Today in World War II History—December 11, 1941
![Adolf Hitler declaring war on the United States at the German Reichstag, Berlin, 11 Dec 1941 [Photo: German Federal Archive Bild 183-1987-0703-507]](https://www.sarahsundin.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Germany-declares-12-11-41.jpg)
Adolf Hitler declaring war on the United States at the German Reichstag, Berlin, 11 Dec 1941 [Photo: German Federal Archive Bild 183-1987-0703-507]
US Marines repulse Japanese landing at Wake in the only successful repulsion of an amphibious landing by shore defenders of the war.
Isolationist “America First” committee is disbanded; the group had tried to keep America out of the war.
John Gillespie Magee Jr., an American serving in the RCAF, is killed in a midair collision over Lincolnshire (age 19) shortly after writing his famous poem “High Flight.”

Pres. Franklin Roosevelt signing the declaration of war against Germany, 11 Dec 1941; Senator Tom Connally at right marked the time of declaration (Library of Congress: LC-USZ62-15185)