On this day

March 31, 1942

Revisit the news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.

Portrait 1080 × 1920 PNG · created on your device

Filter by:

Headlines from March 31, 1942

WARSHIPS BATTLE ON ARCTIC ROUTE; ALLIES IN AUSTRALIA CLAIM AIR RULE; PACIFIC COUNCIL SET UP IN WASHINGTON; FIGHT OFF NORWAY Nazis Lose Destroyer -- Report 2 Allied Ships Sunk, Cruiser Hit OWN SEA LANES RAIDED British Pilots Attack 4 Vessels, Probably Sinking One and Setting Another Afire

By Telephone To the New York Times

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, March 30 -- A strong United Nations convoy on the way from New York to Murmansk, Russia, was attacked three times by German dive-bombers and warships -- twice on Saturday and once yesterday -- it was announced officially in Berlin tonight.

None0 words

BANKER'S NEPHEW KILLED BY POLICE; East Side Man Is Shot After Attempted Hold-Up -- His Woman Companion Held BANKER'S NEPHEW IS KILLED BY POLICE

By Unknown Author

Assoc Driving School hold-up attempt; R Prisco killed; S White held

None0 words

British Attack 4 Ships; FIGHT OFF NORWAY IS WAGED BY SHIPS BLOWS EXCHANGED IN NORTHERN WATERS

By Unknown Author

Germans attack Allied Murmansk-bound convoy; claim 2 ships sunk and Brit cruiser hit, German destroyer sunk, Northern Ice Sea; Brit admit cruiser Naiad sunk; London sources place battle off North Cape, Norway; RAF attacks 4 German ships carrying supplies for forces being massed in Norway; hit 2; Hudson bomber damaged by grazing ship top; map

None0 words

City Investigates Lyons on Kern Tip; Mayor Will Testify in Flynn Case; CITY INVESTIGATES LYONS ON KERN TIP

By Unknown Author

Herlands investigates Kern charges against Lyons and his Pub Works Comr R L Moran; grand jury starts hearings; Kern and 2 Herlands investigators testify

None0 words

Two Decisions on Picketing; STATE RIGHTS SET ON PICKET ISSUES

By Lewis Woodspecial To the New York Times

Rules on State cts jurisdiction over peaceful picketing, Bakery and Pastry Drivers (AFL)-H Wohl and L Platzman and Carpenters and Joiners Union (AFL)-Ritter's Cafe cases

None0 words

Notable Births

1942Ulla Hoffmann, Swedish politician^[†]

Ulla Hoffmann is a Swedish Left Party politician. Hoffmann was interim party leader for a short while in 2003 following the resignation of party leader Gudrun Schyman. Gudrun Schyman was forced to resign due to tax irregularities. She was a member of the Riksdag from 1994 to 2006.

1942Hugh McCracken, American guitarist and producer (died 2013)^[†]

Hugh Carmine McCracken was an American rock guitarist and session musician based in New York City, primarily known for his performance on guitar and also as a harmonica player. McCracken was additionally an arranger and record producer.

1942Michael Savage, American far-right radio host and author^[†]

Michael Alan Weiner known by his professional name Michael Savage, is an American author, political commentator, activist, and former radio host. Savage is best known as the host of The Savage Nation, a nationally syndicated talk show that aired on Talk Radio Network across the United States until 2021, and in 2009 was the second most listened-to radio talk show in the country with an audience of over 20 million listeners on 400 stations across the United States. From October 23, 2012, to January 1, 2021, Michael Savage had been syndicated by Cumulus Media and Westwood One. He holds master's degrees from the University of Hawaii in medical botany and medical anthropology, and a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in nutritional ethnomedicine. As Michael Weiner, he has written books on nutrition, herbal medicine, and homeopathy; as Michael Savage, he has written several political books that have reached The New York Times Best Seller list.

Historical Events

1942World War II: Japanese forces invade Christmas Island, then a British possession.^[†]

World War II or the Second World War was a global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies and the Axis powers. Nearly all of the world's countries participated, with many nations mobilising all resources in pursuit of total war. Tanks and aircraft played major roles, enabling the strategic bombing of cities and delivery of the first and only nuclear weapons ever used in war. World War II is the deadliest conflict in history, causing the death of 70 to 85 million people, more than half of whom were civilians. Millions died in genocides, including the Holocaust, and by massacres, starvation, and disease. After the Allied victory, Germany, Austria, Japan, and Korea were occupied, and German and Japanese leaders were tried for war crimes.