Influence Of Sports In The 1940s

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1940s and Sports
In 1940 and 1944 the Olympic Games were cancelled because of World War II. The 1940 decade had a lot of ups and downs throughout the country including the bombing of Pearl Harbor and the integration of baseball. Sports in 1940s were heavily affected by historical, political, and social events.
1940s Historical, Political, and Social Events
United States entered World War II in 1941, not knowing how much it would effect the U.S. World War II depleted men because of all of the shortages. It also changed home life for many people, when women started going into the workforce, most of the women went for their husbands. The War also spread patriotism like a wildfire across the United States. Everyone started to become involved in helping and supporting the country. Another huge event in 1940s, was in 1948 when Executive Order 9981 was passed ending segregation across the country. Whites and Africans were now integrated into everything they do including: school, sports and any activities they did.
Sports
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Joe Louis was the heavyweight champion for the entire decade. He was the only boxer to ever hold the crown for that long” (Phibbs). Manuel Ortiz defended his featherweight title 8 times in 1943. Baseball was another sport that was widely talked about throughout the country. “In 1946 the Brooklyn Dodgers signed Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play Major League Baseball” (Phibbs). On that day baseball was changed forever. Baseball was now integrated, which means the Negro Leagues were starting to be closed. Basketball evolved a crazy amount in the 1940s also. In 1946 the NBA was finally founded. “George Mikan was pronounced NBA’s first superstar. He would average 21.3 points per game in the regular season and 27.5 in the postseason. He was the first person to ever average that amount in the regular and