Mark Scott Smith's Blog: Enemy in the Mirror, page 134

U.S. Air Defense Command – 1940

AIR DEFENSE COMMAND

In 1940, the United States Air Defense Command was established by the War Department and placed under the control of the First Army Commander.

via Factsheets : Air Defense Command.

2600th Anniversary Celebration of the Japanese Empire – 1940

2600th anniversary celebration of the empire; Wikimedia Commons.

Following the cancelation of the 1940 Tokyo Olympic Games, the anniversary of the founding of Japan by the mythical Emperor Jimmu was seen as an opportunity for a great celebration.

First Social Security Beneficiary – 1940

Social Security poster; Wikimedia Commons

Ida May Fuller was the first beneficiary of recurring monthly Social Security payments.

 

1940 Tokyo Olympic Games Cancelled

Olympic Games in Tokyo 1964

In 1936 the International Olympic Committee agreed to hold the 1940 Summer Olympic games in Tokyo, but, in the midst of war with China, Japan withdrew in 1938. It wasn’t until 1964 that the games were played in Tokyo.

 

Destroyers for Bases Agreement – 1940

The 1940 Destroyers for Bases Agreement  transferred fifty US Navy mothballed destroyers to Great Britain in exchange for military land rights in Newfoundland, Bermuda and the West Indies. The destroyers were named for cities common to both countries (e.g., Montgomery, Lancaster).

 

清水 宏 Nobuko – Shimizu Hiroshi 1940

Nobuko 1940

In this 1940 film directed by Shimizu Hiroshi, renowned actress Takamine Mieko plays Nobuko, a spirited young teacher who challenges a conservative school administration with her liberal teaching ideas.

Abbott and Costello – Who’s on First! 1940

 

FDR Requests $1.3 Billion for Army & Navy – 1940

FDR 1940; Wikimedia Commons

“We have had the lesson before us over and over again-nations that were not ready and were unable to get ready found themselves overrun by the enemy. So-called impregnable fortifications no longer exist. A defense which allows an enemy to consolidate his approach without hindrance will lose. A defense which makes no effective effort to destroy the lines of supplies and communications of the enemy will lose.”

- FDR address to Congress May 1940.

 

Japanese Diet Approves Record High Military Expenditures – 1940

In 1940, the Japanese Diet announced a record high budget with over half its expenditures being devoted to the military.

American High School Girls – 1940

WavingGirls1940; Wikimedia Commons.

In contrast to their Japanese counterparts, these American school girls on the way to a WPA camp in Louisiana wore no uniforms.