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Period: to
United States Timeline: The 1940s
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US Congress Reintroduces the draft
The US Cogress approves the first peacetime conscrition draft in anticipation od possible American involvement in WWII. -
Frankiln D. Roosevelt is elected for his 3rd term
Believed it to be his duty to continue in office during WWII. Only president to be elected for more than two terms in office. Led to the 22nd amendment that states: no person could be elected into the office of president more than twice. -
Lend-Lease Act is approved
US supplied Allied nations with materials and other supplied during WWII while technically staying neutral. -
RKO Pictures releases Citizen Kane
Considered one of the greatest films of all time, but was unable to regain its costs at the box office. -
Mt. Rushmore is completed
A monument dipicting four of our nation's most influential presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. -
Japanese Attack Pearl Harbor
Draws the US into WWII -
Executive Order 9066 is signed
Anyone of foreign enemy ancestry are held in relocation camps (especially Japanese-Americans). -
Battle of Midway
Important naval battle in the Pacific. -
Detriot Race Riots
Rioting and fighting between blacks and whites in Detriot. -
D-Day
Western Allied forces land in Normandy to liberate mainland Europe from Nazi occupation in WWII. -
G.I. Bill of Rights
Provided benefits for returning WWII vets. Low morgages and loans, tuition and living expenses to attend school, and one year of unemployment compensation. -
Americans land on Iwo Jima
An island that the US fought for and captured from the Japanese. It was used as an emergancy landing point for the planes carrying the atomic bombs. -
Harry S. Truman becomes President
New president who decided to bomb Japan, even though it was a controversial issue. Led to a turning point in foreign affairs. He also helped create the UN. -
Germany Surrenders
The end of WWII. -
Manhattan Project begins
Research and development of the first atomic bomb. -
Bombing of Hiroshima
Caused thousands of civilian casualties. Led to the Japanese surrender. -
Bombing of Nagasaki
Caused thousands of civilian casualties. Led to the Japanese surrender. -
First Meeting of the United Nations General Assembly
A new association in which all member nations have equal representation. They discuss important topics such as peace and security issues. -
NBA is founded
The premier men's professional basketball league in the world. -
Jackie Robinson debut
Plays first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers. The first black man to play in major league baseball. -
Marshall Plan
US gave money to European countries to help rebuils their economies after WWII to prevent the spread of communism. -
President Tuman re-elected
Confirmed that the Democratic Party was the nation's majority party. -
NATO is formed
North American Treaty Organization. Member nations agree to mutual defense in response to an attack on a member by an external party. Members are from North America and Europe.