Sports
Sporting events all around the world were disrupted by World War II. The 1940 and 1944 Olympic Games were cancelled because of the war. During World War II, numerous athletes served in the armed forces until the end of the war.
Baseball:
Baseball, like many sports in the 40's, was impacted by the war. in December of 1943, 347 major league baseball players were serving in the armed forces. Not only that, but the number of fans attending the games dropped by just over 1.1 million spectators, compared to 1942. Though they didn't have as many fans or players, they remained in good shape. The St. Louis Cardinals led the National league with a record of 105-49, and the New York Yankees won the American league pennant with a record of 98-56. |
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By the end of the season, Stan Musial was leading both leagues in the batting category. He had a batting average of .357, 108 runs, and 220 hits. Rudy York of Detroit led the American League with 34 homeruns and 118 runs batted in. And Bill Nicholson of the Cubs led the National League with 29 homeruns and 128 runs batted in.
In April of 1946, the MLB broke the color barrier and signed Jackie Robinson to the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was the first person of color to play major league baseball, and he easily proved himself to be one of the greatest players in history. His number, 42, was retired once he left. Later on, the Cleveland Indians signed Larry Doby. He too was African-American, and both he and Robinson were eventually inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Other inductees were: Jack Chesbro, Joe Tinker, Johnny Evers, Frank Chance, Rube Waddell, Ed Walsh, Jesse Burkett, “Iron Man” Joe McGinnity, Tommy McCarthy, Eddie Plank, and Clark Griffith. |
The world series was played in New York in 1949. The final game was between the New York Yankees and the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Yankees won, making it their twelfth World Series win.
Basketball:
In 1943, the Washington Bears won the United States professional basketball championship in Chicago. The Oshkosh All-Stars came in second, and Fort Wayne, who had won the National Professional League title came in third. And the Philedelphia Sphas won the title of the American Professional league championship.
Before the development of the Basketball Association of America(BAA), there was just the American Athletic Union (AAU). Some differences with this new league was that games would be held in stadiums that were also home to hockey rinks. Owners of these stadiums would not heat their buildings because of the ice, and many times games were cancelled due to puddles. Other changes were game times and fouls. Instead of playing 40 minutes and permitting 5 fouls like played with the AAU, the BAA played 48 minute games and allowed for 6 fouls.
The first year after the BAA became the National Basketball Association (NBA), George Mikan and the Minneapolis Lakers wont the championship.
In 1943, the Washington Bears won the United States professional basketball championship in Chicago. The Oshkosh All-Stars came in second, and Fort Wayne, who had won the National Professional League title came in third. And the Philedelphia Sphas won the title of the American Professional league championship.
Before the development of the Basketball Association of America(BAA), there was just the American Athletic Union (AAU). Some differences with this new league was that games would be held in stadiums that were also home to hockey rinks. Owners of these stadiums would not heat their buildings because of the ice, and many times games were cancelled due to puddles. Other changes were game times and fouls. Instead of playing 40 minutes and permitting 5 fouls like played with the AAU, the BAA played 48 minute games and allowed for 6 fouls.
The first year after the BAA became the National Basketball Association (NBA), George Mikan and the Minneapolis Lakers wont the championship.
Boxing:
While in the army, many men kept themselves busy by boxing. At least, that's what Joe Louis and Billy Conn did. After Willie Pep's 62 victory streak was broken, he enlisted in the navy. Manuel Ortiz shared possession of the featherweight title with Pep, defended his title at least 8 times in 1943. At the time, this was the record for title defense, not even rivaled by Joe Louis, the most active boxer at the time.
“Sugar Ray” Robinson held his welterweight title, however, after a 9 round match against Jimmy Doyle, Robinson won with a TKO which caused Doyle to be admitted to the hospital. He later died from his injuries. Doyle was warned by doctors not to fight but he didn't listen because he needed money to buy his mom a house. After his death, Robinson donated the winnings of his next 4 fights to Doyle's mother so she could buy the house Doyle promised her.
Joe Louis defended his heavyweight title against “Jersey Joe” Walcott, and was forced to fight him twice. However, many, including some officials, thought that the decision was unfair, and made Louis and Walcott fight again six months later. Louis prevailed again, and remained reigning heavyweight champion.
While in the army, many men kept themselves busy by boxing. At least, that's what Joe Louis and Billy Conn did. After Willie Pep's 62 victory streak was broken, he enlisted in the navy. Manuel Ortiz shared possession of the featherweight title with Pep, defended his title at least 8 times in 1943. At the time, this was the record for title defense, not even rivaled by Joe Louis, the most active boxer at the time.
“Sugar Ray” Robinson held his welterweight title, however, after a 9 round match against Jimmy Doyle, Robinson won with a TKO which caused Doyle to be admitted to the hospital. He later died from his injuries. Doyle was warned by doctors not to fight but he didn't listen because he needed money to buy his mom a house. After his death, Robinson donated the winnings of his next 4 fights to Doyle's mother so she could buy the house Doyle promised her.
Joe Louis defended his heavyweight title against “Jersey Joe” Walcott, and was forced to fight him twice. However, many, including some officials, thought that the decision was unfair, and made Louis and Walcott fight again six months later. Louis prevailed again, and remained reigning heavyweight champion.
On March 1, 1949, champion Joe Louis, formally announced his retirement from the National Boxing Association. He had defended his title 25 times over the course of 12 years, making him one of the busiest champions of all time.
