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Bob Hope hosted his first ever Academy Award's Ceremony in 1940. He holds the record for the most times being a host, having hosted the ceremony eighteen times.
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The 1940 Olympic Games were originally scheduled to take place in Japan, but because of Japan's war with China, they passed on the responsibility to Finland. However, after Finland was invaded by Russia, it became apparent that hosting the games would not be safe. In spite of this, the 1940 Olympic Games were canceled.
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The first McDonald's was opened in 1940 by brothers Dick and Maurice McDonald in San Bernardino, California. The restaurant was originally a drive-in, but later progressed into a drive-through.
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Forrest Mars invented M&Ms candy in 1940. His intent was to make a candy that the soldiers fighting in the war could eat without getting their hands dirty. Also, the coating was to help prevent them from melting in the sun.
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This battle marked the end of the "Phony War." World War II was called this because before the Battle of France, neither side saw any serious military action. This battle ended on June 25, 1940, and resulted in 469,000 casualties.
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Walt Disney produced one of his many films, "Fantasia," in 1940. It made an astounding $6,047,613 it's opening weekend, playing at 481 screens throughout the country.
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The first mechanical color television set was invented by Peter Goldmark in 1940. However, it was not released to the market until 1951.
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Tiffany's in New York City became the first fully air conditioned store.
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Up until 1940, airplanes were only used for militaries. In 1940, however, airplanes could be used by anyone with the money to do so.
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Bette Davis wins the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in, "The Letter."
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My Grandpa Joe sendt in an application for the Air Force in 1940.
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A year after he entered the draft, my Grandpa Joe was selected to be in the air force.
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The jeep was first invented for the U.S. military by the American Bantam Car Company.
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The first Superman movie came out in 1941. The movie was an animated cartoon.
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The Battle of Moscow was where the Germans tried to take over Russia's capital. However, the Germans were unable to take over the city. The battle lasted until January 7, 1942, and ended with on million casualties.
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American inventors, Lyle David Goodloe and W.N. Sullivan invented the aerosol spray can.
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Duct tape was originally invented for the military to keep moisture out of ammunition boxes. The Permacel Division of Johnson and Johnson invented Duct Tape in 1942.
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In 1942, the first all-star bowling tournament was held. The champion was John Crimmins, forty seven years old at the time.
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C.S. Lewis published, "The Screwtape Letters," in 1942. This is one of his many books, including, "The Chronicles of Narnia."
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This Disney classic was directed by David Hand, Norman Wright, Samuel Armstrong, Paul Satterfield, Graham Heid, James Algar, and Bill Roberts. It was released on August 21, 1942.
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This was the bloodiest battle of the entire war, resulting in about 1,500,000 casualties. It lasted until February 2, 1943.
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Construction on the Pentagon began on September 11, 1941. It is one of the world's largest office buildings.
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The aqualung was invented by Emile Gagnan and Jacques Cousteau in 1943.
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Being warned of Germany's intention to "eliminate" Kursk, the Soviet Union was well prepared for this battle, and they won by a long shot. It lasted only until August 23, 1943. There were a total of about 330,000 casualties, but the Germans alone lost about 500,000 men, whether killed, wounded, or taken captive.
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In an attempt to make synthetic rubber, James Wright made Silly Putty instead.
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My Grandpa Joe began training for the Air Force in 1943.
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The Allied Forces' main objective in this battle was to break through the German's Gustav Line and gain control of Rome. The battle ended on May 18, 1944 and resulted in 185,000 casualties.
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This battle was between Germany and Stalin’s Red Army, and was one of the most intense battles of the war. It lasted until August 10, 1944, and resulted in 550,000 casualties.
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A total of 154 people were killed because of the outbreak of many tornadoes that hit Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, and Maryland in June of 1944.
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Bing Crosby wins the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in, "Going My Way."
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Willem Kolff invented the kidney dialysis machine in 1944.
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This was Germany's last major offensive in the war. It ended on January 25, 1945, and resulted in 186,369 casualties.
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Luzon, the largest island in the Philippines, was previously taken over by Japan. America had to wait until 1945 to launch an attack on Luzon, and when they did, the battle lasted until August 15, 1945. There were about 385,330 casualties.
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Earl Tupper invented Tupperware in 1945. Tupperware created a way to store food in a portable container.
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U.S. president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt died of a cerebral hemorrhage on April 12, 1945. Vice President Harry Truman took his place in office after his death.
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This was the last offensive in the war. The Allies invaded Berlin, defeating Germany. It lasted until May 2, 1945, and resulted in 1,298,745 casualties.
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It was discovered that consuming small amounts of fluoride could reduce tooth decay, so, Grand Rapids, Michigan began fluoridation of its water supply in 1945.
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Adolf Hitler was found dead on April 30, 1945. He shot himself through the head right before Germany lost the war.
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The war ended before my Grandpa Joe saw any real fighting.
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Pablo Picasso painted his painting, "Still Life," in 1945. This painting portrays everyday items.
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Babe Didrikson was named Woman Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press for the second time in 1945. She was names Woman Athlete of the Year five other times, in 1931, 1946, 1947, 1950, and 1954.
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Robert Oppenhiemer and a team of scientists in The Manhatten Project invented the atomic bomb in 1945.
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Jackie Robinson was hired as a shortstop for the Kansas City Monarchs, a baseball team in the Negro Leagues, in 1945. Two years later, he would be hired as a first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers, making history as the first African American to have a career in Major League Baseball.
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Bing Crosby came out with his Christmas album, "Merry Christmas," on Christmas Day of 1945. The album includes his song, "White Christmas," the best-selling single ever.
