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Popular Songs/Movies in the 1940s
Songs:
Swinging On A Star - Bing Crosby
White Christmas - Bing Crosby
Take The "A" Train - Duke Ellington
God Bless The Child - Billie Holiday
Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Gene Autry Movies:
Casablanca
The Maltese Falcon
It's a Wonderful Life
Double Indemnity
Miracle on 34th Street -
Actors/Actresses in the 1940s
Actors:
Humphrey Bogart - Casablanca
Fred Astaire - Holiday Inn
Clark Gable - Boom Town
Laurence Olivier - Rebecca
Charlie Chaplin - The Great Dictator Actresses:
Maureen O'Hara - Miracle on 34th Street
Katharine Hepburn - The Philadelphia Story
Rita Hayworth - Gilda
Judy Garland - Meet Me in St. Louis
Joan Crawford - Mildred Pierce -
Fashion in the 1940s
Womens - Typically modeled after the utility clothes produced due to war rationing. Squared shoulders, narrow hips, and skirts that ended just below the knee. Tailored suits were also very popular. Mens - Due to war rationing, mens' clothes also changed. Zoot suits became popular, with baggy pants and large shoulders. Teenage boys often wore high-waisted pants/jeans with white socks and penny loafers. -
Literature released in the 1940s
Books:
Mildred Pierce (1941) - James M. Cain
A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (1943) - Betty Smith
Mother Goose (1944) - Tasha Tudor
Animal Farm (1945) - George Orwell
Stuart Little (1945) - E.B. White
The Diary of a Young Girl (1947) - Anne Frank
1984 (1949) - George Orwell Plays:
See How They Run (1944) - Philip King
A Streetcar Named Desire (1947) - Tennessee Williams
Death of a Salesman (1949) - Arthur Miller -
Tom and Jerry's debut
Hanna-Barbera's Tom and Jerry make their debut in Puss Gets the Boot (1940), but they don't get their names until 1941. -
Hattie McDaniel first African American to win Oscar
Hattie McDaniel won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Gone with the Wind (1939), but was unable to sit with her cast mates due to segregation laws. -
Nancy Pelosi born
Nancy Pelosi was born in Baltimore, Maryland. She is currently the 52nd Speaker of the House of Representatives and announced the start of the impeachment hearings of President Trump. -
Ringo Starr born
Ringo Starr (born or Richard Starkey) was born in Liverpool, England. He was the drummer for English rock band The Beatles from 1960 to 1970. Some notable works include:
"Blackbird" (1968) (with The Beatles)
"Octopus' Garden" (1969) (with The Beatles)
"Yellow Submarine" (1966) (with The Beatles) -
John Lennon born
John Lennon was born in Liverpool, England. He died on December 8, 1980. He was the co-lead vocalist of The Beatles and a peace activist. Some notable works include:
"Imagine" (1971)
"A Day in the Life" (1967) (with The Beatles)
"Eleanor Rigby" (1966) (with The Beatles) -
The Great Dictator released
Charlie Chaplin's only speaking movie, he directed, wrote, scored, and starred in his film mocking Adolf Hitler. -
FDR re-elected for a third time
Broke George Washington's example by running for a third and fourth term. -
Mount Rushmore completed
South Dakota's Mount Rushmore is finished with presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln to represent the first 130 years in American history. -
Citizen Kane released
Orson Welle's Citizen Kane is released, and most of the advertising and reviewing of the film was banned due to the political themes. -
Bernie Sanders born
Bernie Sanders was born in Brooklyn, New York. He is currently serving as one of the US Senators from Vermont. -
Pearl Harbor
The Japanese attack the US naval base in Honolulu, Hawaii. More than 2,300 were killed.
