1941

Overview

1941 was an ordinary year of the Gregorian calendar, which began on Wednesday. It is considered one of the deadliest years in human history, with an estimated 3.49 million conflict deaths.

### Events

#### January

* January 18: In the territory of Transylvania of North-East, occupied by Hungary following the Vienna Dictate, it was ordered that in all acts of civil status, the Romanian name be written with Hungarian graphics.
* January 19: World War II: British troops are attacking Italian-controlled Eritrea.
* January 21: World War II: Australian and British forces attack Tobruk in Libya.
* January 22: World War II: British troops capture Tobruk from the Italians.

#### February

* February 10: Britain breaks diplomatic relations with Romania and extends blockade measures.
* February 17: World War II: Polish Father Maximilian Kolbe is arrested by the Germans for his anti-Nazi writings and help with Jewish refugees. Kolbe will give his life in exchange for another prisoner at Auschwitz.
* February 18: In order to ensure the order troubled by the legionary rebellion in January 1941, Ion Antonescu initiated a series of decrees, including the Decree of 18 February 1941, whereby the country's most important institutions and businesses were militarised, whether owned by state or private.
* February 21: C.I.C. Brătianu, President of the National Liberal Party, recommends, through a letter, Antonescu not to engage Romania on the side of Germany.

#### March

* March 2-5: Following the Legionary Rebellion on 21-23 January 1941, Antonescu organizes the first plebiscite on domestic policy. 90% of voters ruled for the policy of the Antonescu government and against the legionnaires.
* March 11: World War II: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States of America, promulgates the Loan and Rent Act.
* March 17: In Washington, the National Gallery of Art is officially opened by President Roosevelt.

#### April

* April 1: The White Fountain massacre takes place, where Soviet troops kill between 2000 and 4000 Romanians trying to cross the border from the Soviet Union to Romania.
* April 6: World War II: Germany invades Yugoslavia and Greece.
* April 13: World War II: L

Notable Deaths

* Charles Lindbergh, aviator, testifies before the U.S. Senate on January 23
* Subhas Chandra Bose, Indian National Army leader, reaches Kabul, Afghanistan by successfully evading British authorities in British India on January 28
* Pierre Laval, French Prime Minister, is forcibly restored to office by the Nazis on March 3

World War II

1941 was a significant year in World War II. The war had been ongoing since September 1939, and it continued to escalate throughout the year.

* January: British troops attack Italian-controlled Eritrea, while Australian and British forces capture Tobruk from the Italians.
* February: Britain breaks diplomatic relations with Romania and extends blockade measures, while Polish Father Maximilian Kolbe is arrested by the Germans for his anti-Nazi writings and help with Jewish refugees.
* March: Franklin Delano Roosevelt promulgates the Loan and Rent Act, while the National Gallery of Art is officially opened in Washington.
* April: Germany invades Yugoslavia and Greece, leading to a significant escalation of the war.

Other Events

* January 4: The short subject Elmer's Pet Rabbit is released, marking the second appearance of Bugs Bunny, and also the first to have his name on a title card.
* February 5: The Air Training Corps is formed in the United States
* March 17: British Labour Minister Ernest Bevin calls on British women to fill vital jobs.

References

* Correlates of War project estimates that 1941 was the deadliest year in human history in terms of conflict deaths, with an estimated 3.49 million conflict deaths.
* The Correlations of War Project estimates that this is the most lethal year in mankind's history in term of conflict fatalities, putting the death count at 3.