A decade of wars and new ideas about peace, this period in history marks a turn toward greater efforts among nations to work together for the common good.
1940
• Russo-Finnish War ends.
1941
• Japan attacks Pearl Harbor.
1942
• Mexico enters World War II on side of Western Allies.
1943
• Italy surrenders to Western Allies.
1945
• European theater of World War II ends.
• US drops atomic bomb on Japan; Japanese surrender to the Allies.
• Indonesia declares its independence from Holland; Sukarno becomes president.
• United Nations founded.
1946
• First edition of Spanish Herald
• New constitution in Brazil restores individual rights.
• Republic of Italy established.
1947
• Democratic Constitution goes into effect in Japan.
• Spanish translation of Science and Health
1948-1949
• Berlin blockade.
1949
• The Dutch, who had controlled Indonesia, recognize its independence.
• Press act in Sweden forbids any form of censorship
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization formed
• Denmark gives up a century-long tradition of neutrality and joins NATO.
