World Events
Japan captures Manila, Singapore, Rangoon, Mandalay and the Philippines. The British ships Prince of Wales and Repulse are lost.
- Battles of the Coral Sea in May and Midway in June bring USA naval victories over Japan.
- The first electronic computer is built in the USA.
Enrico Fermi contributes to atomic energy research with his work on artificial radioactive resources; helps split the atom in a controlled chain reaction which takes place on December 2 - on a volleyball field situated beneath Chicago's stadium.
- Magnetic recording tape is invented.