by Gina & Dana F.

The year 1943 was a year of many magnitudes. The second World War was underway, and many battles were fought. Many important battles were in the  North Africa, which led up to the surrender of Italy. ABC radio station is created, by the Life Saver millionaire Edward Noble and Edsel Ford, Ford Motor Company's president, dies at age 49, and Americans are told to "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without," due to the shoe rations for soldiers.

• The Pentagon is finally completed in a remarkable time of 6 months on January 15. It is one of the largest office buildings in the U.S.
• On April 13, The Thomas Jefferson Memorial was dedicated in memory of our third President.
• From April 19 until May 16 there was an uprising in the Warsaw Ghetto. During this twenty-day battle, started by the Jewish fighting forces, German troops entered the Ghetto and began a round of deportation of the Jews.
• Italy surrenders on September 3, 1943 after Allied forces invade the mainland of this country, and a series of warship battles take place. (Sept. 3, 1943)
• The Chinese Exclusion Acts were repealed on December 17 due to the fact that China was an ally towards the U.S. during WWII.
• During 1943, many new songs, movies, and dances debuted. Songs by famous singers like Frank Sinatra, and Bing Crosby were popular during this time.
• The Jitterbug became the popular dance craze. See the dance
• Penicillin, the "miracle drug," discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928, is developed for general use against infection.
• Race Riots broke out in Detroit factories because the increase of black employment due to the war.
• French oceanographer, Jacques-Yves Cousteau, made many under sea explorations. His invention of the Aqua Lung, in 1943, enabled people to stay underwater for a long period of time.
• The All American Girls Professional Baseball League is established by Philip K. Wrigley. The AAGPBL played from 1943-1954, and represented a unique time in baseball/softball history.
• The slinky was invented by accident when Richard James was trying to create a spring to keep ship instruments steady when at sea.

16^th Annual Academy Awards
Best Movie: Casablanca
Best Actress: Jennifer Jones in The Song of Bernadette
Best Actor: Paul Lukas in Watch on the Rhine

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1940s

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last updated 12/04/05