Did You Know

…that one little plant can be held responsible for saving a soldier’s life?
During World War II kids would go out to fields and pick little plants called milkweed. They would pick them by the dozen. Milkweed has fairly large pods filled with little silk pieces. The reason for picking these plants was for the soldier’s life vests. Those little pieces of silk were stuffed into life vests making them very buoyant, meaning to keep them afloat. (Photo: Milkweed Pods)

...that dogs were a major part of World War II?
There was a dog named Chips, Chips found 10 enemy solders sneaking down a beach and caught them. Chips also brought two Italian solders out of a hut with their hands up. Chip's only reward was a pat on the head by General Dwight David Eisenhower and Chips bit Dwight Eisenhower's hand. To learn more about this check out the book, Chip's of the K-9 Corps.

...that Gene Autry, "America's Favorite Cowboy," was rumored to be the only U.S. serviceman allowed to wear cowboy boots on duty.
More about Gene Autry

...that nursery rhymes helped a pilot find his way home?
One Flight Leader returning from the target, looked down on the circular formation of ships below and saw that his carrier was not in the position where he had left it. He called his ship--"Rub a dub dub. Where's my tub?" Back shot the answer-"Hey diddle, diddle, we're in the middle."

...that congress wanted to enact the "Sullivan Act" to prohibit members of the same family from serving in a combat zone at the same time? The five Sullivan brothers, Albert, Francis, George, Joseph and Madison all served together aboard the U.S.S. Juneau during World War II. The Juneau was sunk on November 13, 1942 by a Japanese submarine. Of the 600 crewmen on board, only 11 survived. For wartime America, the Sullivan brothers became the symbol of ultimate, heroic sacrifice and provided the reason for wanting to enact this new law. However, this was only talked about and never enacted.

...that General Benjamin O. Davis was the first African-American genreal officer in the U.S. military? His investigation of discrimination and racial disturbances brought to light the problems of a racially closed military.

...that there were "codetalkers"during World War II? The Marine Corp needed a way to communicate over telephone and radio that would be secure from Japanese deciphering. Navajo Indians were used as radiomen. The use of the complex Navajo language confused the Japanese who could not decode the messages sent by these "codetalkers". The "code" was never broken.

...that Walt Disney designed the logo for the WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) as a tribute to those women pilots of the Army Air Force? Click here to see logo.

...that the average minimum wage in the U.S. during the 1940s was $.43 per hour?

...that the antibiotic, penicillin, was discovered in 1940 and caused a big change in medical treatment and illness.

...that Victory Gardens provided 40% of the vegetable consumption on the homefront in the U.S?
By growing fruits and vegetables in small "Victory Gardens," Americans ensured that troops could use produce grown on larger farms. They not only provided the servicemen and women with food, but increased healthy eating habits of many city dwellers, also. "Victory Gardens" really helped to eased the burden of other food shortages caused by rationing of food items.

...the outbreak of war had temporarily threatened to close down the film industry in Britain?
For two weeks in September 1939 the cinemas were shut, a measure prompted by fears of mass death at the height of an air raid.

...that women quit being housewives and entered the work force?
Between 1941 and 1945, 6.5 million women entered the work force. They became riveters, welders, mechanics, and machine operators. They worked in defense plants, drove tractors, trucks and buses, and not only flew, but built airplanes. This was the start of the change in attitude toward women working outside the home that contributed to the women's liberation movement.

...that teenagers became a recognized economic group during the war?
With men off to war and mothers working full time outside the home, teenagers found jobs readily available and started having money to spend. Advertisers began ad campaigns aimed at teens and Seventeen magazine was started in 1944.

...Carole Lombard, famous American actress and wife of Clark Gable, was on tour selling war bonds for the war effort when she died in a plane crash?

...that Duke Ellington introduced Black, Brown, and Beige at New York's Carnegie Hall in 1943?
Duke Ellington introduced Black, Brown, and Beige at New York's Carnegie. In fact the seats wore velvet, and few African-Americans had played at Carnegie Hall before. Duke and his orchestra performed on January 23,1943. Duke had become a master maestro.

...that the Rose Bowl was moved from Pasadena, CA to North Carolina because of fear of Japanese attack?

...that five billion bottles of Coke were consumed by the military during World War II?

...that thirty-two recycled toothpaste tubes would provide enough tin for one airplane and that one recycle refrigerator would produce three machine guns?