Tuesday, September 21, 1999 Published at 08:40 GMT 09:40 UK
Most people in Britain discovered that the UK was at war with Germany via announcements on BBC radio.
The King speaks to his peoples
After the declaration of war King George VI made this broadcast from Buckingham Palace.
Chelsea pensioners remember
Pensioners from the Royal Hospital in Chelsea reflect on the outbreak of the war.
President Roosevelt proclaims neutrality
America was keen to maintain its neutrality at the outset of the war - President Roosevelt said: "There will be no blackout of peace in the United States".
Read the news headlines from the September 1939.
The air raid warden's tale
When war broke out in 1939 veteran politician Baroness Castle - then 28 - worked as an air raid warden in London.
A growing sense of gloom
Tony Benn was just 14 when war broke out, but he clearly recalls listening to the prime mininster's radio broadcast on that fateful day.
When Britain declared war on Germany on 3 September 1939 Nazi leader Adolf Hitler was stunned.
The day war was declared
Dame Vera Lynn, Tony Benn MP Barbara Castle and Chelsea Pensioners remember the day war was declared.
Sights and sounds
BBC News Online has delved into the BBC Archives for eyewitness accounts of the day when war broke out.
The forces' sweetheart
Dame Vera Lynn remembers her feelings when she first heard Britiain was at war.