1. The 1940s

2. 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.

3. 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 1949- an alliance system between the US and Eastern European countries stating that if one is attacked they will come to the others aid.

4. 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 )

5. 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1930s- Early 1940s; helped Allies detect planes during WWII 1940: Jeeps - Created for the US military 1945: Slinky -originally made of metal 1946: Microwave Oven 1948: Velcro - George D. Mestral came up with the idea after taking his dog for a walk and getting burrs stuck to his pants.

6. 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 1948 - 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.

7. 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.

8. 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

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

10. Events  1940: Bugs Bunny debuts in “A Wild Hare”  Sept 2. 1940: 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Sports  Events cancelled because of WWII -Tour De France 1940-1946 -1940 Olympic Games both Summer and Winter -The British Open Golf Tournament1940-1945  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