Washington, D.C.: The World War II Years
As the country prepared for World War II, the nation's capital became a focal point of activity. Washington residents witnessed the local population nearly double in a few short years, as a mostly female work force descended on the city, while its male population was sent off to combat in Europe and the Pacific. Washingtonians planted victory gardens, ran scrap drives, and suffered the effects of severe rationing along with the rest of the nation, while military personnel manned antiaircraft batteries around the city. New government agencies were created and existing ones expanded dramatically-most doubled their workforce and constructed hundreds of temporary facilities on the Mall and throughout the city. Washington also witnessed the construction of the largest office building in the world, the Pentagon, which was completed in just 16 months. Washington, D.C.: The World War II Years captures nearly 200 fascinating images from this era. These archival photographs chronicle the beginning stages of war preparation, little known civic defense organizations, VE and VJ celebratory parades, and the overall spirit of the continually persevering capital city.
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Contents
Acknowledgments
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6 |
The Pentagon
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23 |
Defending Washington
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41 |
Rationing Scrap Drives and Victory Gardens
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65 |
The Woman Workforce
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83 |
VE VJ Day and the Wars Aftermath
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111 |
Common terms and phrases
40mm antiaircraft gun African-American air raid shelter American Arlington Arlington National Cemetery atop attack on Pearl August blackout Bolling Field built Capitol celebrating VJ Day city residents city's Civilian Defense Constitution Avenue construction Dasch December draft effort employees Europe Evalyn Walsh McLean facility front gasoline government girls government workers headquarters image was taken interior Japanese June left to right Lincoln Memorial lines located Main Navy Marines Massachusetts Avenue massive metal military personnel million months Munitions Building National Mall Naval Navy and Munitions Navy Department Navy Yard November office building opened Park patriotic Pearl Harbor Pennsylvania Avenue Pentagon photographed Pictured Post President Roosevelt ramps ration cards School September Service servicemen stamps Street surrender temporary buildings Thomas Circle Treasury Building TRUCKS Truman Union Station United Victory Garden Virginia VJ Day WAACS Washington Monument Washington National Airport Washington Star Washingtonians White House women World World War II
References to this book
Slinging Doughnuts for the Boys: An American Woman in World War II James H. Madison Limited preview - 2007 |