January 1941

Thursday 02:

The U.S. government announces its Liberty ship program with a stated goal of building 200 freighters. Over 2,700 ships will eventually be constructed by the end of the war.

Monday 06:

Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivers his Four Freedoms Speech in the State of the Union Address.

Friday 10:

Lend-Lease is introduced into the U.S. Congress.

Sunday 19:

World War II: British troops attack Italian-held Eritrea.

Tuesday 21:

World War II: Australian and British forces attack Tobruk, Libya.

Wednesday 22:

World War II: The United Kingdom captures Tobruk from Nazi forces.

Thursday 23:

Charles Lindbergh testifies before the U.S. Congress and recommends that the United States negotiate a neutrality pact with Adolf Hitler.

Saturday 25:

Pope Pius XII elevates the Apostolic Vicariate of the Hawaiian Islands to the dignity of a diocese. It becomes the Roman Catholic Diocese of Honolulu.

Monday 27:

World War II: Fighting at Derna, Libya, begins Following the capture of Tobruk 2 brigades of the 6th Australian Division under Major General Iven Mackay pursued the Italians westwards and encountered an Italian rear guard at Derna.