I do not look upon these United States as a finished product. We are still in the making. – Franklin D. Roosevelt Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945; also known by his initials, FDR) was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war. The only American president elected to more than two terms, he forged a durable coalition that realigned American politics for decades. FDR defeated incumbent Republican Herbert Hoover in November 1932, at the depths of the Great Depression. FDR’s combination of optimism and activism contributed to reviving the national spirit.Working closely with Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin in leading the Allies against Germany and Japan in World War II, he died just as victory was in sight. ‘The Peoples Car’ - The VW Beetle becmes a huge hit.
Events World War II Ends! Hitler commits suicide (April 30); Germany surrenders (May 7); May 8 is declared V-E Day. San Francisco Conference establishes the United Nations (April–June). Potsdam Conference (Truman, Churchill, Stalin) establishes basis of German reconstruction (July–Aug.). US drops atomic bombs on Japanese cities of Hiroshima (Aug. 6) and Nagasaki (Aug. 9). Background: nuclear weapons Japan signs official surrender on V-J Day (Sept. 2). FDR dies (April 12) and Harry S. Truman becomes president. Manhattan Project tests first atomic bomb in Alamogordo, New Mexico (July 16).
Mildred Pierce is voted best movie of ‘45
A B-25 bomber flies into the Empire State Building, damaging the 78th and 79th floors and killing 13 (July 28).
Miss America:
Economics
The FCC creates the commercial broadcasting spectrum of 13 channels, and receives 130 applications for broadcast licenses.
US GDP (1998 dollars): $223.2 billion Federal spending: $92.71 billion Federal debt: $260.1 billion Dow Jones High/Low: 195/155 Consumer Price Index: 18 Unemployment: 1.9% Cost of a first-class stamp: $0.03
World Series
Detroit d. Chicago Cubs (4-3)
Oscars awarded in 1945
Academy Award, Best Picture: Going My Way (Paramount) Nobel Prize for Literature: Gabriela Mistral (Chile)
Bess Myerson (NY)
Movies The Lost Weekend, Mildred Pierce, National Velvet, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, Spellbound
Music Gene Autry, “At Mail Call Today” Bing Crosby, “Aren’t You Glad You’re You?” Judy Garland, “This Heart of Mine” King Cole Trio, “The King Cole Trio” Glenn Miller, “Glenn Miller” Carousel soundtrack Frank Sinatra, “Put Your Dreams Away”
Books W. H. Auden, The Collected Poems Gwendolyn Brooks, A Street in Bronzeville Miss America - Bess Myerson
Mildred: That Ted Forrester’s nice-looking, isn’t he? Veda likes him. Monte: Who wouldn’t? He has a million dollars. Page 26 November 1, 2010 THE MILITARY PRESS
Meeting Franklin Roosevelt was like opening your first bottle of champagne; knowing him was like drinking it. – Winston Churchill
How Much things cost in 1945
During the final stages of World War II in 1945, the United States conducted two atomic bombings against the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan
Cost of a gallon of Gas 15 cents Average Cost for house rent $60.00 per month Average Cost New Car $1,020.00 Men’s Shirt $2.50
Average Cost of new house $4.600.00 Average wages per year $2,400.00
Popular Culture “Your Lucky Hit Parade” Broadcast For The First Time Orwell published his anti-Stalinist allegory Animal Farm, Arthur C. Clarke puts forward the idea of a communications satellite in a Wireless World magazine article. Steve Martin August 14th -- Waco, Texas, United States Percy Spencer accidentally discovers that microwaves can heat food In 1945 only 5,000 homes have Television Sets
Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few. – Winston Churchill
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November 1, 2010 THE MILITARY PRESS Page 27