-
Germanys attack on Poland
Within days of the attack, President Roosevelt expanded the army to 227,000. -
France surrendered
Opinions on the peacetime draft changed after France surrendered to Germany. -
The 99th Pursuit Squadron
The air force created its first African American unit. -
Extending the Role of African Americans
Although the military did not end all segregation during the war, it did integrate military bases and steadily expanded the role of African Americans within the armed forces. -
Executive Order 8802
It stated, "there shall be no discrimination in the employment of workers in defense industries of government because of race, creed, color, or national origin." -
NHA
Roosevelt created the National Housing Agency to coordinate government housing programs. -
War Production
By the summer of 1942, almost all major industries and some 200,000 companies had converted to war production. -
WAAC
Congress first allowed women in the military by creating the Woman's Army Auxiliary Corps. It appointed War Department official Oveta Culp Hobby as WAAC's first director. -
Mexican Farmworkers
The federal government arranged for Mexicans farmworkers to help harvest crops in the Southwest as part of the Bracero Program, which continued until 1964 -
Soldiers and Sailors attack Mexicans Americans
After hearing rumors that soot-suiters had attacked several sailors, some 2,500 soldiers and sailors attacked Mexican American neighborhoods in Los Angeles. -
Racial Violence
Racial Violence erupted in Detroit, the Detroit Race Riot of 1943 was deeply rooted in racism, poor living conditions and unequal access to goods and services.