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The Wannsee Conference, convened by Reinhard Heydrich, was a meeting, made up of senior government officials of Nazi Germany and Schutzstaffel leaders, to coordinate a European-wide “Final Solution of the Jewish Question.”
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The Auschwitz-Birkenau camp was established in Auschwitz. It had over 40 concentration and extermination camps.
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Czech agents assassinate Reinhard Heydrich.
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Congress passes the Synthetic Liquid Fuels Act authorizing the Bureau of Mines to build energy research laboratories.
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Congress in the Flood Control Act confirmed the authorization of the Southwestern Power Administration created by President Roosevelt through a series of Executive and Departmental orders.
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President Roosevelt dies. Harry S. Truman becomes President.
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Germany surrenders to the Allies, bringing an end to the European conflict in World War II.
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The gun model uranium bomb, called Little Boy, is dropped on Hiroshima, Japan.
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The implosion model plutonium bomb, called Fat Man, is dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. Five days later, Japan surrenders.
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President Truman signs the Atomic Energy Act, transferring Manhattan Project assets and responsibilities to the civilian Atomic Energy Commission.
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Soviet Union begins blockade of West Berlin.
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Soviet Union detonates first atomic device.
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North Korea invades South Korea. The Korean War begins.
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Dwight D. Eisenhower is inaugurated President.
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President Eisenhower delivers the “Atoms for Peace” speech at the United Nations launching efforts to develop peaceful uses of nuclear energy both at home and abroad.