“Sugar” Ray Robinson held his welterweight title, only having to defend it once, against the Cuban Kid Gavilan in Philadelphia. Ike Williams held onto his lightweight championship versus Mexico’s Enrique Bolanos and Chicago’s Freddie Dawson. Willie Pep once again regained his featherweight title against Harlem’s Sandy Saddler, and defended it from Eddie Compo. Manuel Ortiz kept ahold of the bantamweight championship, beating Dado Marino in Honolulu. |
Football:
The NFL played on despite the war. Every team except for the Cleveland Rams put men on the field during the regular schedule. Though the games weren't as good, attendance went up by approximately 32%.
In the Eastern division, the season resulted in a tie between the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins, forcing a playoff game. during the game, the Redskins crushed the Giants with a 28-0 shutout. The Chicago Bears won the Western division championship. In the league championship, the Bears proved themselves against the Redskins, winning 41-21.
The NFL played on despite the war. Every team except for the Cleveland Rams put men on the field during the regular schedule. Though the games weren't as good, attendance went up by approximately 32%.
In the Eastern division, the season resulted in a tie between the New York Giants and the Washington Redskins, forcing a playoff game. during the game, the Redskins crushed the Giants with a 28-0 shutout. The Chicago Bears won the Western division championship. In the league championship, the Bears proved themselves against the Redskins, winning 41-21.
In the NFL championship, the Chicago Cardinals defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 28-21.
The Western division was won by the Cardinals against the Chicago Bears. The 30-21 victory drew a crowd of 48,632 fans. In the Eastern division, Philadelphia won against the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-0.
In the All-America Football Conference (AAFC), the Cleveland Browns faced the New York Yankees, the football team, not baseball. The Browns eventually won 14-3. Sammy Baugh led the league in passing, Steve Van Buren in rushing and Mal Kutner in receiving.
The Western division was won by the Cardinals against the Chicago Bears. The 30-21 victory drew a crowd of 48,632 fans. In the Eastern division, Philadelphia won against the Pittsburgh Steelers 21-0.
In the All-America Football Conference (AAFC), the Cleveland Browns faced the New York Yankees, the football team, not baseball. The Browns eventually won 14-3. Sammy Baugh led the league in passing, Steve Van Buren in rushing and Mal Kutner in receiving.
The Philadelphia Eagles were led to victory in 1949 by Head Coach Greasy Neale. The Los Angeles Rams, coached by Clark Shuagnessy came in second.
The draft that year was full of future Hall of Famers. The Rams selected Norm Van Brocklin, while the Chicago Bears took George Blanda and Doak Walker went to Boston. The NFL Champion Eagles even found their future franchise player by drafting Chuck Bednarik.
The draft that year was full of future Hall of Famers. The Rams selected Norm Van Brocklin, while the Chicago Bears took George Blanda and Doak Walker went to Boston. The NFL Champion Eagles even found their future franchise player by drafting Chuck Bednarik.
Leisure
n the 1940’s entertainment was very exciting for people of America. There were new forms of entertainment like radio, television, and music. Music was very popular. Television was just as good, because it showed moving pictures and was really exciting things to watch. The common household wife shifted away from her 'cult of domesticity' and spent much of her time being entertained with the rest of her family. Even though a war was going on, the forties weren't all bad. The forties brought us the Slinky, Velcro, Jeep, and Tupperware. Diners also became a popular place for teens and adults alike to hang out in their respective parties.
Cars:
After the war was over, cars became much more luxurious since metals and fabrics no longer had to be put towards the war effort. So here's some pictures of cars.
After the war was over, cars became much more luxurious since metals and fabrics no longer had to be put towards the war effort. So here's some pictures of cars.
Toys:
Toys in the 40s were modeled off actual things adults would have. For instance, most toys made for boys involved fake guns and other military styled toys. Girls had baby dolls, doll clothes, fake kitchen sets,brooms, mops, tea sets, irons, ovens. Anything their mother's would have had, they had toys to match.
Toys in the 40s were modeled off actual things adults would have. For instance, most toys made for boys involved fake guns and other military styled toys. Girls had baby dolls, doll clothes, fake kitchen sets,brooms, mops, tea sets, irons, ovens. Anything their mother's would have had, they had toys to match.
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Other forms of entertainment for children included board games like Chutes and Ladders. The game originated in India and was originally called Snakes and Ladders but was brought to America in 1943 by Milton Bradley.
They also had electronic games, but they aren't like the electronic games we know today. Back then, a game was considered electronic if it had flashing lights or sounds. Ouija boards and spinning fortune tellers also became quite popular. |
Television:
In the 1940s, television started, stopped, started again and then took off. In the process, the new medium turned on the lives of rural residents connecting them to the rest of the world even more than newspapers or radio.
During World War II, the use of materials required to construct televisions were banned in order to save resources for the war effort. After the war, however, the use of television quickly became the most popular source of entertainment. Most families had televisions, and most families watched programs together.
In the 1940s, television started, stopped, started again and then took off. In the process, the new medium turned on the lives of rural residents connecting them to the rest of the world even more than newspapers or radio.
During World War II, the use of materials required to construct televisions were banned in order to save resources for the war effort. After the war, however, the use of television quickly became the most popular source of entertainment. Most families had televisions, and most families watched programs together.
The T.V. dinners, or frozen dinners, were popular fads in the 40's. This was because of two luxuries that the American public had already embraced. The refrigerator and television created a laid-back lifestyle that provided entertainment and simplicity for the modern housewife. To go along with the T.V. dinner, Tupperware was created. After it was created families were able to save their excess food and keep it in the new refrigerators.