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Glossary
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United States
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1919–1938
27
1939
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1940
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1941
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1943
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1944
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1945
109
1940
May
13
“Blood, toil, tears and sweat”
On 13 May 1940, in his first speech as prime minister, Churchill offered the Commons “blood, toil, tears and sweat”. The House backed him by 381 votes.
June
04
“We shall fight on the beaches”
On 4 June 1940 Churchill reported to the House of Commons on Dunkirk and declared that the British would fight on the beaches and never surrender.
14
The shooting down of the Kaleva
On 14 June 1940 Soviet bombers shot down the Finnish airliner Kaleva from Tallinn over the Gulf of Finland. Nine died, including an American courier.
July
10
Roosevelt calls for rearmament
On 10 July 1940 Roosevelt asked Congress for $4.85 billion for defence. That summer the US voted for a two-ocean navy and prepared its first peacetime draft.
22
The Havana Conference
On 21–30 July 1940 American foreign ministers met in Havana and resolved that the colonies of defeated European states must not pass into German hands.
August
14
The Tizard Mission
On 14 August 1940 Henry Tizard flew across the ocean. His mission gave neutral America British secrets, including the cavity magnetron behind new radars.
16
The draft destroyers-for-bases deal
On 16 August 1940 Roosevelt announced US talks with Britain on bases. Behind the scenes, a swap of 50 old destroyers for leased bases hung in the balance.
20
“Never was so much owed by so many to so few”
On 20 August 1940 Churchill reviewed a year of war in the House of Commons and paid tribute to the RAF airmen to whom so many owed so much.
September
02
The destroyers-for-bases agreement
On 2 September 1940 Hull and Lothian exchanged notes. The US gave Britain 50 old destroyers and got 99-year base leases, partly in exchange, partly as a gift.
16
The first peacetime draft in the United States
On 16 September 1940 Roosevelt signed the Burke–Wadsworth Act. The neutral United States introduced conscription in peacetime for the first time.
27
Key event
The Tripartite Pact
On 27 September 1940 in Berlin, Germany, Italy and Japan concluded a ten-year alliance aimed at the United States. It was meant to deter America from war.
October
16
Draft registration in the United States
On 16 October 1940 more than 16 million American men aged 21–35 registered for the draft. That month the US also reorganised army command at home.
19
The Italian air raid on Bahrain
On the night of 18–19 October 1940 four Italian SM.82s from Rhodes bombed the refinery in Bahrain and Saudi Dhahran, then landed in Eritrea.
30
Roosevelt in Boston: “Your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars”
On 30 October 1940 Roosevelt promised in Boston that Americans’ sons would not go to foreign wars. The day before, the first draft number had been drawn – 158.
November
05
Roosevelt elected to a third term
On 5 November 1940 Roosevelt became the first US president to win a third term, beating Willkie by 449 electoral votes to 82. London hoped for more help.