Today in World War II History—October 9, 1941

Leaders of the S-1 project consider the feasibility of the 184-inch cyclotron at University of California, Berkeley, March 29, 1940: left to right: Ernest O. Lawrence, Arthur Compton, Vannevar Bush, James B. Conant, Karl Compton, Alfred Loomis (US Department of Energy photo: HD.1A.018)
80 Years Ago—Oct. 9, 1941: President Roosevelt approves Vannevar Bush’s program to research the possibility of atomic weapons.
Pro-German president Arnulfo Arias of Panama is overthrown in a US-supported bloodless coup, replaced by Ricardo de la Guardia.
A week-long test of US air defense network begins: 40,000 civilian aircraft spotters of Aircraft Warning System search for “enemy” bombers with searchlights & artillery sights.

US Army 16-inch gun guarding Panama Canal Zone, 1939 (US Army photo)