Past Simple vs Past Continuous

Something that started and finished at a stated time in the past.

Past routines and habits.

Situations or states which were true in the past.

Actions that happened one after another in the past.

Past actions which won't happen again.

Actions that were in progress at a stated time in the past.

Two or more actions that were in progress at the same time in the past.

Giving background information in a story.

An action that was in progress in the past that was interrupted by another.