Look Back To 1942: What Happened That Year

The Beveridge Report, soap on the ration and the first American troops arriving.

Here's 1942 in full - the music, the news, the screen, the sport and the ordinary details. Good for a birthday card, a party quiz round or a reminiscence session.

Popular music in 1942

• 'White Christmas' was written and recorded by Bing Crosby, becoming one of the best-selling records ever made.
• Glenn Miller's band was everywhere on American Forces Radio.
• Workers' Playtime began on the BBC in May, broadcast from factory canteens.

In the news in 1942

• The Beveridge Report, published in December, set out the plan that led to the welfare state.
• Soap was rationed in February; the utility clothing scheme began.
• The second Battle of El Alamein in October and November was the first major British land victory of the war.
• American troops began arriving in Britain in large numbers.

On screen in 1942

• In Which We Serve was released.
• Cinemas were open seven days a week in many towns.
• Newsreel coverage of El Alamein was the first good news in years.

In sport in 1942

• Wartime football internationals drew large crowds.
• Racing continued only at a handful of courses.
• Boxing was popular in the forces and often televised later in the decade.

Everyday life in 1942

• Utility marks appeared on furniture, clothing and household goods.
• Sweet rationing began in July.
• Dig for Victory turned parks, lawns and railway embankments into allotments.

If you were born in 1942

• Anyone born in 1942 was born the year the Beveridge Report set out the welfare state.
• They were six when the NHS started.
• Anyone born in 1942 turns 30 in 1972, 40 in 1982, 50 in 1992, 60 in 2002 and 70 in 2012.
• For a milestone card, the strongest line is usually the number one from the week they were born rather than the year's biggest events - it's personal, and it takes two minutes to find.
• For a reminiscence session, read one section at a time and stop on whatever gets a reaction. The point is the conversation, not the facts.

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How to write it so it lands

• The number one from the week they were born beats the year's headlines on a card.
• Read one section at a time in a reminiscence session and stop where the conversation starts.
• Use it as a guess-the-year round by reading three facts and hiding the date.

Where to shop next

• Look back to 1945
• Look back to 1944
• Look back to 1943
• Look back to 1941
• Look back to 1940
• The 1940s: the whole decade
• Wartime and 1950s party games
• Traditional British party games
• Pen and paper games
• Card games your nan taught you
• The 2020s so far
• The 2010s: the whole decade
• The 2000s: the whole decade
• The 1990s: the whole decade
• The 1980s: the whole decade
• The 1970s: the whole decade
• The 1960s: the whole decade
• The 1950s: the whole decade
• The 1930s: the whole decade
• The 1920s: the whole decade
• Decade calendar: every year from 1920
• Decade trivia: fun facts by era
• Decade trivia game: play for points
• Decade guides: books, films and TV by era
• Decade recipes: dishes and food trends by era
• Decade travel: destinations and holidays by era
• Decade tech: gadgets and computers by era
• Decade films: best movies and directors by era
• Decade art: artists, styles and trends by era
• Decade books: best novels, authors and reading trends
• Music by decade: albums, artists and songs
• Decade fashion: clothes, hair and accessories by era
• Nostalgia gift shop
• Retro party supplies
• Nostalgia birthday party by decade
• Nostalgia hamper and gift ideas
• Guess the year quiz
• Care home reminiscence quiz
• Reminiscence gifts for grandparents
• Milestone birthday cards
• Shop birthday cards
• Planning the party? Birthday party ideas
• How to make a balloon arch
• Photo booth prop ideas
• Pin badges
• All guides

Frequently asked questions

What was the Beveridge Report?

A 1942 report by William Beveridge proposing social insurance against what it called the five giants, which led to the post-war welfare state and the NHS.

When was 'White Christmas' recorded?

Bing Crosby recorded it in 1942 for the film Holiday Inn. It became one of the best-selling singles of all time.

How old is someone born in 1942?

Subtract 1942 from the current year. They turn 40 in 1982, 50 in 1992, 60 in 2002 and 70 in 2012.

Do you sell anything to do with this year?

We make greeting cards, art prints and pin badges in the UK, including milestone birthday cards. This page itself is free to read and free to copy.