After this, the US is pulled into World War 2. -
Rosie the Riveter
Helped women get into the workforce -
Stephen Hawking born
Stephen Hawking was born in Oxford, England. He died on March 14, 2018. He was a physicist, cosmologist, and author. Some notable works include:
A Brief History of Time (1988)
The Universe in a Nutshell (2001)
On the Shoulders of Giants (2002) -
Muhammad Ali born
Muhammad Ali was born in Louisville, Kentucky. He died on June 3, 2016. He was a boxer, activist, and philanthropist. -
George Harrison born
George Harrison was born in Liverpool, UK. He died on November 29, 2001. He was the lead guitarist of The Beatles. Some notable works include:
"My Sweet Lord" (1970)
"What is Life" (1970)
"Got My Mind Set on You" (1987) -
Paul McCartney born
Paul McCartney was born in Liverpool, UK. He was the co-lead vocalist and bassist for The Beatles. Some notable works include:
"Hey Jude" (1968) (with The Beatles)
"Here Comes the Sun" (1969) (with The Beatles)
"Come Together" (1969) (with The Beatles) -
Harrison Ford born
Harrison Ford was born in Chicago, Illinois. He is an actor most famously known for portraying Indiana Jones and Han Solo. Some notable works include:
Star Wars series (1977 - 2019)
Indiana Jones series (1981 - 2008)
Blade Runner (1982) -
Martin Scorsese born
Martin Scorsese was born in Queens, New York. He is a director, producer, screenwriter, and actor. Some notable works include:
Goodfellas (1990)
Taxi Driver (1976)
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) -
Joe Biden born
Joe Biden was born in Scranton, Pennsylvania. He was Vice President of the United States from 2009 - 2017 and is currently running for president against President Trump. -
Billie Jean King born
Billie Jean King was born in Long Beach, California. She is a tennis player and an advocate for gender equality.
(See Battle of the Sexes (2017) for more) -
D-Day
Allied forces invaded France via beach landings in Normandy. -
FDR re-elected for a fourth time
Died during his final and fourth term. The 22nd Amendment soon passed officially limiting a president to 2 terms. -
Harry Truman inaugurated
Harry Truman becomes the 33rd President after FDR died due to a large hemorrhage. -
Adolf Hitler's suicide
While hiding in his underground bunker, Hitler commits suicide by swallowing a cyanide capsule and shooting himself in the head. -
Potsdam Conference
Harry Truman, Winston Churchill, and Joesph Stalin hold the first post-WW2 conference. -
Atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima
US atomic bomb "Enola Gay" dropped on Hiroshima. -
Atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki
Second US atomic bomb "Fat Man" dropped on Nagasaki -
V-Day
Japan surrenders to end WW2 -
Liza Minneli born
Liza Minneli was born in Hollywood, California. She is an actress and singer, and daughter of Judy Garland. Some notable works include:
Cabaret (1972)
The Sterile Cuckoo (1969)
Arthur (1981) -
Donald Trump born
Donald Trump was born in Queens, New York. He is the current President of the United States. -
Freddie Mercury born
Freddie Mercury was born in Stone Town, Zanzibar. He died on November 24, 1991. He was the lead vocalist of rock band Queen. Some notable works include:
"Bohemian Rhapsody" (1975) (with Queen)
"We Will Rock You" (1977) (with Queen)
"Don't Stop Me Now" (1978) (with Queen) -
David Bowie is born
David Bowie was born in London, England. He died on January 10, 2016. He was a singer-songwriter and actor. Some notable works include:
"Space Oddity" (1969)
"Heroes" (1977)
"Starman" (1972) -
"New Look"
French fashion designer Christian Dior introduces his collection, "New Look," which was very influential to women's fashion -
Elton John born
Elton John was born in Pinner, Middlesex, UK. He is a singer-songwriter, pianist, and composer. Some notable works include:
"Tiny Dancer" (1972)
"Candle in the Wind" (1974)
"I'm Still Standing" (1983) -
Stephen King born
Stephen King was born in Portland, Maine. He is an author of horror and supernatural books. Some notable works include:
The Shining (1977)
It (1986)
Carrie (1974) -
Hillary Clinton born
Hillary Clinton was born in Chicago, Illinois. She was the 67th Secretary of State from 2009 - 2013 and the First Lady from 1993 - 2001. -
Hollywood Ten
Hollywood filmmakers (such as Dalton Trumbo, Lester Cole, and Albert Malz) were targeted for supposedly supporting the Communist party.
In 1948, the men were found guilty and sentenced to a year in prison and a fine of $1,000.
