1942-1953

  • Jefferson Memorial

    dedicated on the 200th anniversary of Thomas Jefferson's birth by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in Washington D.C.
  • First atomic bomb

    The development of the first atomic bomb is signed into an agreement between the Prime Minister of Great Britain, Winston Churchill, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt
  • invasion of Normandy

    Allied soldiers stormed the beaches of France to begin the World War II invasion of Europe that would lead to the liberation of Paris.
  • battle of Okinawa

    American troops invade Okinawa, beginning the Battle of Okinawa, which would continue until June 21
  • President Roosevelt dies

    President Roosevelt dies suddenly
  • Germany Surrenders

  • Philippines is Independent

    The island nation of the Philippines is given their independence by the United States.
  • Truman Doctrine

    The Truman Doctrine is announced to the U.S. Congress. When passed it would grant $400 million in aid to Greece and Turkey to battle Communist terrorism
  • Marshall Plan

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

    The Soviet Union begins its land blockade of the Allied sectors of Berlin, Germany.
  • NATO

    the North American Treaty Organization, is formed by the United States, Canada, and ten Western European nations. The treaty stated that any attack against one nation would be considered an attack against them all.
  • Development of Hydrogen Bomb

    January 31, 1950 President Harry S. Truman orders the development of the hydrogen bomb, in response to the detonation of the Soviet Union's first atomic bomb in 1949.
  • The Korean War

    The Korean War begins its three-year conflict when troops of North Korea, backed with Soviet weaponry, invade South Korea. This act leads to U.S. involvement when two days later, the United States Air Force and Navy are ordered by President Truman to the peninsula.
  • 22nd amendment

    February 27 1951 The Twenty-second Amendment to the United States Constitution, limiting Presidents to two terms, is ratified.
  • Expiration of The Marshall Plan.

    December 31 1951. The Marshall Plan expires after distributing more than $13.3 billion USD in foreign aid to rebuild Europe.
  • Dwight D. Eisenhower became the 34th president

    Dwight D. Eisenhower(R) is sworn in as the 34th President of the United States.
  • U.S. Nuclear Submarine

    June 14 1952 the keel is laid for the U.S. nuclear submarine USS Nautilus.
  • Announcement of Hydrogen Bomb

    On January 7 1953 President Harry S. Truman announces the United States has developed a hydrogen bomb.
  • Nuclear Test.

    May 25 1953, Nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site, United States conducts its first and only nuclear artillery test.