The Dutch East Indies colony surrendered the island of Java to Imperial Japanese forces.
The comic book 'Archie' was first published.
Daylight Saving started in the US.
Voice of America, the US' official external radio and television service, began broadcasting.
Nazi officials meet to organize the extermination of Jews.
Industrialist Henry Ford's method to construct auto bodies from plastic was patented.
Pan American Airlines completed its first round the world commercial trip.
The Duquesne Spy Ring, a Nazi German espionage network, was sentenced to prison.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a bill establishing the fourth Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day in the US.
The US Office of Censorship was created to control info relating to World War II.
Germany declares war on the United States.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his 'Day of Infamy' speech to the US Congress – a day after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.
Pearl Harbor was attacked.
Japanese Emperor Hirohito approved plans set forward by his advisors to go to war against the United States of America.
Tweety Bird makes its debut.
Adolf Hitler declared the imminent extermination of the Jews at a meeting in the Reich Chancellery.
The Albanian Communist Party was formed, with Enver Hoxha as its leader.
After 14 years of work, Mount Rushmore was completed.
Walt Disney's animated Dumbo was released in New York City, New York, US.
Hitler declared that all of Germany's Jews must be relocated, and Polish Jews found outside of their ghettos would be shot on sight.
Adolf Hitler's German military attacked Moscow.
Babi Yar massacre begins.
Jews in Germany over six years old were forced to wear the yellow star of David.
'The Midnight Snack' cartoon was released, making it Tom and Jerry's very first appearance.
The US aired its first-ever TV commercial.
Finland declared war on the Soviet Union after an air raid was launched on Finnish cities.
Germany invades the Soviet Union.
Washington National Airport became the US first federal airport.
The world's first programmable, fully automatic computer is presented.
Adolf Hitler's deputy, Rudolf Hess, parachutes into Scotland to broker a peace agreement.
German submarine U-110 was captured by the Royal Navy, who found an Enigma cipher machine onboard.
Bob Hope performed his first United Service Organization show at California's March Field for service members and their families.
General Mills introduced Cheerios.
The National Gallery of Art opens in Washington. D.C.
Captain America issue #1 comic was published by Timely Comics (which later became Marvel).
Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg discovered the chemical element Plutonium.
Peruvian ambassador Ricardo Rivera-Schreiber gave a warning that Japan would attack Pearl Harbor.
Pioneering English pilot Amy Johnson went missing after bailing out of her plane over the Thames River.
California's first freeway, Arroyo Seco Parkway, officially opened to traffic.
The worst German air raid of the Blitz occurred.
Nazis officially sealed off the Warsaw Ghetto.
Disney's animated feature 'Fantasia' was released to movie theaters in the US.
Benjamin O. Davis Sr. became the first African American US Army brigadier general.
Charlie Chaplin's satirical movie 'The Great Dictator' was released in the US.
The Blitz bombing of London's Balham Tube Station was bombed, killing over 60 people.
Tripartite Pact is signed.
17,000-year-old cave art was discovered in France.
Buckingham Palace, London, was blasted during The Blitz mass air bombings by Germany.
The Blitz began.
Adolf Hitler made plans to invade Britain starting on September 21, 1940.
