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 »
Rosie & WWII History
Betty Crocker: WWII’s Home Front Helper
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 »
Make Em Laugh: Film Comedians of WWII
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 »
The USO: A Home Away From Home
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 »
Fashion at War: How WWII Changed Women Fashion
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 »
Rockwell’s Four Freedoms on War Bond Tour
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 »
Rationing on the Homefront
Less than a month after Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor the federal government’s War Production Board issued an order that all production of civilian cars and trucks must cease. The last official day was February 22, 1942 (Although the last Ford car for private use rolled off the assembly line on February 10th.) Almost overnight … read more »
In World War II America, Female Santas Took the Reins
World War II brought many changes to Christmas traditions on the home front. Many Americans replaced freshly chopped trees with new American-made artificial Visca trees. They threw away their German and Exotic Japanese made decorations and bought Shiny Brite ornaments made by Corning Glass Works in New York or created homemade ornaments. Families put together … read more »
Thanksgiving, New York, 1942-44 Macy’s Cancels its Thanksgiving Day Parade for the War Effort
Just after Thanksgiving, on Dec. 7, 1941, the unthinkable happened. Pearl Harbor was bombed… America was thrust into WWII. Countless men, young and not so young, joined the armed forces. Women served in the Red Cross and took factory jobs to help keep tanks and airplanes rolling off the assembly lines. On Nov. 13, … read more »