A new year always makes me reflect on new beginnings and think back to old beginnings. Songbird begins on May 28, 1943. As we look forward to 2015, let’s look back to 1943!
In 1943, the average family income was $2,000.
The average cost of a new home was $3,600.
A new car cost about $900, and a gallon of gas cost about 15 cents.
The Pentagon was completed and considered to be the world’s largest office building.
Frank Sinatra debuted on the radio.
The U.S. executed its first air attack on Germany during World War II.
The U.S. began rationing shoes, cooking oil, canned foods, meat, cheese, and butter.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered a 48-hour minimum work week in the war industry.
Japanese troops evacuated Guadalcanal, which ended the fierce fighting on the Solomon Islands in the Pacific.
The Women’s Marine Corps was created.
The Office of War Information began censoring movies.
Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini resigned in Italy.
The Allied leaders of the United States, Great Britain, and the Soviet Union met for the first time in Iran.
Withholding tax on wages began.
German Africa Korps and Italian troops fighting in Africa surrendered to Allied forces, giving the Allies over 275,000 prisoners of war. (Some of these POWs ended up at Ft. McClellan in Anniston, AL!)
General Dwight Eisenhower was named Supreme Commander of the Allied forces.
The New York Yankees won the World Series.
Happy New Year! May God bless you in 2015!