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1942 Following the US entering the war , the mobilization of war efforts were quick and effective with car makers and other manufacturers changing to production of weapons of war . The war also created a new breed of movies with war themes , and one of the most popular songs of all time "White Christmas" from Bing Crosby first appeared in the movie "Holiday Inn" . The US sentiment towards Japanese following Pearl Harbor showed itself when 120,000 people of Japanese descent were sent internment camps. In late 1941 and early 1942 the war in the pacific was not going well with America losing Guam, Hong Kong, Wake, Singapore and the Philippines , but in late 1942 the US started to turn round the war with major offences at Midway and The Coral Sea. And meanwhile the allied forces in Europe invaded North Africa in November.



How Much things cost in 1942
Average Cost of new house $3,770.00
Average wages per year $1,880.00
Cost of a gallon of Gas 15 cents
Average Cost for house rent $35.00 per month
Bottle Coca Cola 5 cents
Average Price for a new car $920.00


What Events Happened in 1942

  • War Bonds introduced raising $13 billion
  • Cyclone in Bengal Bangladesh kills 61,000
  • Voice of America begins broadcasting
  • Car Makers switch from making cars to making War Materials
  • 26 countries agree to create the United nations




World War II

  • Following the United States joining the War it truly becomes a World War with most areas of the world effected in some way and choosing sides , There are so many important facts that happened in 1942 we have only a few facts and leave it to others more knowledgeable than ourselves to provide a more detailed account
  • German saboteurs who were part of Operation Pastorius are arrested and sentenced to death by a United States military commission executed on August 8th
  • British asked to bathe in 5 inches of water or less to help the war effort.
  • Singapore Surrenders to the Japanese
  • Norway under German Occupation is ruled by Vidkun Quisling,
  • The K9 corps begins training dogs for use in warfare
  • American and Filipino defenders surrender to the Japanese and are force marched on the "Bataan Death March"
  • In Allied countries around the world government war efforts encourage the population to help by giving scrap metal as much needed raw materials for guns and tanks
  • US Gas Rationing goes into effect 3 gallons per week
  • US Munitions Workers Give Up Labor Day Weekend Holidays to Help With War Effort
  • The Battle of Midway when Japanese attacked Midway and due to US strategy was a resounding success for US Forces which resulted in the loss of 322 aircraft and 3,500 men from the Japanese Navy.
  • Executive Order 9066 is signed into law which authorized the physical removal of all Japanese Americans into internment camps
  • Canada interns Japanese Canadians as possible security threats by evoking the War Measures Act.
  • The Mediterranean island of Malta is awarded the George Cross Medal for Bravery







Popular Culture

Popular Films

  • Road to Morocco, starring Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, and Dorothy Lamour


  • Casablanca


  • Bambi


  • Mrs. Miniver


  • Yankee Doodle Dandy


  • Holiday Inn

Popular Musicians

  • " White Christmas " Bing Crosby


  • " Deep in the heart of Texas " by Alvino Ray



Technology

  • Worlds first Nuclear Reactor Built in Chicago


  • Manhattan Project Started


  • Instant Coffee Introduced




    • Inventions Invented by Inventors and Country ( or attributed to First Use )
    Atomic Power USA by Enrico Fermi's team creating first self-sustaining chain reaction
    Napalm USA from Harvard University
    Guided Missile Germany by Werner von Braun