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History by the Decades

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The 1940s

Nov. 23, 1947

Baugh's Day: Fans give Sammy Baugh a maroon station wagon in celebration of "Sammy Baugh Day" at Griffith Stadium. Baugh responded by throwing six touchdown passes in routing the Chicago Cardinals 45-21.

June 13, 1947

High Note: Redskins Band performs at Philadelphia Inquirer's Famed Festival of Music alongside the Philharmonic.

Sept. 6, 1946

Charity Game: The first annual Redskins-Rams game for benefit in Los Angeles Times charities, Inc., draws 68,188 and nets Boys Club a sum of $96, 711.23.

Sammy Baugh was drafted by the Redskins in 1937. (AP Photo)

Dec. 16, 1945

One Point: In subzero temperature, the Redskins lose in the NFL title game to the Cleveland Rams on incredibly freakish plays. Sammy Baugh's pass from the end zone hits the goal post for safety. Bob Waterfield's extra point attempt hits the crossbar and barely bounces over. The Redskins' Joe Aguirre tried a 31-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter, but strong winds gusting into Cleveland's Municipal Stadium toyed with the ball and sent it just wide of the goal post. The Rams hold on for the win, 15-14.

Dec. 9, 1945

East Champs: The Redskins record their second consecutive shutout with a 17-0 win over the New York Giants, giving Washington the Eastern Conference crown.

July 30, 1945

'T' Time: The Redskins abandon the double-wing formation and adopt the T-formation backfield.

Dec. 26, 1943

Runner-Up: The Redskins and Chicago Bears again face off in the NFL championship game. Sammy Baugh suffers a concussion early in the game while tackling Sid Luckman on a punt return. The Bears dominate, 41-21.

Dec. 19, 1943

Division Title: After two consecutive losses—both to the New York Giants—to close out the regular season, the Redskins travel to New York to face the Giants in an Eastern Conference playoff game. The Redskins bounce back and rout the Giants, 28-0.

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Dec. 13, 1942

World Champs: In the NFL championship game, a rematch with Chicago, the Bears struck first when Lee Artoe returned a fumble 52 yards for a score. Sammy Baugh's 80-yard quick kick put the Bears on their heels. The Redskins got on the scoreboard when Baugh threw a 42-yard TD pass to Wilbur Moore, who made a breathtaking over-the-helmet catch in stride while tumbling into the end zone. Andy Farkas capped the scoring with a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter and the Redskins were World Champs with a 14-6 victory.

Sept. 27, 1942

Only Loss: The New York Giants fail to make a first down, gain only one rushing yard and complete just one pass—but it's good for a touchdown. An interception return accounted for the Giants other score, and the Redskins are dealt their only loss of the 1942 season, 14-7.

Dec. 7, 1941

Infamous Day: The Redskins salvage a winning season with a 20-14 win over the Philadelphia Eagles, but no one celebrated. Everyone's thoughts were on Pearl Harbor and war. Two of the Redskins brightest stars—Frankie Filchock and Wayne Millner—would enlist in the U.S. Navy.

Nov. 23, 1941

Title Escapes: With 50 seconds left in the Eastern Championship game, the Redskins hold a 13-10 lead. But the New York Giants score on a field goal and a touchdown to pull out the win, 20-13.

Aug. 18, 1941

Westward Ho: Redskins bring pro football on a large scale for the first time to California. The team establishes training quarters in San Diego at the Brown Military Academy.

Dec. 8, 1940

73 to Ohhh: The Chicago Bears avenged the 7-3 defeat earlier in the season by handing Washington one of the worst defeats in NFL history. Amazingly, the Redskins had more first downs than the Bears but still lost at Griffith Stadium, 73-0. The Bears unveiled a T-formation backfield and used it to dominate the game.

Dec. 1, 1940

East Champs: Redskins cap a 9-2 season by clinching Eastern Championship with a 13-6 win over the Philadelphia Eagles

Nov. 17, 1940

Controversial Win: Redskins defeat Chicago Bears 7-3, with the game ending on a controversial play when a pass by Bears quarterback Sid Luckman fell incomplete in the end zone and the Bears screamed "interference."

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History by the Decades

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