(See Trumbo (2015) for more) -
Gandhi assassinated
Mahatma Gandhi, an activist who led India's independence from the UK, was shot by Hindu extremist Nathuram Godse -
World Health Organization (WHO) formed
WHO formed by the UN. Its main objective is "the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health." -
Prince Charles born
Prince Charles was born in London, England. He is the heir apparent to the British throne, and is Queen Elizabeth II's eldest son. -
First McDonald's opens
Brothers Maurice ("Mac) and Richard McDonald open their restaurant in San Bernardino, California. (See The Founder (2016) for more) -
NATO founded
NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) founded with 30 countries, including the US, France, Italy, Germany, and the UK, as members. -
Meryl Streep & Elizabeth Warren born
Meryl Streep was born in Summit, New Jersey. She is an actress, and is often described as the "best actress of her generation." Some notable works include:
Mamma Mia! (2008)
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Sophie's Choice (1982) Elizabeth Warren was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is one of the US Senators from Massachusetts and Vice Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus. -
Anna Wintour born
Anna Wintour was born in London, England. She is a journalist and has been editor-in-chief of Vogue since 1988. -
Actors in the 1950s
Actors:
James Dean (Rebel Without a Cause)
Cary Grant (North by Northwest)
Marlon Brando (On the Waterfront)
Gene Kelly (Singin' in the Rain)
Frank Sinatra (From Here to Eternity) Actresses:
Audrey Hepburn (Roman Holiday)
Elizabeth Taylor (Cat on a Hot Tin Roof)
Grace Kelly (Rear Window)
Doris Day (The Man Who Knew Too Much)
Lucille Ball (I Love Lucy) -
Literature released in the 1950s
Books:
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe - C.S. Lewis (1950)
The Catcher in the Rye - J.D. Salinger (1951)
Charlotte's Web - E.B. White (1952)
Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury (1953)
Casino Royale - Ian Fleming (1953)
The Fellowship of the Ring - J.R.R Tolkien (1954)
The Cat in the Hat - Dr. Seuss (1957) Plays:
The Crucible - Arthur Miller (1953)
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof - Tennessee Williams (1955) Poems:
The Unicorn, and Other Poems - Anne Morrow Lindbergh (1956) -
Fashion in the 1950s
Womens - Unpadded, rounded shoulders, shapely bust lines, closely-defined waist lines, and fully skirts. Blouses, jeans, and long, narrow skirts were also popular. Mens - Slim fitting suits, skinny ties, Letterman jackets, saddle shoes, and chunky glasses. Celebrities like Elvis (suede shoes) and James Dean (white t-shirt and leather jacket) had an influence on fashion. -
Songs/Movies released in 1950s
Songs:
Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
That's Amore - Dean Martin
Come Fly With Me - Frank Sinatra
Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
I've Got You Under My Skin - Frank Sinatra Movies:
Singin' in the Rain
12 Angry Men
Funny Face
To Catch a Thief
Godzilla -
Korean War begins
North Korea (USSR, China) invades South Korea (USA, UN) -
Sally Ride born
Sally Ride was born in Encino, California. She died on July 23, 2012. She was an astronaut and and physicist -
Robin Williams born
Robin Williams was born in Chicago, Illinois. He died on August 11, 2014. He was an actor, voice actor, comedian, and singer. Some notable works include:
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Dead Poets Society (1989)
Jumanji (1995) -
I Love Lucy premieres
CBS airs I Love Lucy, one of the first situation comedies. -
Mark Hamill born
Mark Hamill was born in Oakland, California. He is an actor, voice actor, and writer. He is most known for portraying Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars series. Some notable works include:
Star Wars series (1977 - 2019)
The Big Red One (1980)
Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) -
Kathryn Bigelow born
Kathryn Bigelow was born in San Carlos, California. She is a director, producer, and screenwriter. She is the first woman to win the "Best Director" Oscar in 2009. Some notable works include:
The Hurt Locker (2008)
Zero Dark Thirty (2012)
Point Break (1991) -
Elizabeth II accessioned
After her father, George VI, died on the same day, Elizabeth II became queen of England. -
Lee Hsien Loong born
Lee Hsien Loong was born in Singapore. He is the 3rd Prime Minister of Singapore since 2004. -
Vladimir Putin born
Vladimir Putin was born in Saint Petersburg, Russia. He was the President of Russia from 1999 - 2008 and again in 2012 - present. -
Dwight D. Eisenhower elected president
