January 20 - Franklin Roosevelt is inaugurated for his 3rd term as U.S President.
February 4 - The United Service Organization (USO) is formed to serve the social, educational, welfare and religious needs of members of the armed forces.
March 11 - The Lend-Lease Bill is signed in the U.S. which gives the President the power to lend arms and other war materials to any nation vital to U.S. interests.
March 16 - The National Gallery of Art opens in Washington, D.C..
June 13 - President Roosevelt freezes the assets of Germany and Italy in the U.S.
June 16 - President Roosevelt orders that all German consulates in the U.S. be closed by July 10.
July 7 - In an agreement to protect Iceland from German attacks, U.S. Marines land in Iceland.
July 25 - President Roosevelt freezes all Japanese assets in the U.S.
August 11 - Churchill and Roosevelt sign the Atlantic Charter which sets forth eight goals for the world and later will be the document establishing the United Nations.
October 30 - Reuben James is the first U.S. destroyer to be torpedoed and sunk while on convoy duty.
November 3 - Japanese Ambassador John Grew warns that the Japanese may be planning a sudden attack on the U.S.
November 19 - The first woman to sell securities on the floor of the New York Curb Exchange is Linda Darnel.
December 7 - The Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
December 8 - U.S. and Great Britain declare war on Japan.
December 11 - Germany and Italy declare war on the U.S.
December 17 - Admiral Husband Kimmel, commander of Pearl Harbor, is replaced by Admiral Chester Nimitz as commander of the Pacific Fleet.
December 19 - The Office of Censorship is created to control all matters involving information pertaining to the war.
December 20 - The Draft Act is signed by President Roosevelt.
