1940-1949

By CassieSmith96

  • Census

    Census
    The 1940 census indicates a United States population of 132,164,569. This represented an increase of 7.3% since 1930, the lowest rate of increase in the 20th century.

  • Pearl Harbor

    Pearl Harbor
    The attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, commences at 7:55 a.m. when Japanese fighter planes launch a surprise attack on United States soil, destroying the U.S. Pacific Fleet docked at the base.

  • First Atomic Bomb

    First Atomic Bomb
    The development of the first atomic bomb is signed into agreement between the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt in Hyde Park, New York.

  • Tunisia

    Tunisia
    The United States encounters its first major defeat in the European theater of World War II at the Battle for Kasserine Pass in Tunisia.

  • Veterans

    Veterans
    The G.I. Bill of Rights is signed into law, providing benefits to veterans.

  • Harry S. Truman

    Harry S. Truman
    President Harry S. Truman gives the go-ahead for the use of the atomic bomb with the bombing of Hiroshima. Three days later, the second bomb is dropped on Nagasaki, Japan.

  • Atomic Bomb

    Atomic Bomb
    The Atomic Energy Commission is established.

  • Marshall Plan

    Marshall Plan
    Secretary of State George C. Marshall proposes aid extension to European nations for war recovery, known as the Marshall Plan, which would lead to Congressional approval of $12 billion over the following four years.

  • Executive Order 9981

    Executive Order 9981
    Executive Order 9981, ending segregation in the United States military, is signed into effect by President Harry S. Truman.

  • Korea

    Korea
    United States withdraws its troops from Korea.