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EO 9066 Signed Into Law
Executive Order 9066 was signed into law by President Roosevelt that would intern 110,000 Japanese Americans to relocation camps during WWII -
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Battle of Midway
The battle for Midway Island (halfway between the US and Japan) was a decisive battle the U.S. Navy fleet won and was the first lost by the Japanese Naval fleet. This was an important win for the U.S. -
Race Riots
Race riots broke out in Detriot and Harlem causing 40 deaths and 700 injuries. -
D-Day
The Normandy invasion (D-Day) started when 155,000 Allied troops landed the beaches of France. -
G.I. Bill
The G.I. bill of rights is signed into law that gave veterans benefits. -
FDR Elected to Fourth Term as President
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Wartime Internment of Japanese Americans validated
United States Supreme Court rules in the case of Korematsu vs. the United States, the wartime internment of Japanese Americans on the West Coast was valid during a time of war -
President Roosevelt suddenly dies
President Roosevelt dies suddenly; Vice President Harry S. Truman assumes the presidency and role as commander in chief of World War II. -
Germany Surrenders
The unconditional surrender of Germany in the European campaign of WWII happens at Reims, France. -
First Atomic Bomb Test
The first atomic bomb, the Trinity Test, is exploded at Alamogordo, New Mexico -
Atomic Bomb Dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
President Truman gives the go-ahead for the use of the atomic bomb with the bombing of Hiroshima. Three days later, the second bomb is dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. On August 15, Emperor Hirohito of Japan surrenders. -
UN is created
The United Nations is created that includes 51 countries. -
Atomic Energy Commission is created
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Truman Doctrine
The Truman Doctrine is announced to the U.S. Congress. When passed it would grant $400 million in aid to Greece and Turkey to battle Communist terrorism. President Truman signed the act into law on May 22. -
Marshall Plan
Secretary of State George C. Marshall proposes aid extension to European nations for war recovery, known as the Marshall Plan, which would lead to Congressional approval of $12 billion over the following four years. -
Soviet blockade of Berlin
The Soviet Union begins its land blockade of the Allied sectors of Berlin, Germany. A counter blockade by the west was put into effect, as well as a British and U.S. airlift of supplies and food, until both blockades were lifted on September 30, 1949. -
EO 9981 signed
Executive Order 9981, ending segregation in the United States military, is signed into effect by President Harry S. Truman. -
Truman wins first election as President
President Harry S. Truman rallies from behind, capturing his first presidential election from the supposed winner Thomas E. Dewey, the governor of New York. Headlines in national newspapers had overtly announced a Dewey victory, only to be proven wrong. -
Alger Hiss convicted of purgery
Alger Hiss, the former State Department official, is indicted for perjury in connection to denials of passing state secrets to a communist spy ring. -
Korean War/Conflict begins
The Korean War begins its three-year conflict when troops of North Korea, backed with Soviet weaponry, invade South Korea. This act leads to U.S. involvement when two days later, the United States Air Force and Navy are ordered by President Truman to the peninsula. On June 30, ground forces and airstrikes are approved against North Korea. -
China chases UN troops back to 38th parallel
United Nations forces retreat south toward the 38th parallel when Chinese Communist forces open a counteroffensive in the Korean War. This action halted any thought of a quick resolution to the conflict. -
Rosenberg's found guilty of espionage
Julius and Ethel Rosenberg were found guilty of conspiracy of wartime espionage and sentenced to death. They were executed on June 19, 1953. -
First Hydrogen Bomb
At Eniwetok Atoll in the Pacific Ocean, the first hydrogen bomb, named Mike, is exploded. -
Dwight D, Eisenhower (Ike) wins the Presidential Election
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Cold War Escalation
The Cold War continues in earnest when President Dwight D. Eisenhower approves a top-secret document stating that the U.S. nuclear arsenal must be expanded to combat the communist threat around the world. -
First color TV goes on sale
