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World War II

Washington, D.C. Passengers, drivers, and dogs were tired by the time they reached the gas pumps on the day before stricter gasoline rationing went into effect

Poor Dog Waiting in Line For Gas Rations

I saw this photo and I had to share it. This is a photo from June 21st, 1942. We were in the early days of World War II and in the middle of rationing. This poor pup was sitting with his owner...
Visibility zero unless you lend your binoculars to the navy

U.S. Navy Needs Your Binoculars for World War II

Between 1936 and 1943 the Work Projects Administration (WPA), about 2,000 posters were designed to promote the arts, community activities, and used for education. The Library of Congress has digitized 907 of these posters. The one below is one of...

Fascinating World War II U.S. Army Documentary About Alexandria

Now this is an interesting old film we found on YouTube. It’s a bit long, but if you’re from Alexandria, you’ll find it entertaining and recognize quite a few of the old buildings. What do you think? Did you recognize...
Austrian flag

Austria Owes D.C. World War II Taxes

On this date, 50 years ago, The Washington Post printed a story about the government of Austria owing the District back taxes on their embassy for lack of payment during World War II. The building in question was at 2343 Massachusetts...
tanks rolling down Pennsylvania Ave. NW

Hundreds of Tanks Rolling Down Pennsylvania Avenue

This is definitely (hopefully) something you would not see today. It’s a large parade of tanks heading from the Capitol Building towards the White House. Source: National Geographic The caption claims it’s 1947, but the discussion on Reddit seem to...
Photograph of President Truman and French President Charles de Gaulle, during welcoming ceremonies on the White House lawn, with officers saluting in the background. (August 22nd, 1945)

Charles de Gaulle: First White House Visitor Following World War II Peace

Americans love France, but we hate the French. Okay, maybe hate is a strong word, but we do have a very bizarre relationship with France. It’s kind of unfair, given that they pretty much legitimized the Revolution and helped us...
Washington, D.C. Salvage drive, Victory Program. Schoolboy volunteers to go from house to home collecting scrap paper

Mt. Pleasant Paperboys Collect Scrap Paper on Ingleside Terrace for the War Effort

Back from lunch? Check this cool photo out from World War II. This is a great photo of some schoolboys going door to door on what appears to be Ingleside Terrace in Mount Pleasant in May 1942. What do you...
Washington, D.C. Sailor taking a picture of his girlfriend at a monument in front of the Capitol on a Sunday afternoon

World War II Sailor Photographs Girlfriend in front of the Capitol Building

I wonder what happened to this couple. It’s possible that this photo was staged for the war effort. Also, take a look at the soldiers milling about in the background. This photo reminds me of this one, also from World...
Hitler salutes the troops

Nazi Connection to State Department Statue

An athletic-themed statue outside of the State Department is marked with few words — but it has an interesting history. Discobolus is a bronze copy of a fifth century B.C. Greek sculpture by Myron.  You’ll see similar copies around the world....
1943. On maneuvers in wartime Washington. "A soldier and a woman in a park, with the Old [Russell] Senate Office Building behind them." 4x5 Kodachrome transparency, photographer unknown. Office of War Information.

Man Ogles Woman Near Russell Building (1943)

We’re sharing a ton of great old photos this week and this is a great moment, frozen in time from 1943. It’s a shot of a soldier, sitting near a woman posing for a photograph. If you look closer at...
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