In 1942 the war was raging in Europe and the Pacific. On the home front Detroit is making only war vehicles, there are no new cars and passenger truck being made. Women are joining the war effort and the armed services to help the war effort. Soldiers have instant coffee in their K-rations, thanks to Maxwell House and the first US jet airplane is tested. In April, cities along the Atlantic coast have a nighttime blackout and the legs of "pin up," Betty Grable, are insured by Lloyds of London for $1 million!

• On January 20, Nazi leaders attend the Wannsee Conference, chaired by Reinhard Heydrich, head of the Nazi secret police. The meeting is to coordinate "final solution to the Jewish question," this was known as the Holocaust.
• Japanese troops take control of Manila forcing General MacArthur to retreat.
• Daylight Saving Time goes into effect on February 9 and will continue until September 20, 1945.
• On February 18, President Roosevelt signs Executive Order 9066. 120,000 Japanese-Americans in the Pacific Coast of the U.S. are to be moved to "internment camps."
• May 14, Congress founds the WACS, the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corp.
• From June 3 – 6 American fought the Japanese at Midway Islands in the Pacific. The American victory was important because it kept the Japanese out of Hawaii.
• Women join the Navy in July when Congress approves the creation of the WAVES, Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service.
• Because of WWII, the World Cup and Wimbledon are cancelled, but from September 30 – October 5 the World Series is played as St. Louis Cardinals defeat the NY Yankees in 5 games.
• In Chicago, on December 2 the first nuclear reaction is created by Enrico Fermi and his colleagues. This was part of the Manhattan Project, the US effort to build an atomic bomb.
• Chelmno, a death camp in Poland, becomes the first death camp to use gas. 2,300 Polish Jews are killed on December 8.
• 1942 was a great year in film, "Casablanca" starring Humphrey Bogart & Ingrid Bergman premieres in theaters. "Woman of the Year" starring Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn is released. James Cagney starred in "Yankee Doodle Dandy."
• Frank Sinatra made his singing debut, Glenn Miller and directs the Air Force Band, Bing Crosby is crooning White Christmas from the film "Holiday Inn."
• American, British and German subs get equipped with radar equipment.
• Golden Books publishes first book, The Pokey Little Puppy.

15^th Annual Academy Awards
Best Picture: Mrs. Miniver
Best Actress: Green Garson in Mrs. Miniver
Best Actor: James Cagney in Yankee Doodle Dandy

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1940s

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last updated 12/04/05