The decade of the forties has links to the pages of ten graduating classes starting with 1940 and ending with 1949.

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As the decade of the forties began on Jan. 1, 1940:

Top Headline of the Quarter:
PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT SUBMITS A BUDGET OF $8,400,000,000, WHICH INCLUDES SOME $1,800,000,000 FOR DEFENSE MEASURES. MUSSOLINI MEETS HITLER AT THE BRENNER PASS AND AGREES TO JOIN GERMANY AND THE OTHER AXIS POWERS IN THE WAR AGAINST BRITAIN AND FRANCE.

Prices:
House $6,558, Car $810, Milk $.51, Gas $.18, Bread $.08, Stamp $.03, Average Income $1,906, Dow 131.

President: Franklin Roosevelt  Vice President: John Garner

In 1940, the following made headlines:

Nazi Germany successfully invades Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France in quick succession. France is divided into a northern occupied zone and a collaborative Vichy regime in the south.

California opens Los Angeles' first highway, the Arroyo Seco Parkway; within 30 years, Los Angeles will become a city of automobiles.

Crooner Frank Sinatra joins the Tommy Dorsey Band, and his star quickly rises.

As the decade of the forties closed on Dec. 31, 1949:

Top Headline of the Quarter:
THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT IS AMENDED TO INCREASE THE MINIMUM WAGE TO 75 CENTS AN HOUR FROM 40 CENTS, TO GO INTO EFFECT JANUARY 1950. THE NOBEL PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY GOES TO WILLIAM F. GIAUQUE. PRINCE RANIER IS CROWNED THE 30TH MONARCH OF MONACO.

Prices:
House $14,300, Car $1,650, Milk $.94, Gas $.27, Bread $.14, Stamp $.03, Average Income $3,569, Dow 200.

President: Harry Truman  Vice President: Alben Barkley

From the Quill Annuals of the forties:
The following are thumbnails. Selecting one will bring up a larger picture.

           
      1945                             1945