What Happened in 1942
Interesting Facts About 1942
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26 Allied nations signed a pledge to uphold the Atlantic Charter and to work together to defeat the Axis. This marked the first official use of the term “United Nations.”
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On June 12, 1942, Anne Frank received an autograph book from her father for her 13th birthday. That book became her diary.
1942 Pop Culture & Fun Facts
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The song, "White Christmas" debuted in the film Holiday Inn and quickly became a best-selling wartime anthem, offering a sense of nostalgic comfort.
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Due to wartime blackouts, there was no lit New Year’s Eve Ball at One Times Square in 1942 and 1943.
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President Gerald Ford worked as a male model in his late 20s. He was featured on the cover of Cosmopolitan in 1942.
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Pinball machines were banned in New York City from 1942 to 1976 because lawmakers viewed them as games of chance—akin to gambling—and believed they were unfairly taking money from children.
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Casablanca premiered in New York in late 1942 — a film that became an enduring classic.
1942 Inventions & First Appearances
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Physicist Enrico Fermi, under the University of Chicago’s football stadium, achieved the first self-sustaining nuclear reaction — a critical breakthrough in atomic energy.
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The U.S. military introduced the bazooka, a shoulder-fired rocket launcher used against tanks and fortified positions.
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The Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC) was built in 1942 and is considered by some to be the first electronic digital computer
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Invented by Harry Coover of Eastman Kodak, cyanoacrylate adhesive (Super Glue) was initially developed for military applications, specifically for making clear lenses for gunsights.
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Duct tape was invented in 1942 for use by the U.S. Army as a waterproof sealing tape.
Sports Highlights of 1942
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“The Brown Bomber” Joe Louis remained heavyweight champ, continuing exhibition fights to boost troop morale. He had joined the U.S. Army in 1942.
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World Series Champions: St. Louis Cardinals
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NFL Champs: Washington Redskins
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Stanley Cup Champs: Toronto Maple Leafs
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U.S. Tennis (Men/Ladies): Fredrick Schroeder, Jr./Pauline Betz
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Wimbledon (Men/Women): not held
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U.S. Open Golf: Not held due to WWII
Top Songs of 1942
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White Christmas – Bing Crosby
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(I've Got a Gal in) Kalamazoo – Glenn Miller and His Orchestra
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Sleepy Lagoon – Harry James and His Orchestra
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Jersey Bounce – Benny Goodman
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Don't Sit Under the Apple Tree (With Anyone Else but Me) – The Andrews Sisters
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Tangerine – Jimmy Dorsey and His Orchestra
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I'll Be with You in Apple Blossom Time – The Andrews Sisters
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Moonlight Cocktail – Glenn Miller
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Deep in the Heart of Texas – Alvino Rey Orchestra
Top Movies of 1942
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Casablanca – Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, romantic wartime drama and all-time classic.
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Mrs. Miniver – Oscar-winning film showing the strength of a British family during WWII.
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Yankee Doodle Dandy – Musical biopic of composer George M. Cohan, starring James Cagney.
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Holiday Inn – Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire star in this musical that introduced “White Christmas.”
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Bambi – Disney’s emotional animated film, beloved for generations.
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Now, Voyager – Romantic drama starring Bette Davis.
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Woman of the Year – Katharine Hepburn and Spencer Tracy in their first on-screen pairing.
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The Pride of the Yankees – Biopic of baseball legend Lou Gehrig, starring Gary Cooper.
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Random Harvest – Romantic drama involving memory loss and war.
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Road to Morocco – Bob Hope and Bing Crosby continue their comedic “Road to…” series.
FREE 1942 Year You Were Born Printable
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