Today in History: Lend-Lease Act

Lend-lease share of 1942 food supply
Today in History–October 23–the Library of Congress features the Lend-Lease Act. On this day in 1941 the U.S. stepped closer to direct involvement in World War II when the Senate passed a $5.98 billion supplemental Lend-Lease bill. The Lend-Lease Act, passed in March, 1941, gave President Roosevelt nearly unlimited power to provide the Allies with material aid without officially taking sides. The United States entered the war less than two months later following the December 8, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Find out more about the Lend-Lease Act by visiting the Today in History section and checking out the resources below.

Senate Passed a Supplemental Lend-Lease Bill October 23, 1941 from America’s Library

The Lend-Lease Act March, 1941

Lend-lease bill historical newspaper articles 1940-41

Lend-lease historical newspaper articles 1942-45

Images of the Lend-Lease Act in action

The Struggle for Civilization Herblock cartoon April 18, 1941

Lend-lease mentions in the Foreign Affairs Oral History Collection

World War II primary source collections & teaching resources