1940
U.S. peacetime conscription begins.
1941
December 7
Attack on Pearl Harbor.
December 8
U.S. enters WWII.
1942
Construction for O’Harra Memorial Building completed.
Mines establishes degree program in physics.
1943
February
School’s name changed to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
Degree programs offered in chemistry and geological engineering.
Campus used for Army Specialized Training Program; Prep Building becomes barracks and students found being a student could be back-breaking work.
Christmas music provided by “Strictly G-Ive.”
1944
Degree program established in mechanical engineering.
1945
End of WWII.
August 6 and 8
Atomic bombs dropped on Japan.
1947
Connolly Hall completed.
September
Earl Dake appointed acting School of Mines president, 1947-48, and again from 1953-54.
1948
July 15
Warren Wilson assumes School of Mines presidency.
June 3
First blast at Crazy Horse Memorial.
1949
August 24
North Atlantic Treaty Organization created.
