General fact: 40 is the number of positions on a number of radio countdown programs, most notably American Top 40 and American Country Countdown.
Mathematical fact: 40 is the only number whose letters are in alphabetical order.
Trivia: 40 is the number of attempts needed before the creation of the "water displacing" substance in the spray WD-40.
Historical date: February 9th is the day in 1959 that the R-7 Semyorka, the first intercontinental ballistic missile, becomes operational at Plesetsk, USSR.