Eisenhower wins the popular vote and the electoral vote. He is the 3rd Army general to be president. -
Dr. Jonas Salk trials Polio cure
Dr. Jonas Salk announces he successfully a Polio vaccine. -
Xi Jinping born
Xi Jinping was born in Beijing, China. Since 2013, he is the President of the People's Republic of China. -
Oprah Winfrey born
Oprah Winfrey was born in Kosciusko, Mississippi. She is a talk show host, actress, and philanthropist. Some notable works include:
The Color Purple (1985)
Selma (2014)
A Wrinkle in Time (2018) -
Jeb Bush born
Jeb Bush was born in Midland, Texas. He was the 43rd Governor of Florida from 1999 - 2007. -
Brown v. Board of Education
US Supreme Court justices ruled that racial segregation of children in public schools is unconstitutional. -
Angela Merkel born
Angela Merkel was born in Hamburg, Germany. Since 2005, she has been the Chancellor of Germany. -
Condoleezza Rice born
Condoleezza Rice was born in Birmingham, Alabama. She was the 66th Secretary of State from 2005 - 2009. She was also the second African American to be Secretary of State (after Colin Powell) and the second female to be Secretary of State (after Madeleine Albright) -
Denzel Washington born
Denzel Washington was born in Mount Vernon, New York. He is an actor, director, and producer. Some notable works include:
Fences (2016)
Training Day (2001)
Malcom X (1992) -
Eddie Van Halen born
Eddie Van Halen was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands. He is a musician, songwriter, and producer. He is the lead songwriter in the band Van Halen. Some notable works include:
"Jump!" (1983)
"Hot for Teacher" (1984)
"Runnin' With The Devil" (1978) -
Steve Jobs born
Steve Jobs was born in San Francisco, California. He died on October 5, 2011. He was an inventor, business magnate, and co-founder of Apple. -
Disneyland opening
Disneyland opens after a year of construction. However, it was not ideal. The cement was still wet, it was over 100 degrees, and rides broke down.
But, one month later, the millionth guest entered the gates. -
Bill Gates born
Bill Gates was born in Seattle, Washington. He is a business magnate, software developer, and co-founder of Microsoft. -
Whoopi Goldberg born
Whoopi Goldberg (born Caryn Elaine Johnson) was born in Chelsea, New York. She is an actor, comedian, author, and television personality. Some notable works include:
Sister Act (1992)
The Color Purple (1985)
The Lion King (1994) -
Rosa Parks arrested
While refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger, Rosa Parks is arrested in Montgomery, Alabama. -
Tom Hanks born
Tom Hanks was born in Concord, California. He is an actor, director, producer, and screenwriter. Some notable works include:
Forrest Gump (1994)
Toy Story (1995)
Big (1988) -
Theresa May born
Theresa May was born in Eastbourne, United Kingdom. She was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2016 - 2019. She was the second female Prime Minister after Margaret Thatcher. -
Carrie Fisher born
Carrie Fisher was born in Burbank, California. She died on December 27, 2016. She was an actress, writer, and comedian. She is also the daughter of Debbie Reynolds. Some notable works include:
Star Wars series (1977-2019)
Shampoo (1975)
When Harry Met Sally (1989) -
Twenty-One quiz show scandal
NBC's quiz show, Twenty-One, was revealed to have given answers to one of the contestants. (Check out Quiz Show (1994) for more) -
Spike Lee born
Spike Lee was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a director, actor, screenwriter and producer. Some notable works include:
BlackKklansman (2018)
Malcom X (1992)
Do the Right Thing (1989) -
Little Rock Nine
Eisenhower sends US troops to help integrate nine African American students to Little Rock Central High School in Arkansas -
Prince is born
Prince (born Prince Rogers Nelson) was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He died on April 21, 2016. He was a singer-songwriter, dancer, actor and filmmaker. Some notable works include:
"1999" (1982)
"Little Red Corvette" (1983)
"Purple Rain" (1984) -
Madonna born
Madonna (born Madonna Louise Ciccone) was born in Bay City, Michigan. She is a singer-songwriter and actress. Some notable works include:
"Like a Virgin" (1984)
"Papa Don't Preach" (1986)
"La Isla Bonita" (1987) -
Michael Jackson born
Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana. He died on June 25, 2009. He was a singer-songwriter and dancer. Some notable works include:
"Billie Jean" (1983)
"Thriller" (1984)
"Black or White" (1991) -
Hawaii becomes the 50th state
Eisenhower signs a proclamation that admitted Hawaii to the Union. He also issued an order for a new American flag that features all 50 states, it was completed on July 4, 1960. -
