Introduction:
The year 1943 was filled with trials and tribulations, as well as an abundance of incredible and historic events. World War II was in full swing, and the world experienced a great array of momentous occasions, from astronaut Chuck Yeager’s first flight that broke the sound barrier to the creation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. From politically defining speeches to the development of penicillin, the events that transpired in 1943 were by no means mundane.
Let’s take a look at 15 interesting facts you may not know about the year of 1943.
Fact 1: Winston Churchill Delivers His ‘Iron Curtain’ Speech
In March of 1943, the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, delivered a politically defining speech at Westminster College in Missouri. In this ‘Iron Curtain’ speech, Churchill announced the beginning of the Soviet Union’s policy of Global Containment which outlined a series of policies of self-isolation and control within the Eastern Europe. This event prompted the setup of the NATO alliance and was seen as the start of the Cold War.
Fact 2: The Battle of the Komandorski Islands
On March 26, 1943, Japan and the United States carried out one of the most remarkable naval battles of World War II. The ships of the United States Navy attempted to intercept Japanese merchant vessels travelling from the Kuril Islands to the main islands of the Empire. As the only naval battle in the Aleutian Islands campaign, the Battle of Komandorski Islands was noted for its bravery and valor.
Fact 3: Chuck Yeager Breaks the Sound Barrier
On October 14, 1943, Chuck Yeager, an American combat pilot, became the first person to fly an aircraft faster than the speed of sound. Yeager piloted an airplane at speeds of 1,127 kilometres per hour, while reaching an altitude of 12,000 feet. This feat of aviation made Yeager an international hero and helped challenge the existing ideas of aeronautical engineering.
Fact 4: Nanking Massacre Occurs
On December 13, 1937, Japanese forces gained control of the city of Nanking in China. What followed was one of the most infamous events of the second Sino-Japanese War – The Nanking Massacre. Japanese forces carried out the systematic murder of 300,000 to 500,000 Chinese civilians and military personnel. This horrific episode in history is also referred to as the ‘Rape of Nanking’.
Fact 5: Detroit Race Riot
On June 20, 1943 an event known as the Detroit Race Riot occurred and lasted until June 22. This racial conflict began because of an altercation between African-American and white youths at Belle Isle Park, and quickly spread to the streets of Detroit. The violence saw the involvement of both African-American and white groups who engaged in looting and destruction. 43 people were killed and numerous were injured.
Fact 6: The Battle of Stalingrad Ends
One of the bloodiest battle of World War II, The Battle of Stalingrad, took place between August 1942 and February 1943. At its conclusion, the battle saw the surrender of a German military force of roughly 91,000 soldiers. This was a major Allied victory, as this saw the decline of Germany’s military objectives on the Eastern front of the war.
Fact 7: The Creation of the Manhattan Project
In 1943, the Allied forces launched the Manhattan Project, a classified research and development programme that sought to develop the first nuclear weapons. The program was based on the research of nuclear physicist in the US and UK. The Manhattan Project was successful in producing the world’s first nuclear weapons, which later saw deployment during World War II.
Fact 8: The Battle of Tarawa
The Battle of Tarawa was the first American offensive in the central Pacific region which was crucial to the American victory over Japan. This 78-hour long battle in November 1943 saw the US Marines Corps seize the heavily defended Japanese island of Betio. This offensive saw the US Marine Corps employ the use of amphibious tanks, which allowed them to gain the advantage against the heavily fortified island.
Fact 9: General Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Becomes Supremem Commander
In February of 1943, General Dwight D. Eisenhower was chosen as the Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe. Eisenhower went on to successfully organize and lead the Allied forces during the war, eventually leading to the liberation of Europe from Nazi occupation. After the war, Eisenhower became the 34th President of the United States.
Fact 10: The Teheran Conference Takes Place
In November of 1943, the United States, United Kingdom and the Soviet Union gathered in the Iranian capital, Tehran, for the Teheran Conference. This meeting between the Allied forces was the first meeting between President Roosevelt and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. Here, the Alliedforces decided to focus their efforts on opening a second European frontline against Germany, as well as establishing the post-war leadership in Eastern Europe.
Fact 11: Battle of Guadalcanal Ends
The Battle of Guadalcanal, which lasted from August 1942 to February 1943, ended with an Allied victory. This battle was a crucial land, sea and air campaign in the Pacific theatre and marked the first significant American victories in the Second World War. The battle resulted in the death of almost 15,000 Japanese soldiers and over 7,000 Americans and Australian soldiers.
Fact 12: The Novorossiysk-Taman Offensive
The Novorossiysk-Taman spell of the Second World War ended in September 1943. This offensive began in late February and was a crucial event in the liberation of the Crimea peninsula from Nazi occupation. The offensive proved to be successful, as it weakened the existing Nazi forces and gave the advantage to the Red Army.
Fact 13: Creation of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge
In December of 1943, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was established in Alaska. Covering an area of 88,326 km squared, the refuge includes 19.5 million hectares of coastal plains, mountains and tundra. The refuge allows for the protection of a variety of plant and animal life.
Fact 14: The King David Hotel Bombing
On July 22, 1943, a bomb planted in the King David Hotel in Jerusalem by the Zionist militant organization Irgun, exploded which resulted in the death of 91 people and injured over forty-five. This act of terrorism was targeted at the British forces located at the hotel and was carried out as a response by the Zionist to the British mandated control over Palestine.
Fact 15: The Discovery of Penicillin
On February 12, 1943, Scottish-born scientist Dr. Alexander Fleming, discovered the antibiotic substance penicillin. This antibiotic was made from a mould that Fleming noticed growing on a laboratory dish, which he had left out. This discovery marked the first time that an antibiotic was developed and used on humans.
Conclusion
The year of 1943 was a dramatic and momentous year, filled with incredible events and achievements. From the creation of the atomic bomb to the cessation of the Battle of Stalingrad, 1943 provided a variety of historic moments, that, in one way or another, has impacted the world we live in today.
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