Poster depicting a soldier and a list of battles
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 22.500 inches (57.15 cm) | Width: 16.000 inches (40.64 cm)
Creator(s)
- United States Government Printing Office (Printer)
- United States Office of War Information (Distributor)
Biographical History
The United States Office of War Information (OWI) was created on June 13, 1942, to centralize and control the content and production of government information and propaganda about the war. It coordinated the release of war news for domestic use, and using posters along with radio broadcasts, worked to promote patriotism, warn about foreign spies, and recruit women into war work. The office also established an overseas branch, which launched a large-scale information and propaganda campaign abroad. The government appealed to the public through popular culture and more than a quarter of a billion dollars' worth of advertising was donated during the first three years of the National Defense Savings Program. Victory in Europe was declared on May 8, 1945, and in Japan on September 2, 1945. The OWI ceased operation in September.
Archival History
The poster was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1988 by David and Zelda Silberman.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of David and Zelda Silberman
Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.
Scope and Content
This poster was the 62nd poster distributed by the United States Office of War Information during World War II. It was created to inspire hope and enlistments among the US public by listing the names of important battles showing the advance of Allied troops from the disaster of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941 to the battle of Tunisia which ended on May 13, 1943 when all the Axis forces in North Africa surrendered. Posters like this were created by the OWI and distributed to retail businesses which would hang them on the walls. The OWI’s goal was to place posters in the street-level windows of every store, office, and restaurant in every city and town across the United States. They created several series of posters which they printed and distributed to stores through collaboration with organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Lithographic, paper mailing poster folded into 4 sections. When unfolded, the front has a black and white graphic image depicting a soldier in right profile leaning forward, his left arm extended above his head, and his right hand holding a rifle with bayonet attached to his side. His head is turned looking backwards with raised eyebrows, large eyes, and his mouth open as if to shout. Written above in red is WE HAVE JUST BEGUN TO FIGHT! There is a block of gray text to the right listing names of battles. There is small black informational text along the bottom edge.
Subjects
- War posters, American.
- World War, 1939-1945--Posters.
Genre
- Object
- Posters