The Year of 1941

Invention of the Jeep
During a time where World War II was plaguing the country, the United States army decided to arm themselves accordingly for what may be coming their way. They needed a vehicle which was rugged and versatile but moved expeditiously as well.  The army called upon the talents of many car companies to design such a model in the time restraints of 49 days. The first successful prototype was designed by Karl Probst and his team. They named the prototype the “Jeep.”  The name of the company is American Bantam Car Co. The media portrayed this invention to be a turning point in the war.  (Belles)

Mount Rushmore

What better way to honor the nation’s most prestigious figures than to put their faces on the side of a huge mountain. Doane Robinson thought these sentiments exactly. He is known as the “Father of Mount Rushmore.” He wanted to use Mount Rushmore to draw people from all over to gaze in amazement at the monument. Robinson collaborated with sculptor Gutzon Borglum, who named the Black Hills of South Dakota as the perfect location to place the monument. Robinson and Borglum had to team up with Congressman William Williamson and Senator Peter Norbeck to get congress to fund the idea. Mount Rushmore was completed October 31, 1941.

Pearl Harbor

One event that changed the American history was the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor which marked the beginning of World War II.  This occurred after Japan and the U.S relations became strained due to differences concerning China. The Japanese government allied their country with Nazi Germany in the Axis Alliance in 1940. More stress and strain led up to an attack that the U.S was not expecting. On December 7^th, around 6 am in the morning, the six Japanese carriers launched a first wave of 181 planes composed of torpedo bombers, dive bombers, horizontal bombers and fighters on to Pearl Harbor. This even alone was significant enough to begin one of the most major wars in history.  (pg 53)