The 1940s

America enters WWII: “A date which will live in infamy”  December 7, 1941: Pearl Harbor Japanese fighter planes strike the US naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii -20 American vessels were destroyed, 8 battleships, & almost 200 airplanes were destroyed -More than 2,000 Americans were killed during the attack, with 1,000 more wounded  December 8, 1941: President Roosevelt asks Congress to declare war on Japan  Germany & Italy declare War on the US; The US declares war back.

The End of the War  Harry Truman becomes president in 1945 after Roosevelt’s death in April  United Nations established 1945 – in order to maintain international peace and security  The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is established in an alliance system between the US and Eastern European countries stating that if one is attacked they will come to the others aid.

The End of the War  The Manhattan Project: the American effort to build an atomic bomb, -July 16, 1945: The first atomic bomb is tested in New Mexico - a flash of light became visible for 200 miles, a mushroom cloud reached 40,000 feet into the air, and created a crater half a mile wide.  US drops the atomic bomb on Hiroshima (Aug. 6 th ) and Nagasaki (Aug. 9 th )

Technology and Inventions Radar (Radio Detection And Ranging) -Developed in late 1930s- Early 1940s; helped Allies detect planes during WWII 1940: Jeeps - Created for the US military 1945: Slinky -originally made of metal 1946: Microwave Oven 1948: Velcro - George D. Mestral came up with the idea after taking his dog for a walk and getting burrs stuck to his pants.

M&Ms  1941: M&Ms -The idea was created by Forrest Mars (Mars’ father was the creator of the Milky Way), Mars was looking for a surplus of chocolate and sugar to make the candies. -Mars was approached by Bruce Murrie (The son of a Hershey executive) who could ensure the supply Mars needed. Murrie joined Mars in his business venture. -During this time, chocolate sales declined during summer months because of lack of air conditioning. Mars wanted to be able to create a candy that would not resist melting in high temperatures - First M&Ms sold in cardboard tubes, the brown bag was introduced in After the US entered WWII, the candy was exclusively sold to the military – they were heat resistant and easy to transport in soldier’s rations.

Fashion  Materials were rationed for war in the early 1940s: rayon, nylon, wool, leather, rubber, metal,  Floral Prints (early 1940s)  Geometric (Atomic) Prints (Late 1940s)  War themed attire : army green, patriotic colors Men’s Fashion:  Trying to save material for war efforts, suits become more tailored. Darker colored suits such as black, navy, and charcoal become popular.  Also, common to see men in uniform during the War.

Music  Popular styles: Jazz, Big Band  Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, Dean Martin 1945: Bing Crosby & Christmas Music -White Christmas, Silent Night, I’ll be Home for Christmas, Jingle Bells, Santa Claus is coming to town 1946: Blue Moon of Kentucky- Bill Monroe 1949: I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry- Hank Williams 1949: Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer

Film  Pinocchio (1940)  The Grapes of Wrath(1940)  Bambi (1942)  Casablanca (1943)  It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)

Events  1940: Bugs Bunny debuts in “A Wild Hare”  Sept : The Smoky Mountain National Park is dedicated by FDR  1941: Mt. Rushmore is completed  June 22, 1944: The GI Bill of Rights is signed into law providing benefits for Veterans  1945: Decapitated Rooster named Mikes lives for 18 months

Events  July 16, 1945: The first atomic bomb is tested in New Mexico  1945: A plane crashes into the Empire State Building  June 6, 1946: The Basketball Association of America is founded. It becomes known as the NBA (National Basketball Association) in 1949 after a merger with the National Basketball League

Arts/ Theatre/Literature  1940: For Whom The Bell Tolls – Ernest Hemingway  1945: Animal Farm- George Orwell  1947: The Diary of Anne Frank-Anne Frank  1949: Nineteen Eighty-Four- George Orwell

Sports  Events cancelled because of WWII -Tour De France Olympic Games both Summer and Winter -The British Open Golf Tournament  Many baseball players join the military to serve during the war.  Baseball was segregated, but Jackie Robinson was chosen to help integrate the sport  1945: Jackie Robinson breaks the color barrier- signs to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers