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The 1940 Census
The 1940 census shows a United States population of 132,164,569. This would be the lowest growth rate of the 20th century. It represented an increase of 7.3% since 1930. -
President Roosevelt was re-elected.
FDR wins the presidential election against Wendell Wilkie, making him the first president to serve three terms. -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
At 7:55 a.m., the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, begins. As a result of this attack, American troops were inserted into World War II. The United States of America declares war on Japan the next day, formally entering World War II. The United States declares war on Germany and Italy on December 11, 1941, in response to their declaration of war on America. -
Executive Order 9066
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs Executive Order 9066, confining 110,000 Japanese Americans on the West Coast, including 75,000 civilians, in resettlement camps. -
D-Day
The Normandy Invasion, also known as D-Day, happens when 150,000 Allied soldiers, including those from the United States and eleven other Allies, land in France. These troops come from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Czechoslovakia, France, Greece, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, and the United Kingdom. -
The G.I. Bill
The G.I. Bill is signed into law, giving benefits to veterans. -
The Yalta Conference
President Roosevelt, Prime Minister Churchill, and Premier Josef Stalin hold the Yalta Conference in the Soviet Union from February 4-11. -
VP Harry Truman assumes Presidency
The unexpected death of president Roosevelt leads to the Presidency of Harry Truman. -
The Bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
President Harry S. Truman authorizes the use of the atomic bomb. The first bomb is dropped on Hiroshima, and the second bomb is dropped on Nagasaki, Japan, three days later. -
Emperor Hirohito of Japan surrenders.
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The Atomic Bomb Commision is Established.
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Executive Order 9981
July 26, 1948 - Executive Order 9981, ending segregation in the United States military, is signed into effect by President Harry S. Truman. -
NATO is Formed
The North American Treaty Organization, is formed by the United States, Canada, Belgium, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the United Kingdom. The treaty stated that any attack against one nation would be considered an attack against them all. -
Thirty-five military advisors are sent to South Vietnam to give military and economic aid to the anti-Communist government.
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Fighting Ends in Korean War
The United Nations Command, including the United States, and the combatants North Korea and the Republic of China sign an armistice agreement.