On the Fourth of July in 1942, the attack on Pearl Harbor was in the rear-view mirror.
In the past seven months, the number of men serving in the US armed forces had swelled to more than three million and women were beginning to take their place in the workplace.
On July 4th, 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt returned to Washington after spending a few days at his home in Hyde Park, New York.
Winston Churchill had been in Washington recently for war planning meetings.
On the Fourth, FDR had lunch with the commanders of the Army and Air Forces.
Planning America’s role in the war was ‘Job #1.’
All of Europe was then under German occupation or control through puppet governments and the Soviet Union was in retreat from defensive positions in Ukraine.
Elements of the US Air Forces stationed in England took part in their first raid against occupied Europe.
In the Pacific, General MacArthur was planning offensive operations against the Japanese.
The battle of Guadalcanal would begin in a month.
On the Fourth of July in 1942, America had been without a king for 166 years.
It was a day of celebration and recommitment to a government of, by and for the people.
Here are some pictures from that day.
Raising the flag at a California 4-H camp.
Greeting General Eisenhower, newly arrived in England, at a reception at London’s American Red Cross Club.
Watching the steer wrestling contest at a Greeley, Colorado, rodeo.
Riding the merry-go-round in Bridgeton, New Jersey.
Swimming at Boy Scout Camp in Florence, Alabama.
Clapping for the Boy Scouts’ ‘Buy War Bonds’ float in the parade in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Standing at attention at a big parade in Los Angeles.
Watching the motorboat races in Alton, Illinois.
Walking around the carnival in Farmington, Utah.
Listening to segregationist Governor Eugene Talmadge of Georgia speak in Atlanta.
And ogling the pretty girls competing in the ‘Miss Victory’ beauty contest at Pershing Square in Los Angeles.
These people, now mostly gone, would tell you that, in dark times, you need to hug your family and remember that, if democracy were easy, everyone would have it.
I’ll see you tomorrow.
— Brenda
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