editor in America (b.1851)
• Severin Andreas Heyerdahl, physician (b.1870)
• Daniel Isaachsen, physicist (b.1859)
• Christian Sparre, politician (b.1859)
• Jacob Vidnes, trade unionist, newspaper editor and politician (b.1875)
• Leif Welding-Olsen, naval commander, first casualty in the war between Norway and Nazi Germany (b.1895)