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The Office of Civil Defense (OCD) was originally established under the President as part of the Office of Emergency Preparedness in May 1941. It was created to coordinate state and federal measures to protect citizens in case of war emergencies. The federal government sponsored public service announcements to promote participation in the drills and blackouts … read more »

Betty Crocker was created by Marjorie Husted in 1921 as the face of the Washburn-Crosby flour milling company.  Betty Crocker served an important role in the company, serving as correspondent to their consumers seeking information and advice.  In 1924 Betty Crocker became the spokeswoman for the company’s daytime radio “BC Cooking School of the Air,” … read more »

A theater experience often included newsreels that provided much needed news on the progress of the war and an animated cartoon, often featuring Bugs Bunny or Daffy Ducky outsmarting a caricatured enemy. The government’s propaganda department urged Hollywood studios to use their influence to gain American support for the war. Many feature films of the … read more »

I recently purchased a used book on EBay, Good Girls, Good Food, Good Fun: the Story of USO Hostesses During World War II by Meghan K. Winchell. I was both excited and sadden when I opened it and read the inscription dated Dec. 2017. “Dear Denice, I hope this book will act as a reminder … read more »

Although millions of American women put on trousers and went to work when their workday was done they changed clothes and went about their day. Nazi occupation and regulation dramatically affected American fashion during WWII (and beyond). On June 14, 1940, Hitler invaded and occupied Paris, the center of fashion at this time. Important Houses … read more »

  On Jan. 6, 1941 FDR delivered his State of the Union address that came to be known as his Four Freedoms speech.  FDR proposed the four fundamental freedoms that all individuals should enjoy – Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, and Freedom from Fear. FDR’s speech, delivered 11 months before Japan … read more »