Operation Torch
Commands the Allied landings in French North Africa, indirectly securing the Mediterranean route to Egypt and the Suez Canal.
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1942 in United States of America — Page 3
Explore 163 historical events and records for United States of America in 1942.
Historical records for United States of America in 1942
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 163 unique records.
163Unique records
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29Named events on this page
21Named people on this page
13Places on this page
November
Operation Torch
Supports Operation Torch, which opens a western front in North Africa and eases pressure on Egypt and Suez.
Operation Torch
American troops land at Casablanca, Oran & Algiers overcoming Vichy resistance
Vichy Government
American troops land at Casablanca, Oran & Algiers overcoming Vichy resistance
Industrial Scale Production Decision
The Military Policy Committee decides to bypass pilot stages for major production methods and proceed directly toward industrial-scale plants.
Manhattan Project
Groves and Oppenheimer visit Los Alamos, New Mexico and designate it as the location for "Site Y
Manhattan Project
Groves and Oppenheimer visit Los Alamos, New Mexico and designate it as the location for "Site Y
Site Y
Groves and Oppenheimer visit Los Alamos, New Mexico and designate it as the location for "Site Y
Site Y
Groves and Oppenheimer visit Los Alamos, New Mexico and designate it as the location for "Site Y
Birth of Martin Scorsese
Birth of Martin Scorsese
Birth of Jimi Hendrix
Birth of Jimi Hendrix
Capture of Oran
Captures Oran during the North African landings
Operation Torch
The Allies launch Operation Torch & jointly invade north Africa
December
Battle of Guadalcanal
Given command of all US forces in the campaign in Guadalcanal
Bethlehem Childrens Home Admission
Oswald entered the Bethlehem Children's Home on December 26, 1942, and remained there for about thirteen months.
Full Production Programme Approval
Roosevelt approves detailed plans for full-scale production facilities and atomic-weapon development.
Four Hundred Million Dollar Estimate
Roosevelt approves a greatly increased Manhattan Project cost estimate of about 400 million dollars submitted through Vannevar Bush.
Kellex Gaseous Diffusion Programme
Kellex is organised to design the gaseous-diffusion plant, with Percival Keith directing work on plant engineering and diffusion barriers.
Other events (month unknown)
Academy Award
Winner of the Academy Award for Best Direction for Mrs. Miniver
Alliance United States and partner not stated in source
Responsible within the Operations Division of the War Dept for the "US point of view"
Battle of Kasserine
Defeated by Rommel in Tunisia
Battle of Luzon
Defends the eastern part of Luzon
Battle of Midway
Commands the Enterprise-Hornet force
Battle of Wadi Bou Zid
As Commander of the II US Corps in Tunisia defeated by Rommel
Black Friar of the Flame
Asimov published Black Friar of the Flame, an early space adventure demonstrating his developing narrative style.
Capitol Records
Mercer founds Capitol Records, the 1st West Coast label
Chicago Pile Neutron Detectors
Builds and monitors neutron detectors used during Chicago Pile-1 experiments.
Chief of General Staff
Appointed Chief of General Staff, chief of the war plans division
Chief of General Staff
Appointed Chief of General Staff, chief of the war plans division
Commander in Chief
Appointed Commander in Chief
Commander in Chief
Appointed Commander in Chief
Commander of 2nd Corps
Appointed Commander of II Corps
Commander of 2nd Corps
Appointed Commander of II Corps
Commander of Alied Forces Northwest Africa
Appointed Commander of Allied forces in Northwest Africa
Commander of Alied Forces Northwest Africa
Appointed Commander of Allied forces in Northwest Africa
Commander of Tenth Corps
Appointed Commander of Tenth Corps
Commander of Tenth Corps
Appointed Commander of Tenth Corps
Commander of US Forces in China, Burma and India
Appointed Commander of US forces in China, Burma & India
Commander of US Forces in China, Burma and India
Appointed Commander of US forces in China, Burma & India
Commander of Western Tank Force
Appointed Commander of the Western Task Force during the North African Landings
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.