1942 Facts for Kids

Millennium:	2nd millennium
Centuries:	19th century – 20th century – 21st century
Decades:	1910s 1920s 1930s – 1940s – 1950s 1960s 1970s
Years:	1939 1940 1941 – 1942 – 1943 1944 1945

The year 1942 was a time when many important things happened around the world. It was a key year during World War II, with big changes and events taking place across different continents.

Important Events of 1942
Famous People Born in 1942
Notable People Who Died in 1942
Movies Released in 1942
Images for kids
See also

Important Events of 1942

January 1 – During World War II, the name "United Nations" was first officially used to describe the group of countries fighting together against the Axis powers.
January 2 – World War II: The city of Manila in the Philippines was taken over by Japanese forces.
January 5 – Amy Johnson, a famous pilot, disappeared while flying over the River Thames estuary in England. It is believed she drowned.
January 6 – Pan American World Airways made history by becoming the first commercial airline to fly a plane all the way around the world.
January 7 – World War II: The Siege of Bataan began in the Philippines. This was a long and difficult battle.
January 11 – World War II: Japan declared war on the Netherlands and then invaded the Dutch East Indies, which are now known as Indonesia.
January 11 – World War II: The Japanese army also captured Kuala Lumpur, a major city in what is now Malaysia.
January 12 – President Franklin D. Roosevelt created the National War Labor Board. This group helped solve problems between workers and companies during the war to keep factories running smoothly.
January 13 – Henry Ford, who created the Ford Motor Company, received a patent for a plastic car. This car was much lighter than regular cars.
January 16 – A plane crashed near Las Vegas, and among those who died were the famous actress Carole Lombard and her mother.
January 19 – World War II: Japanese forces began their invasion of Myanmar, which was then known as Burma.
January 20 – World War II: In Berlin, Nazi leaders held the Wannsee Conference. Here, they made terrible plans for Jewish people, which involved moving them and later, sadly, killing them.
January 25 – World War II: Thailand declared war on both the United States and the United Kingdom.
January 26 – World War II: The first American soldiers arrived in Europe, landing in Northern Ireland. This was an important step for the United States in the war.
July 6 - The family of Anne Frank went into hiding in a secret annex in Amsterdam to escape the Nazis.
October 23 - World War II: The Battle of El Alamein began in North Africa, a very important battle for the Allies.