- Germany declares war on the United States.
- With the declaration of war, any communication between New York and Hamburg becomes impossible, and the Nazi government confiscates Steinway Pianofabrik in Hamburg as enemy property, placing it under the management of a Nazi lawyer, Dr. Gestefeld, whose decree initially limits the factory to building twenty instruments per month, and forces all buyers to be screened by Otto Krause, head of the “Reichsmusikkammer” (government music office).
- Nazi government confiscates Steinway & Sons store on Lutzowstrasse in Berlin, turning it into a Nazi office.