On the other side of the pond the USS North Carolina is officially commissioned into the US Navy on 9 April 1941.
(Source: Robert M. Cieri via Navsource.org)
New York Navy Yard Commandant Adm. Edward J. Marquart speaking on Commission Day, 9 April 1941.
Front row seated, left to right:
Captain H.V. McKittrick, US Navy (Captain of the NY Navy Yard)
Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox
Rear Admiral Adolphus Andrews, commandant of the Third Naval District
Governor Broughton of North Carolina.
(Source: Mary Ames Booker via BattleshipNC.com and Navsource.org)
Commissioning day envelope
(Source: Navsource.org)
First day in commission envelope
(Source: Navsource.org)
10 April 1941 Newspaper clipping
(Source: Darryl L. Baker via Navsource.org)
Easter service program 13 April 1941. I reversed the image and here is the text from the first inside page:
We are making history here today for it is significant and memorable that the very first service of Christian fellowship and Divine Worship to be held in the NORTH CAROLINA happens on Easter Sunday morning.
By our presence here today, we are pledging ourselves to do our part to make the NORTH CAROLINA a good church ship, a happy ship, and a “home”.
(Source: Navsource.org)