2011 World War II 70th Anniversary

World War II 70th Anniversary Mint Sheet

This mint sheet from the Marshall Islands commemorates ten important events of 1941 that led to America’s involvement in World War II. It was issued on December 7, 2011, the 70th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. 

It includes:

Burma Road
Served as a vital supply route to the interior of China.
 

America’s First Peacetime Draft
The Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 requires men from age 21 to 35 to register at their local draft boards.
 

The “Great Arsenal” Speech
President Roosevelt pledges “the material resources of this nation” to our allies.
 

Lend-Lease Act
The U.S. distributes $50 billion worth of supplies to Allied forces.
 

The Atlantic Charter
In August 1941, Roosevelt and Churchill call for destruction of “Nazi tyranny.”
 

U.S.S. Reuben James Sunk by German U-boat
The destroyer is the first U.S. Naval ship sunk.
 

Office of Civil Defense Formed
Agency recruits and trains volunteers and planned evacuations in case of attack on American soil.
 

Liberty Ships
Industrialist Henry Kaiser delivers over 6,000 Liberty and Victory ships which ferried supplies across the ocean.
 

Pearl Harbor Attack
On December 7, 1941, Japan attacks the U.S. Naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
 

America Declares War on Japan
Congress declares war on Japan on December 8 and the U.S. enters World War II.