Today in World War II History—Dec. 11, 1941

Adolf Hitler declaring war on the United States at the German Reichstag, Berlin, 11 Dec 1941 [Photo: German Federal Archive Bild 183-1987-0703-507]

75 Years Ago—Dec. 11, 1941: Germany and Italy declare war on US; US reciprocates.

US Marines repulse Japanese landing at Wake in the only successful repulsion of an amphibious landing by shore defenders of the war.

Isolationist “America First” committee disbanded.

John Gillespie Magee Jr., an American serving in the RCAF, is killed in a midair collision over Lincolnshire (age 19) shortly after writing his famous poem “High Flight.”