On This Day

Historical Events in 1941 (Part 4)

Events 601 - 635 of 635

  • Dec 15 The American Federation of Labor adopts a no-strike policy in war industries.
  • Dec 16 Sarawak occupied by Japanese forces
  • Dec 17 Dutch & Australian troops land on Portuguese Timor
  • Dec 17 German submarine U-31 sunk

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Dec 17 German troops led by Erwin Rommel begin retreating in North Africa

German WWII Field Marshal Erwin Rommel
German WWII Field Marshal
Erwin Rommel
  • Dec 17 World War II: Beginning of the Siege of Sebastopol.
  • Dec 18 44 surviving crewmen of German U-434 surrender to the HMS Blankney after scuttling their wounded submarine. Two are lost.
  • Dec 18 Japanese troops land on Hong Kong
  • Dec 19 German submarine U-574 sinks

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Dec 19 Adolf Hitler takes complete command of German Army

Dictator of Nazi Germany Adolf Hitler
Dictator of Nazi Germany
Adolf Hitler
  • Dec 19 US Office of Censorship created to control info pertaining to WW II
  • Dec 20 Free France under adm Muselier occupies St-Pierre et Miquelon
  • Dec 20 Japanese troops land on Mindanao, Philippines
  • Dec 20 World War II: First battle of the American Volunteer Group, better known as the "Flying Tigers" in Kunming, China.
  • Dec 21 Chicago Bears Ray McLean makes last NFL drop kick for an extra point

Sport awardNFL Championship

Dec 21 National Football League Championship, Wrigley Field, Chicago: Chicago Bears beat New York Giants, 37-9; first team in NFL championship game era (since 1933) to win consecutive titles; Bears 5th title overall

American Football Player Mel Hein
American Football Player
Mel Hein

  • Dec 21 David Diamond's 1st Symphony premieres
  • Dec 21 German submarine U-567 sinks
  • Dec 22 Japan's invasion leader lands on Luzon, Philippines

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Dec 22 Tito establishes 1st Proletarian Brigade in Yugoslavia

President of Yugoslavia and Revolutionary Josip Broz Tito
President of Yugoslavia and Revolutionary
Josip Broz Tito

Conference meetingConference of Interest

Dec 22 Winston Churchill arrives in Washington, D.C. for a wartime conference

Soldier, Author and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill
Soldier, Author and British Prime Minister
Winston Churchill
  • Dec 22 1942 NFL Draft: Bill Dudley from University of Virginia first pick by Pittsburgh Steelers
  • Dec 23 American forces on Wake Island surrender to Japanese
  • Dec 23 British troops overrun Benghazi, Libya
  • Dec 23 Japan begins assault on Rangoon, Burma

Sinking ShipAttack on Pearl Harbor

Dec 24 First ships of admiral Nagumo's Pearl Harbor fleet return to Japan

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USS Arizona ablaze and sinking after the attack on Pearl Harbor
USS Arizona ablaze and sinking after the attack on Pearl Harbor
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  • Dec 25 Japan announces surrender of British-Canadian garrison at Hong Kong
  • Dec 25 Japanese aircraft carriers Akagi/Kagu back in Kure, Japan
  • Dec 26 Winston Churchill becomes first British Prime Minister to address a joint meeting of the US Congress, warning that Axis would "stop at nothing"
  • Dec 27 Japan bombs Manila even though it was declared an "open city"

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Dec 27 Dmitri Shostakovich completes his 7th Symphony in Siberia

Composer Dmitri Shostakovich
Composer
Dmitri Shostakovich
  • Dec 28 State of siege goes into effect in Bohemia and Moravia
  • Dec 30 Nazis require Dutch physicians to join Nazi organization

The Taming of Winston ChurchillThe Taming of Winston Churchill

Dec 30 In an emotional speech to the Canadian Parliament Winston Churchill states Britain will never surrender to "Hitler and his Nazi gang" and that "they have asked for total war. Let us make sure they get it". Afterwards Yousef Karsh captures him in his famous photograph, "The Roaring Lion".

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The Roaring Lion, Winston Churchill
The Roaring Lion, Winston Churchill
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  • Dec 31 Young Park (2) in the Bronx named in honor of Samuel Young

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